Shoulder-launched Multipurpose Assault Weapon (SMAW)
 

During the Operation Desert Storm, the US Army obtained a number of SMAW from the USMC.

anyone know which Army units used the SMAW during ODS? I'm assuming combat engineers?

I think the word <this is frontline rumor mind you> they went to the 101 and 82nd and other rapid type units of <laugh, chuckle snort> Light Infantry.....I love that term.....and no I still can't keep a straight face.

I read somewhere, a ways back, that the Israelis were field testing/using small numbers of the SMAW. That was like 10 years ago and I've seen nothing on the subject since. Anyone have any follow-up info?

The SMAW basically IS the Isreali B-300.

The US marines took the B-300, tweaked a few minor parts and called it the SMAW.

Yep, thats what happened.

It says the same thing in the entry for the B-300 in the T2K first edition Heavy Weapons Guide IIRC.

That doesn't make sense to me (though, I grant you, we are dealing with the US military). The Rangers and SF are already using the M-3 Carl Gustav recoilless rifle -- it seems like they could just order more for the 82nd and 101st and light fighters. It's already in the supply chain, and the Army already has people who are training-qualified on it. Or am I thinking too logically...?

Paul, I know for a fact the Army did get some from us in the Gulf, some of my bros even went and gave them some hands on time with it.

I support my statement with two things,

1.) Borrowing or transfering weapons from 1 organization already in theater is much easier <if you ignore the paperwork aspect> than ordering something that may have to come from Europe with the whole Customs and State Dept BS to the States to the Army to Theater.

2.) NEW WHIZ BANG GEAR!!!! Who or what grunt would pass on the chance to get to play with some new piece of gear? As long as they don't have to hump it that is. After all, most grunts are gearheads anyhow my knowledge and your sight are two examples.

I'm not disputing your information Jester; sorry if it looked that way. I was just saying, like so many things in the Army, that it doesn't make sense.

I didn't think you were Paul.

But, have you forgotten the military doesn't make sense? I long ago learned to stop trying to figure the nonesense out. It often is run by people who do not know what they are doing or have a real grasp of doing things for real. In the end it is run by bureacrats who are far removed from the real military world, and it is enforced by some politicaly minded experts and kiss a$$ officers and NCOs seeking promotion and favor.

So I just gave up with things making sense.

Just like "Military Intelligence" hehe:D now there's 2 words that are not supposed to be in the same sentence.

Ei General! Totally OT, but It comes to my mind every time I read you. I must recognize that the small video at the end of your posts (I know that this kind of things must have some technical name unknown for me), have some sort of hypnotic properties... Every time I look at it I must wait to see the entire sequence!!! :)

I suggest _Dirty Little Secrets_ and _Dirty Little Secrets of WWII_ by Dunnigan and Nofi for many examples of this,

hey Paul,

it doesn't make sense to me either. Not only are the Rangers and SF using the M-3 but also the SEALs.

I recall posting something about this back on the old board. I was doing a hypothetical TOE for t2k light infantry divisions and wanted to give them more punch and was trying to figure out if they would go with the M-3 or the SMAW. I can't remember what the conclusion was though. Hence, part of the reason I brought up this most recent thread, but I'd also like to know anyways.

I think oxymoron is the term you are looking for - and no, an oxymoron is not what you become if you suffer a lack of oxygen. :D

Hmmm...I have both of those on my bookshelf but haven't read either yet.

What I'm wondering is if the guy has a prehensile penis. The ladies must be impressed!

You can also try "Hitler War Directives" by Trevor-Roper & W. Hubatsch.

The USMC still uses the SMAW: IIRC from OIF-1 seeing footage during the initial battles on crossing into Iraq of Marines carrying SMAWs-and using them in the intended role of bunker-busters. I've also read (Strategypage IIRC) where a thermobaric warhead was developed for use in Afghanistan against caves and tunnel systems.