Ukraine receives SMAW grenade launchers from United States
Besides Javelin anti-tank missiles, the latest delivery of U.S. military aid to Ukraine also includes M141 Bunker Defeat Munition, or SMAW-D – a weapon intended to crack hardened structures.
The U.S. Department of Defense on Jan. 21, published photos of U.S. arms being packaged for delivery to Kyiv.
The Pentagon’s statement reiterated the department’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, security, and prosperity.
On Jan. 23, a Boeing 747 carrying 80 tons of U.S. weapons landed at the Boryspil airport outside Kyiv, following an earlier delivery of 90 tons of U.S. weapons to Ukraine.
These arms shipments for Ukraine’s Armed Forces are a part of the first package of U.S. military aid to Ukraine in 2022.
Since 2014, the United States supported Ukraine with military aid to the tune of $5.4 billion.
SMAW-D: weapon profile
According to the Militarnyi website, the SMAW-D is a single-shot, shoulder-launched weapon designed to defeat hardened structures and punch holes through walls and barriers. SMAW-D shells are also effective against lightly-armored vehicles.
The warhead carries an 83mm HEDP (High Explosive Dual Purpose) payload with 1.1kg of explosive material, capable of busting through 20cm of concrete or 30cm of brickwork.
The HEDP is able to distinguish between hard and soft targets. On soft targets, the detonation is delayed until the projectile is buried in the target, while detonating immediately on contact with hard targets.
Specifications:
• Caliber – 83mm
• Mass – 7.5kg, plus 4.3kg warhead
• Length – 1,378mm
• Scope – 3.8x optical zoom, field of view – six degrees
• Missile velocity, nominal – 220m/s
• Effective range – 500m (250m optimal)
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