Vehicle Integration between Carl-Gustaf M4 and Trackfire RWS : A concept study on mechanical solutions

Abstract: Saab Dynamics is a division of Swedish company Saab AB, offering solutions, products, and services for military defence. Included in the Saab Dynamics portfolio is the Carl-Gustaf recoilless rifle; a man-portable, reusable, anti-tank weapon system. Another Saab produced system is the Trackfire Remote Weapon Station; a remotely operated weapon and sensor system, purposed for use on all types of military platforms. Armoured vehicles used by the Swedish Armed Forces are sometimes equipped with remote weapon stations that aim to provide the vehicle crew with protection, by allowing them to operate the weapons from inside the vehicle. These weapon stations can integrate a selection of different weapons, but there are currently no systems in operation that allow integration of the Carl-Gustaf system. This project was initiated based on a request from the Life Guards, for an integrating system between the Carl-Gustaf M4 and a remote weapon station. The project was conducted at Saab Dynamics, Karlskoga, in cooperation with Karlstad University, and aimed to generate suggestions of vehicle integration between the Carl-Gustaf M4 and a remote weapon station. The project was performed as a product development process, using a systematic method for construction and design to develop concept solutions of an integrating system between Carl-Gustaf M4 barrels, and the Trackfire RWS. The report includes a literature study, performed during a feasibility study, on the three systems: Carl-Gustaf weapon system, remote weapon stations, and wheeled armoured vehicles. Recoil principles and interior ballistics of recoilless rifles are further explained and applied to the study. The feasibility study resulted in a specification of requirements, which was used as a foundation for the concept development.  Concepts of solutions were generated and eliminated using a brainstorming session, a morphological matrix, elimination matrices, and decision matrices. One concept was chosen as the final concept solution; a concept comprised of a construction that enables integration of four Carl-Gustaf M4 barrels on the Trackfire RWS, while dampening the recoil that comes from firing a gun. The construction was modelled and analysed using 3D design and engineering platform 3DExperience. Analyses revealed a strong construction that withstands forces arising when a weapon is operated, yet further analyses on how the construction would manage subjection to long-term vehicle vibration and weapon operation are required. Construction dimension optimisations are encouraged, as well as further development of construction details. Recommendations and suggestions on how to proceed with the system integration are provided as a final part of the report.