Saab has won a $494-million contract to supply the US Army with XM919 Individual Assault Munitions (IAM).
According to the US Department of Defense, the Swedish company’s proposal bested two others, but it did not reveal the names of the losing firms.
Several reports indicate that General Dynamics and Norwegian-Finnish defense conglomerate Nammo also submitted bids.
Saab is expected to complete the work for the contract by August 2029.
Joint Program Executive Office Armaments & Ammunition (JPEO A&A) describes the XM919 IAM as a shoulder-launched munition capable of penetrating light armored assets, bunkers, triple brick walls, and double reinforced concrete.
It also has an operational strike range of up to 200 meters (656 feet).
Expertise in Shoulder-Fired Weapons
Saab is expected to leverage its experience in shoulder-fired anti-armor weapons in producing the XM919.
Its famous Carl-Gustaf recoilless rifle – a man-portable weapon that allows dismounted soldiers to attack hostile tanks and other battlefield threats – has been sold to more than 40 countries.
It also manufactured the NLAW (Next-Generation Light Anti-Tank Weapon) “capable of eliminating even the most advanced tanks.”
However, according to a report by The War Zone, Saab actually pitched its AT-4 Confined Space Tandem Warhead (AT4CS TW) as the army’s XM919 IAM.
Its two-staged warhead reportedly provides a better chance of breaking through enemy assets with add-on protection and multi-layered defenses.
It is also designed to fire from narrow positions or confined spaces without risking the safety of nearby personnel.
