AT4


M136


Overview


AT4

US Army personnel firing an AT-4 during training.
Source: US Army - © Public domain

Origin
Sweden
Type
Rocket launcher (disposable)
Entered service
1987
Status
In service
Development
Early 1980's
Developer
Sweden - Bofors
Production
1980's - present
Producer
Sweden - Bofors
United States - ATK
Unit cost
About $ 1.500 for AT4 model
Number produced
Over 600.000
Designations
M136 (United States)
Anti Blindé Léger / ABL (France)
Panserværnsvåben / PVV M/95 (Denmark)
Short Range Anti Armour Weapon / SRAAW (Ireland)
L2A1 I Interim LAW / ILAW (United Kingdom)
Notable users
United States

Description


Introduction

The AT4 is a rocket launcher of Swedish origin. It was developed by Bofors to replace the earlier Miniman and to offer a sort of disposable single shot Carl Gustav. The AT4 is a potent weapon but will not piece the most modern main battle tank armor over the frontal arc. A much larger version which was able to do that, called the AT12, was being developed, but was cancelled as the Cold War came to an end.

Design

The AT4 is a preloaded single shot weapon that is disposed once used. The design is based on the earlier Miniman, but features a larger caliber rocket. The larger caliber allows for a larger warhead and 84mm was chosen in order to reuse many components from the Carl Gustav recoilless rifle. The smoothbore rigid launch tube is made from fiberglass. The launch tube includes a forward grip, flip up sights with adjustable rear sight and trigger button. Various types of warheads exists. All warheads are also produced in a form that uses the Davis countershot principle for use in confined spaces.

Firepower

The original version uses a HEAT warhead of similar design as used on the Carl Gustav. The penetration is over 400 mm RHA. Other versions with HEDP and extra high penetration are also available. The effective range is 300 meters with the maximum range being 500 meters.

Users

The main user of the AT4 is the US military. It was adopted as the M136 and remains in use today. The AT4 was also acquired by many European and various nations around the world. The AT4 will likely remain in production even though more capable anti-armor weapons such as the MBT LAW are entering production.

Variants


The AT4 started out with only a single model. Over time variants were developed with new warhead types or a different firing method. Whereas the regular AT4 uses a backlast launch method, the Confined Spaces (CS) variants use a countershot principle. All CS models can be identified by their straight launch tube, whereas the conventional models feature a slightly conical rear end. The CS models are a bit heavier and likely cost more.

AT4

AT4 shown with optional night sight.
Source: US DoD - © Public domain

Variants of the AT4

AT4
Original anti-tank weapon as introduced in 1987. It features a HEAT warhead for use against armored vehicles.
AT4 CS
The AT4 CS is a model that fires the same warhead as the original but uses a countershot launch method allowing it to be fired from "Confined Spaces" as CS denotes.
AT4 HP
The AT4 HP uses an improved warhead with "High Penetration" capability. Penetration is increased by about 50% over the regular AT4.
AT4 CS HP
Confined Spaces model of the AT4 HP. More common than the non-CS version.
AT4 LMAW
A variant of the AT4 with high explosive dual purpose (HEDP) warhead is known as the LMAW, which stands for "Light Multipurpose Assault Weapon". The LMAW features the same HEDP warhead as used in the Carl Gustav model 502 HEDP rocket. The fuse may be set for delay or impact. Available as regular or CS model.
AT4 CS LMAW
Confined Spaces model of the AT4 LMAW. More common than the non-CS version.

Details


Facts AT4 AT4 CS AT4 CS HP AT4 CS LMAW
General
Origin
Sweden
Type
Rocket launcher
Crew
1
Lifespan
Disposable single shot launcher
Dimensions
Weight
6.7 kg
Length
1.016 mm
Warhead
Diameter
84 mm
Warhead type
HEAT
Penetration
400+ mm RHA
Velocity
285 m/s
Range
300 m effective
500 m maximum
Accessories
Sights
Mechanical, flip up sights
Optional detachable optical or night sight