КМП США начал получать системы M3E1/M3A1 MAAWS

1 июля 2021 года Командование Систем Корпуса Морской Пехоты США (MCSC -- Marine Corps Systems Command) сообщило, что пехотные подразделения Корпуса начали получать новые безоткатные орудия M3E1/M3A1 MAAWS (Multi-Role Anti-Armor Anti-Personnel Weapons System) (вариант шведского безоткатного орудия Carl-Gustaf M4 для Департамента Обороны); для сравнения Армия США уже поставляет в свои пехотные подразделения системы MAAWS уже примерно последние два года. Первая партия серийных орудий MAAWS была доставлена одному из подразделений КМП в Кэмп Леджен (Camp Lejeune) (Сев. Каролина) в мае этого года, вероятно для оснащения пехотных подразделений 2-го полка маринов (2nd Marine Regiment).

M3E1/M3A1 MAAWS это многоцелевое оружие пехотного отеделения предназначенное для уничтожения бронетанковой техники, фортификационных сооружений и укрытой/открыто расположенной живой силы противника, а также для выполнения дополнительных задач (подсветка поля боя, целеуказание, постановка дымовых завес). В отличии от базового безоткатного орудия M3 MAAWS (поступило на вооружение в 1980-ые годы, долго время использовалось только подразделения Командования Специальных Операций США (USSOCOM), однако в 2010-ые годы было принято и на вооружение в Армии США) новая модель M3E1/M3A1 MAAWS оснащена новыми прицельными приспособлениями, само орудие стало компактнее и легче в сравнении с предшественником, разработанного на базе орудия Carl-Gustaf M3. Думаю следует ожидать расширение боекомплекта орудий типа MAAWS за счет принятия на вооружение ряда новых боеприпасов.

Морпехи отмечают, что безоткатные орудия M3E1/M3A1 MAAWS дополнят, но не заменят ручные пусковые установки ракет семейства Mk 153 SMAW (Shoulder-launched Multi-purpose Assault Weapon), которые до сих пор находятся на вооружении Корпуса (более того, в настоящее время выполняет программа производства нового варианта ПУ SMAW --  Mk 153 Mod 2 SMAW Mod 2). Также MAAWS дополнят одноразовые гранатометы семейства M72 LAW, до сих пор серийно выпускающиеся и поставляемые и Армии, и КМП США.

Согласно текущим планам поставки орудий M3E1/M3A1 MAAWS в регулярные (активные) пехотные подразделения КМП завершатся в 2023 году, а в подразделения Резерва КМП США (USMCR) -- в 2024 г, в итоге к 2025 году каждый батальон КМП США получит на вооружения орудия M3E1/M3A1 MAAWS.

 

Морские пехотинцы (марины) из регулярного подразделения (2-й полк, 2-я дивизия Морской Пехоты) осваивают безоткатные орудия M3E1/M3A1 MAAWS, Кемп Леджен (Сев Каролина), 6 мая 2021 года:

210506-M-RQ720-1229 - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Sebastien Auguste, a Long Island, N.Y. native, and instructor for the Advanced Infantry Course at the School of Infantry-East, utilizes the M3E1 Multi-purpose Anti-armor Anti-personnel Weapon System (MAAWS) to engage targets during a live-fire training with 1st Battalion, 2d Marine Regiment (1/2), 2d Marine Division (2d MARDIV) on Camp Lejeune, N.C., May 6, 2021. 1/2 is tasked as 2d MARDIV’s experimental infantry battalion to test new gear, operating concepts and force structures. The unit’s findings will help refine infantry battalions across the Marine Corps as we continue to push toward the end state of Force Design 2030. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Emma L. Gray).

210506-M-RQ720-1057 -- U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. David Beggel, a Warwick, N.Y. native, and a squad leader with 1st Battalion, 2d Marine Regiment (1/2), 2d Marine Division (2d MARDIV), familiarizes himself with the functions of the M3E1 Multi-purpose Anti-armor Anti-personnel Weapon System on Camp Lejeune, N.C., May 6, 2021. 1/2 is tasked as 2d MARDIV’s experimental infantry battalion to test new gear, operating concepts and force structures. The unit’s findings will help refine infantry battalions across the Marine Corps as we continue to push toward the end state of Force Design 2030. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Emma L. Gray).

полный размер.

пресс-релиз MCSC:

CHANGING THE FIGHT: MARINE CORPS FIELDS NEW ROCKET SYSTEM TO INFANTRY MARINES
1 JUL 2021 | Matt Gonzales, Marine Corps Systems Command

QUANTICO, Va. --
Marines have begun receiving a new, explosive rocket launcher that provides additional protection and lethality in urban environments.

In May, Marine Corps Systems Command began fielding the M3A1 Multi-Role Anti-Armor Anti-Personnel Weapons System to infantry Marines in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. The MAAWS is a reloadable, recoilless rocket system intended to supplement existing shoulder-fired rocket capabilities.

“The MAAWS is a reusable, long-range weapon that provides the capability to destroy armored vehicles, structures and fortifications, which will be useful for infantry Marines,” said Capt. Christopher Adsit, MCSC’s project officer for the MAAWS.

The system consists of the M3A1 Carl Gustaf Recoilless Rifle, a fire-control system and a backup reflex sight Marines can use if the primary optic malfunctions. It includes munitions that provide obscuration, illumination, anti-personnel, armor penetration, bunker- and hardened-facility penetration, and other destruction capabilities.

“It has the ability to fire [illumination], smoke and airburst-style rounds,” said Chief Warrant Officer 4 David Tomlinson, MCSC’s infantry weapons officer. “The capability will allow the warfighter to engage the enemy in defilade, reinforced bunkers and buildings.”

     “The rocket system will change the way the infantry squad fights.”
     - Chief Warrant Officer 4 David Tomlinson, MCSC’s infantry weapons officer

The MAAWS is augmenting the Mk153 Shoulder-Launched Multipurpose Assault Weapon, a rocket system initially fielded to Marines in 1984 before undergoing several modifications in the 2000s. The Marine Corps has used the SMAW to destroy armored vehicles, bunkers and other fortifications.

However, the MAAWS can engage enemies at farther distances when compared with the SMAW. The MAAWS can also hit moving targets with the aid of its fire control system, increasing the accuracy and overall lethality of infantry squads.

Adsit said the MAAWS will also supplement the explosive power of the M72 Light Anti-Tank Weapon, a portable, one-shot anti-tank weapon. The additional rounds available to the MAAWS increase a squad’s options for target engagement.

“This new rocket system shoots farther than any of our current shoulder-launched rocket systems,” said Adsit. “It significantly increases the shoulder-fired rocket range.”

Earlier this year, new equipment, live-fire training events at the Schools of Infantry East and West enabled nearly 100 Marines to test the weapon. The MAAWS was well-received among participating Marines, including Sgt. David Beggel, a squad leader with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment.

“When we do urban operations, we carry a rocket because you don’t know what kind of enemy we’ll have, what capabilities they’ll have,” said Beggel. “This gives us a wide range of opportunities and assets that we can use to destroy a vehicle or take out [the enemy].”

Increasing the lethality of Marines helps the Marine Corps meet future force design goals. Tomlinson said the overall capabilities of the MAAWS allows platoons to operate in more dispersed environments, supporting Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. David Berger’s vision for lower-level units to control more battlespace area.

“The MAAWS is important because it gives the squad an enhanced capability with increased lethality and will bring a greater combined-arms solution to the enemy,” said Tomlinson. “The rocket system will change the way the infantry squad fights.”

Tomlinson said all Fleet Marines will receive the MAAWS by the end of 2023 and Reserve Marines by 2024. He projects every Marine Corps battalion to have the weapon in their arsenal by 2025.

источник (архив).

 

210506-M-RQ720-1184 - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Andrew Ritchie, a Macomb, Mich. native, an armorer with School of Infantry-East, utilizes the M3E1 Multi-purpose Anti-armor Anti-personnel Weapon System to engage targets during a live-fire training with 1st Battalion, 2d Marine Regiment (1/2), 2d Marine Division (2d MARDIV), on Camp Lejeune, N.C., May 6, 2021. 1/2 is tasked as 2d MARDIV’s experimental infantry battalion to test new gear, operating concepts and force structures. The unit’s findings will help refine infantry battalions across the Marine Corps as we continue to push toward the end state of Force Design 2030. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Emma L. Gray).

полный размер.