Template:Short description Template:Redirect2 Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use British English Template:Infobox weapon
The Saab Bofors Dynamics NLAW (Template:IPAc-en Template:Respell), also known as the MBT LAW or RB 57, is a fire-and-forget, lightweight shoulder-fired, and disposable (single-use) line of sight (LOS) missile system, designed for infantry use. The missile uses a soft-launch system and is guided by predicted line of sight (PLOS). It can carry out an overfly top attack (OTA) on an armoured vehicle, or a direct attack (DA) on structures, non-armoured vehicles and helicopters.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
The system was developed in Sweden by prime contractor Saab Bofors Dynamics, on behalf of the British and Swedish defence authorities who procured the system in a joint venture. It was mainly produced in the United Kingdom by Team MBT LAW UK, which included 14 subcontractors, most notably Thales Air Defence. Users of the weapon include Finland, Indonesia, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.
EtymologyEdit
The name "NLAW" initially referred to the original British development programme which Saab won the contract for with the "MBT LAW".<ref name="Saab NLAW"/><ref name= "PROTEC 2005"/><ref name= "Armed Forces">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> NLAW stands for Next-generation Light Anti-tank Weapon or Next-Generation Light Anti-armour Weapon. The N is short for "Next generation"<ref name= "Saab NLAW"/> or "Next-generation",<ref name="Army Mod"/> while LAW is an abbreviation of "Light Anti-tank Weapon"<ref name="Army Mod"/><ref name= "Saab NLAW"/> or "Light Anti-Armour Weapon".<ref name= "2008 Project Summary Audit"/><ref name= "PROTEC 2006"/> MBT LAW stands for Main Battle Tank Light Anti-armour Weapon.<ref name="Saab NLAW"/> NLAW has since development become the international designation of the weapon, while MBT LAW exists as a designation for the weapon in the British Army.<ref name="Saab NLAW"/>
The name "RB 57" derives from the weapon's designation in Swedish service – robot 57 ("guided missile 57") – which has the abbreviation rb 57.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Defense Update NLAW"/><ref name="Saab NLAW"/> At times the specified form pansarvärnsrobot 57 ("anti-armour guided missile 57"), pvrb 57 for short, can also be found.<ref name="första skottet">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="Försvarsmakten2011"/> The 5 indicates its missile class and the 7 indicates its consecutive number in that class (robot 57 = 7th missile of the 5th class).Template:Citation needed
OverviewEdit
In 1997, the British Defence Procurement Agency (DPA) began issuing invitations to tender for a new man-portable anti-tank weapon, to replace the obsolescent British LAW 80s.<ref name= "2008 Project Summary Audit"/> Swedish Bofors of the Celsius Group (later bought by Saab AB),<ref name="Saab and Celsius">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> American Lockheed Martin, and German Dynamit Nobel replied with offers; due to the limited spots of the NLAW-trials come January 2001, only the two former were rewarded with Project Definition Phase contracts in 1999. Bofors began development of the so-called MBT LAW the same year.<ref name= "Think Defence"/><ref name= "FMV Aktuellt 2001">Template:Cite magazine</ref>
In May 2002,<ref name="Saab May Contract">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Saab Bofors Dynamics' MBT LAW was selected as winner over Matra BAe Dynamics' Kestrel (the British derivative of Lockheed Martin's FGM-172 SRAW) in the NLAW-trials. In June, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the British DPA and the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV), who also showed interest in the system.<ref name="Think Defence"/><ref name= "FMV Aktuellt 2001"/> Accordingly, the NLAW-programme became a British–Swedish joint venture (primarily led by the DPA) assigned to Saab Bofors Dynamics (full development and production).<ref name="2008 Project Summary Audit"/><ref name= "PROTEC 2006">Template:Cite magazine</ref>
It was developed in Sweden and produced in the United Kingdom, with final assembly done by subcontractor Thales Air Defence. The contract signed in June 2002, between Saab and the two defence authorities, was worth approximately 4.8 billion SEK, including development and serial production; Sweden's share in the serial production was estimated at one billion SEK.<ref name= "FMV Aktuellt 2002">Template:Cite magazine</ref>
With the finalising of agreements between Sweden and the United Kingdom in 2003,<ref name= "Försvarsmakten2011"/> the development of the system continued until 2008, when it entered production in the UK.<ref name= "Army Recognition"/> Deliveries of the weapon began in December 2008; it entered the service of the Swedish, Finnish and British armed forces the following year.<ref name= "Defense Update NLAW"/><ref name= "Armed Forces"/> It has been estimated that the UK requirement for the British Armed Forces was for 14,000 units, or more; it replaced the obsolescent LAW 80 system and the ILAW (AT4 CS) which was used as a substitute until its deployment.<ref name="2008 Project Summary Audit"/><ref name= "Armed Forces"/> In 2005, the Swedish government placed a first order for 2,000 units from Saab.<ref name= "SIPRI"/> Finland has placed three orders between 2007 and 2017, for a total of 3,000 units.<ref name= "SIPRI"/><ref name= "Weaponews">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> This was followed by Luxembourg,<ref name="ASD News">Template:Cite news</ref> Indonesia,<ref name="Indomiliter">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Malaysia,<ref name="Shephard Media Dzirhan">Template:Cite news</ref> and Switzerland.<ref name="Defense News">Template:Cite news</ref> As of 16 March 2022, the United Kingdom confirmed that it had delivered more than 4,000 of their NLAWs to the Ukrainian military, to be used against Russia during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.<ref name="GOV UK">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
DevelopmentEdit
Research for a new Swedish light anti-tank guided missile began in the 1990s by the Swedish Armed Forces, for its mechanized infantry which were lacking both tanks and anti-tank warfare weapons. Initially, the project focused on creating as simple and cost-effective a system as possible; after some analysis, the need for a man-portable anti-tank weapon with great effectiveness at short to mid-range emerged.<ref name= "Försvarsmakten2011">Template:Cite book</ref>
In October 1999, the British DPA awarded Bofors (later Saab Bofors Dynamics) with a product definition order to procure a weapon prototype within 22 months, corresponding to the requirements of the British NLAW-programme:<ref name="2008 Project Summary Audit"/> To be able to hit a moving target at Template:Convert and a stationary target at Template:Convert, with a maximum weight of Template:Convert;<ref name="FMV Aktuellt 2001"/> some of the requirements later made by the Swedish FMV were a lowered backblast area, a minimum effective range of 20 metres, and an environmental adaptation for international operations.<ref name= "PROTEC 2006"/> Saab Bofors Dynamics, the DPA, and the FMV each paid a third of the assessment-phase cost for the MBT LAW,<ref name="FMV Aktuellt 2001"/> of £18 million.<ref name= "Think Defence"/> The FMV invested additional money during the NLAW-trials, while the DPA ceased further funding until a contract was signed.<ref name= "FMV Aktuellt 2001"/>
The project gained momentum in 2002–2003 after being selected by the British and Swedish defence authorities,<ref name="Think Defence"/><ref name= "Försvarsmakten2011"/> meeting the demanding requirements from both nations.<ref name= "Saab Bofors Dynamics">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name= "FMV Aktuellt 2002"/> Both launcher and missile development was done by Saab Bofors Dynamics in Eskilstuna and Karlskoga, Sweden, using technology derived from earlier Bofors systems; such as the RBS 56B BILL 2 (warhead and guidance) and AT4 CS (confined space capability),<ref name="Saab May Contract"/> as well as some further developments.<ref name= "FMV Aktuellt 2001"/> The United Kingdom and Sweden shared the development costs.<ref name= "PROTEC 2008">Template:Cite magazine</ref> Full production and delivery was expected to begin by the end of 2006, with the development phase "nearing its end" in 2005 according to Nick Moore (DPA).<ref name= "PROTEC 2005"/> However, as a result of qualification failures in the tests of November 2006,<ref name= "2008 Project Summary Audit"/> it was delayed until 2008.<ref name= "NLAW Product Update"/><ref name="Armed Forces"/> Due to the similar requirements made by the Swedish and British defence authorities, the weapon comes with only minor differences in appearance.<ref name= "PROTEC 2005">Template:Cite magazine</ref> It uses a single shaped-charge warhead, as opposed to other comparable missiles that have a tandem warhead.<ref name= "Saab NLAW"/>
Saab, who also develops the system software, announced in 2015 that they had been able to optimise the guidance system by fine-tuning its predicted line of sight. An effective range of Template:Convert and up against stationary targets was demonstrated in April 2014.<ref name= "NLAW Product Update"/><ref name= "Think Defence"/> An effective range of Template:Convert against moving targets has also been reported.<ref name= "Weaponews"/>
ProductionEdit
As jobs are often the focus of large material orders, a requirement by the British DPA for signing a contract with the winner was that the production of the system would occur in the United Kingdom. For this reason, Saab Bofors Dynamics contracted UK-based Thales Air Defence ahead of the NLAW-programme—while Lockheed Martin contracted Matra BAe Dynamics. To produce the system, Saab and Thales went on to create Team MBT LAW UK which included 14 subcontractors.<ref name= "FMV Aktuellt 2001"/> As per the agreements signed between the United Kingdom and Sweden in 2002–2003,<ref name="Saab Bofors Dynamics"/> manufacturing occurred mostly in the UK, with final assembly and test done at the Thales Air Defence facilities in Belfast, Northern Ireland.<ref name="Think Defence"/><ref name= "Saab May Contract"/> The weapon went into full production in 2008. The final cost for the MBT LAW contract since the beginning of the NLAW-programme, including the assessment phase, development, and manufacture-license, ended up at approximately £400–437 million.<ref name="Think Defence"/><ref name= "Armed Forces"/>
Team MBT LAW UK, which provided components for the system, included: Thales Air Defence (final assembly); BAE Systems Avionics (inertial measurement unit); NP Aerospace (plastic and composite mouldings); FR-HiTemp (control fins and actuators); Raytheon Systems (electronics assemblies); Skeldings (special purpose springs); Thales Missile Electronics (proximity fuze); MetalWeb; BAE Systems RO Defence; EPS Logistics Technology; Express Engineering; Portsmouth Aviation; ICI Nobel Enterprises; Leafield Engineering.<ref name= "Think Defence"/> The missile's warhead is made in Switzerland by Saab Bofors Dynamics Switzerland Ltd.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
More than 24,200 units have been produced.<ref name="SIPRI"/> Depending on which source, it costs: £20,000 (2008);<ref name= "2008 Project Summary Audit"/> US$30,000 (2022);<ref name="The National"/> US$33,000 (2022);<ref name= "Shephard Media"/> US$40,000 (2022).<ref name= "Jerusalem Post"/> Each unit has a shelf life of around 20 years.<ref name="Saab NLAW"/>
OperationEdit
Template:Multiple image The NLAW is a man-portable, soft-launch, and confined-spaces (saltwater countermass) system,<ref name= "Saab Bofors Dynamics"/> allowing the missile to be fired from almost anywhere; the operator can safely fire through any window of a room no bigger than 4 x 2.5 x 2.5 m (high).<ref name="2008 Project Summary Audit"/> The missile is first shot out of the launcher with a low-powered ignition system, after which its main rocket ignites and propels it to the target. Guidance uses a predicted line of sight (PLOS) system. For a moving target, the operator maintains tracking for at least 2–3 seconds. The software embedded in the missile's INS records the operator's aiming movement and extrapolates the flight path needed to intercept the target. After launch, the missile flies autonomously along the pre-programmed flight path, controlled by an inertial guidance system.<ref name= "Army Recognition"/><ref name= "Saab Bofors Dynamics"/><ref name= "Miniaturisation of Infantry Weapons">Template:Cite magazine</ref> The system weighs Template:Convert, with a rocket weight of Template:Convert; the mass of the warhead is Template:Convert.<ref name= "Weaponews"/> It is unnecessary for the operator to consider the target distance (so long as it is within range), or to stay exposed whilst the missile is in the air (fire-and-forget).<ref name="Forbes">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Against tanks and other armoured vehicles, the overfly top attack (OTA) mode is used; the missile flies about one metre above the line of sight, detonating the warhead above the target's weaker top armour via proximity fuze and magnetic sensors. The exact way in which the "combined magnetic and optical sensors" ensure the proper detonation of the warhead is classified. The direct attack (DA) mode is used against non-armoured targets, detonating the warhead on impact via contact fuze as the missile flies on the line of sight. The launcher can be fired only once and is disposed of after use.<ref name="Saab Bofors Dynamics"/> The operator can adjust the arming distance of the missile, to avoid a premature detonation triggered by the sensors when it flies over non-targets. They can also fire down or up at a 45-degree angle. The method of exploding above the tank by one metre was met with scepticism at the time. Saab had to work hard to show that they could make the system work. Saab NLAW designer Christer Nygren said: “The protection on main battle tanks was increasing all the time...We saw that we needed a new type of attack. But, with the over-the-top attack, you create another technical challenge, which is how to hit vertically down through the roof of the tank when the velocity of the missile is in the forward direction. It’s a tricky thing. Before any contracts were signed we had to present a lot of technical evidence that we could really defeat a tank from the top and get the warhead [to detonate] at the right time.” Saab claims that in 20 years the US designers have not matched the NLAW system's technology. Adding "You give them an hour of training and they can fight the T-90 [the most advanced Russian tank] without a problem.”<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name= "5 facts NLAW">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The missile will auto-destruct at the maximum flight time of 5.6 seconds, which is about Template:Convert. It is designed to operate in all climate conditions and environments, from −38 to +63 degrees Celsius.<ref name= "Weaponews"/><ref name= "C4Defence">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Combat historyEdit
Russo-Ukrainian WarEdit
Preceding the escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War by the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the United Kingdom supplied 2,000 NLAW systems to Ukraine, with another 1,615 delivered by 9 March 2022<ref name="UK Defence Journal">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name= "BBCNLAWS">Template:Cite news</ref> to bolster Ukraine's military.<ref name="UK2UK">Template:Cite news</ref> More NLAWs were requested by the Ukrainian military following reports that they proved highly effective against Russian vehicles, leading to at least 100 more being allocated by Luxembourg.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name= "LUX2UK">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Alongside US FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missile systems, delivered as a precaution against increased hostilities, the Ukrainian forces reported that NLAWs produced far greater damage against Russian armoured vehicles than their standard Soviet-era equipment.<ref name= "Jerusalem Post">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On 24 March 2022, the UK pledged to deliver a further 6,000 NLAWs and a senior Ukrainian military officer also claimed they were the "weapon of choice" for his troops, responsible for 30–40% of Russian tanks destroyed.<ref name= "6000nlaw">Template:Cite news</ref>
An unknown number of launchers were captured by the armed forces of Russia and the pro-Russian self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic during the conflict.<ref name= "Russia Captured NLAW">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name= "Daily Express">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="RIA Novosti DPR NLAW Capture">Template:Cite news</ref> A number of these captured weapons were reportedly transferred to Iran as part of a deal to acquire drones.<ref name="iran">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
NLAWs were the most numerous advanced guided anti-tank missile in Ukraine as of April 2022.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
OperatorsEdit
Current operatorsEdit
Template:Flag (3,000 + additional in 2023)Edit
Finland announced missile orders in 2007 worth €38 million.<ref name="Saab New Antitank Weapon" /><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In Finnish service the missile is designated 102 mm raskas lähipanssarintorjuntaohjus NLAW (102 RSLPSTOHJ NLAW) for Finnish speaking troops,<ref name="YLE">Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name="nlaw fi">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and 102 mm tung närpansarvärnsrobot NLAW (meaning roughly "102 mm heavy close-in anti-armour missile") for Fenno-Swedish speaking troops.<ref name="nlaw fi sv">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
>3,000 ordered:<ref name="SIPRI" />
- 1,500 units ordered in 2007, delivered in 2009–2010, €38 million deal <ref name=":0">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- 1,000 units ordered and delivered in 2015, €36 million deal <ref name=":0" />
- 500 units ordered in 2017, delivered in 2018 <ref name=":0" />
- Unknown quantity ordered in 2023, deliveries 2024–2025, €46 million deal <ref name="mtvuutiset">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="valtioneuvosto">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag (600)Edit
600 units delivered in 2012–2013.<ref name="Indomiliter" />
Template:Flag (500)Edit
500 units ordered in 2016 or 2017, and delivered in 2018–2020.<ref name="SIPRI" /><ref name="Shephard Media Dzirhan" />
Template:Flag (5,000)Edit
2,000 units ordered in 2005, and delivered in 2009–2012.<ref name="SIPRI" /> Another 3,000 units order was placed in December 2022 at a cost of 900M SEK for delivery in 2024-2026.<ref name="Saab Receives Order for NLAW from Sweden">Template:Cite press release</ref> In Swedish service the missile is designated robot 57 (RB 57),<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Defense Update NLAW" /> or pansarvärnsrobot 57 (pvrb 57) in expanded form,<ref name="första skottet" /> meaning "missile 57" and "anti-armour missile 57" respectively (the 5 indicates its missile class and the 7 indicates its consecutive number in that class = 7th missile of the 5th class).Template:Citation needed
Template:Flag (4,000)Edit
4,000 units in 2017 to fill capability gap left by M47 Dragon decommissioning in 2008,<ref name="Defense News" /> and delivered in from 2018.<ref name="SIPRI" />
Template:Flag (>5,000 donated)Edit
2,000 NLAW units were supplied to Ukraine by the United Kingdom by 19 January 2022 in anticipation of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.<ref name="UK2UK" /><ref name="Forbes" /> Another 100 were sent from Luxembourg following the invasion.<ref name="LUX2UK" /> As of 9 March 2022, the UK confirmed that it had delivered a total of 3,615 NLAW to Ukraine.<ref name="UK Defence Journal" /> As of 16 March 2022, the UK confirmed that it had delivered more than 4,000 NLAWs to Ukraine.<ref name="GOV UK" /> As of 15 May 2023, the UK delivered more than 5,000 NLAWs to Ukraine.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Template:Flag (21,000 total order)Edit
Selected in May 2002 for the British Army Next-generation Light Anti-tank Weapon (NLAW) requirement. The system has replaced the ILAW and LAW 80.<ref name="2008 Project Summary Audit" /> In British service the missile is formally designated Round, Guided Missile, NLAW (Next-generation Light Anti-tank Weapon), High-Explosive Anti-Tank, K170A1 or K170A2 (GM NLAW HEAT K170A1/A2) depending on the variant (A1 = Mk1, A2 = Mk2),<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> but the project name "Main Battle Tank Light Anti-Armour Weapon" (MBT-LAW) also appears.<ref name="Saab NLAW" /><ref name="Armed Forces" /> The UK donated thousands of NLAWs out of its own stocks to Ukraine, which it plans to replace from January 2023 onwards, followed by "a larger subsequent order".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- 14,000 units ordered in 2002, and delivered in 2009–2010.<ref name="SIPRI" />
- 7,000 units ordered in 2022, deliveries planned for 2023-2026, £229 million deal <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Future operatorsEdit
Template:FlagEdit
Unknown quantity planned to be ordered as of June 2024, to be used as the intermediate solution between the AT4 and the Akeron MP ATGM.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Former operatorsEdit
Template:Flag (100)Edit
100 units ordered in 2010 (50) and 2015 (50), and delivered in 2012 and 2016–2017. (All 102 donated to Ukraine)<ref name="SIPRI" /><ref name="ASD News" />
See alsoEdit
- List of rocket launchers
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