Carl Gustaf recoilless rifle

Conflict Usage

War in Afghanistan

Side: United States and Afghan government forcesRole: Man-portable direct-fire support and anti-armor weaponanti-tankprecision fires

In the War in Afghanistan, the U.S. Army said several Carl Gustafs were already in Afghanistan during a limited operational assessment, showing direct U.S. use in theater.

Carl Gustaf recoilless rifle Images

Related Weapon Systems

Infantry WeaponsM67 90 mm recoilless rifleCrew-served 90 mm recoilless rifleThe M67 is a U.S.-origin 90 mm recoilless rifle designed as a portable direct-fire weapon against armor, fortifications, and troops in the open. In the Battle of Marawi context, reporting on Maute and allied IS-inspired fighters identified 90 mm recoilless rifles, or 90-RRs, as antitank weapons used against Philippine armored vehicles in dense urban fighting.

Infantry WeaponsSPG-973 mm tripod-mounted recoilless gunThe SPG-9 is a Soviet 73 mm tripod-mounted recoilless gun that fires rocket-assisted HEAT and fragmentation projectiles from a crew-served launcher. Though designed as an infantry anti-armor weapon, Ukrainian units have documented its continued use in the Russia-Ukraine War as a flexible fire-support system against trenches, infantry groups, and light armored vehicles.

Infantry WeaponsFGM-148 JavelinAnti-tank guided missileA portable anti-armor missile known for top-attack profiles and fire-and-forget guidance. It became a symbol of early international military support to Ukraine.

Infantry WeaponsLandmineExplosive ground mineLandmines are explosive munitions emplaced under, on, or near the ground so a person or vehicle triggers the blast by presence, proximity, or contact. This entry covers the broad weapon class where sources document conflict use or fielded mine contamination rather than a single factory model.

Infantry WeaponsM136 AT4Disposable shoulder-fired light anti-armor recoilless weaponThe M136 AT4 is the U.S. designation for an Americanized Saab AT4, a single-shot 84 mm shoulder-fired anti-armor weapon issued as a disposable launch tube. It gives infantry a lightweight close-range option against light armor, bunkers, gun positions, and buildings, and Ukraine has received AT-4 systems through U.S. security assistance during the Russia-Ukraine War.

Infantry Weapons9K111 FagotMan-portable anti-tank guided missile systemThe 9K111 Fagot, known to NATO as the AT-4 Spigot, is a Soviet man-portable SACLOS wire-guided anti-tank missile system built around the 9P135 tripod launcher and 9M111 missile family. Its compact launcher, vehicle-mount compatibility, and 2 to 2.5 km range kept it relevant for legacy users, including Russian anti-tank teams documented in the Russia-Ukraine War.

Sources