Saab Launches New Carl-Gustaf, RBS 70 Projectiles

The new HEAT 758 anti-tank round for the Carl-Gustaf weapon, designed to defeat heavy armoured vehicles equipped with Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA) | Photo: Saab

Swedish defence company Saab has introduced two new weapons for its ground combat and air defence systems during demonstrations in Sweden, including a new anti-tank round for the Carl-Gustaf recoilless rifle and a new missile for the RBS 70 NG air defence system.

The company announced the launch of the HEAT 758 anti-tank round during a live firing customer demonstration held in Karlskoga, Sweden, in May. The new ammunition has been developed for the Carl-Gustaf system to engage heavy armoured vehicles fitted with Explosive Reactive Armour, or ERA.

According to Saab, HEAT 758 uses a tandem warhead design. The first charge is intended to neutralise the reactive armour mounted externally on a vehicle, allowing the main charge to penetrate the underlying armour. Saab said the main charge can penetrate up to 700 millimetres of armour, which is ‘enough to defeat the heaviest armoured vehicles.’

An undisclosed customer has already ordered the HEAT 758 round and production is underway.

“This round is our response of developments of the battlefield where reactive explosive armour has become a major problem for regular munitions trying to defeat armoured vehicles. HEAT 758 is an example of how Saab continues to generate ever more capable products while decreasing the armoured vehicle threat to the operator,” said Michael Höglund, head of Saab’s business unit Ground Combat.

The HEAT 758 round also incorporates Saab’s Firebolt technology. Saab said this allows communication between the ammunition, the Carl-Gustaf M4 launcher and the Fire Control Device 558, helping simplify operation for the gunner and improving first-round hit probability.

The new Bolide 2 missile for the RBS 70 Short-Range Air Defence missile system incorporates a larger warhead and better terminal flight performance, in addition to an improved modular design to allow for future updates | Photo: Saab

Saab also launched the Bolide 2 missile for the RBS 70 short-range air defence system. The missile includes a larger warhead, updated terminal flight performance and a modular design intended to support future upgrades.

The company said Bolide 2 retains the RBS 70 system’s existing unjammable guidance method and can be fired from both the latest RBS 70 NG launcher and earlier versions of the system. Saab said deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2027 following a series of development test firings.

“With Bolide 2 we are ready to provide our customers with an even more capable missile, ready to be adapted for any new threats in the sky. RBS 70 users can benefit from improvements including a more powerful warhead, whether they are operating in the man-portable role or, as is increasingly common, from a vehicle firing unit,” said Stefan Öberg, head of Saab’s business unit Missile Systems.