MBT LAW
Encyclopedia
The Main Battle Tank and Light Anti-tank Weapon (MBT LAW) is a disposable, shoulder fired, short range fire-and-forget
anti-tank missile system.
, using technology derived from the BILL 2
(warhead and guidance), and AT4 CS (confined space capability) systems. It is a soft-launch system, allowing it to be used from within an enclosed room. In this system, the rocket is first launched out of launcher using a low powered ignition. After the rocket travels several meters into flight, its main rocket ignition occurs which propels to rocket from there on, to the target.
The portable, short range, fire-and-forget system will enter service in 2009, as the NLAW (Next Generation Anti-tank Weapon), to replace the British Army's existing LAW 80
system that is reaching its obsolescence, as well as the ILAW (AT4 CS) (Interim Lightweight Anti-tank Weapon) which is in current deployment as a substitute for the period in which the MBT-LAW is yet to be deployed. Deliveries began in December 2008.
Fire-and-forget
Fire-and-forget is a third-generation method of missile guidance. The military uses the term for a type of missile which does not require further guidance after launch such as illumination of the target or wire guidance , and can hit its target without the launcher being in line-of-sight of the...
anti-tank missile system.
Overview
The MBT LAW was developed by Saab Bofors DynamicsSaab Bofors Dynamics
Saab Bofors Dynamics, located in Karlskoga and Linköping, Sweden, is a subsidiary of Saab AB that specializes in military materiel such as missile systems and anti-tank systems....
, using technology derived from the BILL 2
BILL 2 Anti-tank guided weapon
The BILL 2 Anti-Tank Guided Weapon is a man-portable or vehicle-mounted guided anti-tank missile using the overfly top attack method to attack the weaker parts of an armoured vehicle. The weapon is currently in service with the Swedish Army.-Design:...
(warhead and guidance), and AT4 CS (confined space capability) systems. It is a soft-launch system, allowing it to be used from within an enclosed room. In this system, the rocket is first launched out of launcher using a low powered ignition. After the rocket travels several meters into flight, its main rocket ignition occurs which propels to rocket from there on, to the target.
The portable, short range, fire-and-forget system will enter service in 2009, as the NLAW (Next Generation Anti-tank Weapon), to replace the British Army's existing LAW 80
LAW 80
The LAW 80 , sometimes erroneously referred to as LAW 94, is a man-portable, disposable anti-tank weapon currently in use by the British Army and a few other militaries.-Description:...
system that is reaching its obsolescence, as well as the ILAW (AT4 CS) (Interim Lightweight Anti-tank Weapon) which is in current deployment as a substitute for the period in which the MBT-LAW is yet to be deployed. Deliveries began in December 2008.
Specifications
- Caliber: 115/150 mm
- Weight: 12.5 kg
- Muzzle velocity:
- Initial: 40 m/s
- Maximum: Subsonic
- Range:
- Minimum: 20 m
- Maximum: 1000 m
- Guidance: Predicted Line Of Sight (PLOS) / inertial guidance
- Warhead: Combined overfly top attackTop attackA top attack device is designed to attack armoured vehicles from above, as the armour is usually thinnest at the top. Ideally, it will penetrate perpendicular to the attacked surface. The device may be delivered by a missile, artillery shell, or even an emplaced munition...
/ direct
Operators
- Finland announced missile orders in 2007 worth a total of 38 M€. In Finnish service the missile is designated 102 RSLPSTOHJ NLAW:: In Swedish service the missile is designated RB 57.: The MBT LAW was selected in May 2002 for the British ArmyBritish ArmyThe British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
Next-generation Light Anti-tank Weapon (NLAW) requirement. The system will replace the ILAW and LAW 80LAW 80The LAW 80 , sometimes erroneously referred to as LAW 94, is a man-portable, disposable anti-tank weapon currently in use by the British Army and a few other militaries.-Description:...
.