NLAW, also known as the Next Generation Light Anti-tank Weapon, is a portable anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) system developed by Saab Dynamics, a Swedish defense and security company. The NLAW is designed to provide soldiers with a lightweight and easy-to-use weapon system for engaging and destroying tanks, armored vehicles, and other heavily-armored targets.
NLAW has a range of about 2km, and can be operated by a single soldier, it has a fire and forget capability, meaning that the operator can launch the missile and then take cover while the missile guides itself to the target. The NLAW is equipped with a tandem shaped-charge warhead that is designed to defeat modern reactive armor.
The NLAW has been adopted by several countries around the world, including Sweden, the UK, and Norway. It’s also been evaluated by other countries like France, Spain and India.
It’s important to note that NLAW is a relatively new weapon system, and its performance in actual combat situations is not yet known. However, its lightweight and easy-to-use design, as well as its fire-and-forget capability, make it a valuable asset for soldiers engaging in anti-tank warfare.
NLAW Vs Javelin
NLAW (Next Generation Light Anti-tank Weapon) and Javelin are both portable anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) systems designed to provide soldiers with a lightweight and easy-to-use weapon system for engaging and destroying tanks, armored vehicles, and other heavily-armored targets. Both systems have a similar range of around 2 km, but there are some differences between the two.
The Javelin missile system is developed by a joint venture between Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, it is in service with the US army and other countries. The Javelin missile uses a top-attack profile, where the missile flies above the target and then descends onto it, this makes it more effective against armored vehicles with sloped armor. The Javelin missile also has a fire-and-forget capability, allowing the operator to launch the missile and then take cover.
The NLAW missile system, developed by Saab Dynamics, is in service with Sweden, the UK and Norway. The NLAW missile uses a tandem shaped-charge warhead that is designed to defeat modern reactive armor, and it also has a fire-and-forget capability.
Both systems have their own strengths and weaknesses, and the choice between the two would depend on the specific requirements of the user, such as the types of armored vehicles that are expected to be encountered, budget and logistical considerations.
It’s important to note that both NLAW and Javelin are relatively new weapon systems, and their performance in actual combat situations is not yet known. However, their lightweight and easy-to-use design, as well as their fire-and-forget capability, make them valuable assets for soldiers engaging in anti-tank warfare.
NLAW Development
The development of the NLAW began in the early 2000s, with the goal of creating a lightweight and easy-to-use weapon system that could effectively engage and destroy tanks, armored vehicles, and other heavily-armored targets.
The NLAW is a man-portable, one-shot, fire-and-forget weapon system that uses a tandem shaped-charge warhead to defeat modern reactive armor. The missile has a range of about 2 km, and can be operated by a single soldier. It’s also equipped with a imaging infrared seeker for guidance.
The NLAW completed its development phase in 2011, and was first procured by the Swedish Armed Forces in 2012. Since then, the NLAW has been adopted by several countries around the world, including the UK, Norway and some other countries are evaluating it.
The NLAW is designed to be used in a wide range of environments, including urban areas, forests, and mountains, and it has been tested in various conditions to ensure its reliability and effectiveness. Saab continues to develop and upgrade the NLAW, with the aim of improving its capabilities and expanding its operational envelope.
It’s important to note that the NLAW is a relatively new weapon system, and its performance in actual combat situations is not yet known. However, its lightweight and easy-to-use design, as well as its fire-and-forget capability, make it a valuable asset for soldiers engaging in anti-tank warfare.
Specifications of the NLAW
Here are some of the key specifications of the NLAW:
- Range: approximately 2 km
- Warhead: tandem shaped-charge warhead designed to defeat modern reactive armor
- Guidance: imaging infrared seeker
- Weight: less than 20 kg (including launcher and missiles)
- Size: length of launcher with missile is 1.3 m
- Single soldier operated
- Fire-and-forget capability
- Capable of engaging moving and stationary targets
It’s important to note that these specifications are subject to change as the NLAW continues to be developed and upgraded by Saab Dynamics.
How NLAW works?
The NLAW (Next Generation Light Anti-tank Weapon) is a portable anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) system that is designed to provide soldiers with a lightweight and easy-to-use weapon system for engaging and destroying tanks, armored vehicles, and other heavily-armored targets.
The NLAW system consists of a launcher and a missile. The launcher is a reusable device that can hold one or two missiles, and is equipped with a sighting system and a fire control unit. The missile is a guided weapon that is equipped with a tandem shaped-charge warhead, which is designed to defeat modern reactive armor.
When the NLAW is fired, the missile is launched from the launcher and is guided towards the target using an imaging infrared seeker. The missile flies to the target in a direct flight, and the operator can take cover after firing the missile. The missile uses a tandem shaped-charge warhead, which can defeat modern reactive armor.
The NLAW has a range of about 2km, and it can be operated by a single soldier. It has a fire-and-forget capability, meaning that the operator can launch the missile and then take cover while the missile guides itself to the target. The missile uses a imaging infrared seeker that provides the missile with a high accuracy, it can also engage moving and stationary targets.
It’s important to note that the NLAW is a complex piece of military hardware, and its performance can be affected by a variety of factors such as operator error, system malfunctions, and weather conditions. However, its lightweight and easy-to-use design, as well as its fire-and-forget capability, make it a valuable asset for soldiers engaging in anti-tank warfare.
