Profile
- Origin
- Sweden
- Built by
- Saab
- Type
- 84 mm programmable high-explosive round
Munitions
HE 448
Also known as
- 84 mm HE 448
- HE 441E
- HE 441E Programmable Round
- HE441E
HE 448 is Saab's 84 mm programmable high-explosive round for the Carl-Gustaf recoilless rifle family. It replaces the older mechanical fuze approach with an electro-mechanical fuze, communicates with advanced fire-control devices through Firebolt, and is designated HE 441E Programmable Round by the U.S. Army.
Profile / Specs
Specifications
- Caliber
- 84 mm
- Ammunition type
- Anti-personnel / anti-vehicle programmable high-explosive round
- Warhead design
- Fragmentation
- Complete round weight
- 2.7 kg
- Effective range
- 1,500 m
- Payload
- More than 4,000 tungsten pellets
- Firing modes
- Impact or airburst at a pre-designated distance
- Fire-control interface
- Firebolt-compatible with FCD 558 and other advanced Carl-Gustaf fire-control devices
- U.S. designation
- HE 441E Programmable Round
- Target set
- Protected and unprotected personnel, troops in defilade, soft-skinned targets, and vehicles
Firing Weapon
HE 448 is part of the 84 mm Carl-Gustaf ammunition family and is built for use with programmable fire-control interfaces.
| Firing weapon | Weapon type | Firing evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | 84 mm recoilless rifle | Saab identifies HE 448 as a Carl-Gustaf programmable high-explosive round; the M4 brochure places it in the Carl-Gustaf ammunition family and says the M4 can exchange information with Firebolt-compatible ammunition such as HE 448 through the FCD 558. Sources: Saab Carl-Gustaf M4 product page, Saab Carl-Gustaf M4 brochure, Saab HE 448 fact sheet |
Programmable Fire Control
HE 448's distinguishing feature is the link between the round, the Carl-Gustaf launcher, and an advanced fire-control device. Saab describes Firebolt as the communication interface that lets the chambered round and the FCD exchange data used for ballistic calculation and fuze setting.
Fuze options
The round can be set for impact detonation or airburst above the target.
Data exchange
Firebolt-compatible use lets the round provide information such as round type and propellant temperature to the fire-control device.
Legacy limit
Saab says HE 448 can be fired with a legacy Carl-Gustaf fire-control device, but not in airburst mode.
Timeline
HE 448 Key Events
Saab demonstrates HE 448 in live firings
Saab's May 2022 firing event demonstrated the HE 448 programmable high-explosive round and FCD 558 fire-control device for representatives from 30 nations.
Sources: Saab Firings Showcase New Programmable Carl-Gustaf Munition
Sweden orders HE 448 ammunition
Saab announced an FMV order worth about SEK 800 million for Carl-Gustaf ammunition, including the new HE 448 programmable high-explosive round, with deliveries planned for 2023-2025.
Sources: Saab Sweden Carl-Gustaf Ammunition Order
The U.S. Army orders HE 448 as HE 441E
Saab said the U.S. Army ordered HE 448, reported an order value of about USD 10 million, and identified the U.S. designation as HE 441E Programmable Round.
Sources: Saab Receives Order for Latest Carl-Gustaf Ammunition Type from U.S. Army
Related Weapon Systems
Sources
Saab Carl-Gustaf M4 product pagePublisher: Saab | Note: Supports HE 448's Carl-Gustaf family context, programmable ammunition compatibility, and the product-page image. | Accessed: 2026-07-03Saab HE 448 fact sheetPublisher: Saab | Note: Supports HE 448 technical data, weight, range, ammunition type, warhead design, Firebolt interface, impact and airburst modes, and tungsten-pellet payload. | Accessed: 2026-07-03Saab Accuracy Meets Simplicity HE 448 storyPublisher: Saab | Note: Supports the HE 448 design explanation, comparison with HE 441, FCD 558 and Firebolt operation, direct-fire and airburst modes, and legacy fire-control limitation. | Accessed: 2026-07-03Saab Firings Showcase New Programmable Carl-Gustaf MunitionPublisher: Saab | Note: Supports the May 2022 firing demonstration, FCD 558 context, Firebolt protocol, and official HE 448 firing-showcase image provenance. | Accessed: 2026-07-03Saab Sweden Carl-Gustaf Ammunition OrderPublisher: Saab | Note: Supports the Swedish FMV HE 448 ammunition order, order value, delivery window, and FCD 558 procurement context. | Accessed: 2026-07-03Saab Receives Order for Latest Carl-Gustaf Ammunition Type from U.S. ArmyPublisher: Saab | Note: Supports the U.S. Army order, approximate USD 10 million value, 2024 delivery plan, 1,500-meter engagement context, and U.S. Army HE 441E Programmable Round designation. | Accessed: 2026-07-03Saab Carl-Gustaf M4 brochurePublisher: Saab | Note: Supports Carl-Gustaf M4 compatibility with FCD 558 and Firebolt-compatible ammunition such as HE 448. | Accessed: 2026-07-03Saab Ground Combat Systems Handbook 2026Publisher: Saab | Note: Supports the current handbook description of HE 448, Firebolt integration, target set, payload, weight, and effective range. | Accessed: 2026-07-03U.S. Army Light Infantry Lethality articlePublisher: U.S. Army | Note: Supports U.S. Army M3A1/FCS13-RE training context and identifies HE 441E among munition types for MAAWS training discussion. | Accessed: 2026-07-03