Army still questing for a lighter shoulder-launched munition for urban combat

To maneuver through dense cities on foot, while staying lethal, the Army sees a need to go lighter – much lighter.

A new market research solicitation published by the service seeks information on a new super-lightweight, shoulder-launched, one-shot munition system with a maximum carry weight of 15 lbs and a compact total system length of 42 inches or less.

The solicitation, released this month, comes as Sweden’s Saab prepares to begin production on the XM919 Individual Assault Munition, which it committed to in 2024 as a one-size-fits-all round for the Army replacing four different shoulder-launched weapons systems.

The XM919 IAM weighs about 20 pounds loaded and is about 40 inches long, according to a spec sheet published by the Army. It’s intended to replace the M16 AT4 and M141 Bunker Defeat Munition systems, as well as the M72 Light Anti-Tank Weapon.

Fielding of the new munition was initially expected to begin in 2025 under a nearly $495 million contract with Saab covering deliveries through 2029, but appears to have yet to begin.

While IAM was touted as “removing combat burdens” and lightening the Soldier’s load, it actually weighs in heavier than some of the systems it’s intended to replace. The AT4 weighs between 15 and 20 pounds loaded, depending on the variant; the loaded weight of the BDM is closer to 16 pounds; and the LAW weighs about five pounds.

But as Military.com noted, the weight savings would be realized by combining all the systems into a single slightly bulkier weapons system.

Now, however, it appears that the Army still wants to bring down the weight.

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“The Government is seeking to identify potential sources interested in and capable of providing technologies to meet the Army’s [lightweight shoulder-launched munition, or SLM-LW] requirement. The SLM-LW will be single-shot, disposable, and capable of engaging multiple targets (light armor, earth/timber bunkers, reinforced concrete, adobe and triple brick structures),” the solicitation states.

The solicitation also calls for the procurement of spares and training devices to “increase the Soldier’s proficiency with the SLM-LW and ensure its successful integration into combat operations.”

All this work is categorized as market research and would help to determine procurement methods “if a requirement materializes,” the solicitation states.

“The required solution will be an improvement over existing SLM systems, namely a lighter weight. It will allow Soldiers to conduct urban operations with the ability to defeat an enemy protected by a variety of light-armored vehicles and structural targets with increased (behind the wall) lethality and less burden on the individual soldier,” documents say. “The required solution will be effective day or night at close ranges with an ability to safely engage targets from within enclosures.”

Like the IAM, the one-shot system should be able to penetrate “light armor, earth/timber bunkers, double-reinforced concrete, adobe and triple brick structures.”

Shoulder-launched munitions have proved critical in Ukraine’s ongoing war of self-defense against Russia. The U.S.-made FGM-148 Javelin has become a mascot of sorts, with a popular meme featuring a Madonna figure cradling a Javelin launcher. At least hundreds of Army BDM systems and AT4s have also been sent to Ukraine to aid the fight.

Interested companies have until the end of June to respond to the new solicitation.

Feature Image: The XM919 Individual Assault Munition (Saab)

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