NLAW
The Saab Bofors Dynamics NLAW (pronounced: "N-LAW", /ˈɛnlɔː/), 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 and non-armoured vehicles.
| NLAW | |
|---|---|
NLAW at a Saab Bofors Dynamics exhibition stall | |
| Type | Anti-tank guided missile |
| Place of origin |
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| Service history | |
| In service | 2009–present |
| Used by | See § Operators |
| Wars | 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Saab Bofors Dynamics |
| Designed | 1999–2008 |
| Manufacturer |
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| Unit cost | US$30,000–40,000 (domestic cost, FY 2008) |
| Produced | 2008–present |
| No. built | 24,200+ |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 12.5 kg (28 lb) |
| Length | 102 cm (3 ft 4 in) |
| Diameter | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Crew | 1 |
| Calibre |
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| Muzzle velocity |
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| Effective firing range |
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| Maximum firing range | 1,000 m (3,300 ft) |
| Sights | 2.5x telescopic sight with night vision |
| Warhead | HEAT |
| Warhead weight | 1.8 kg (4.0 lb) |
Detonation mechanism | Proximity fuze (Overfly Top Attack) Contact fuze (Direct Attack) |
| Blast yield | >500 mm (20 in) armour penetration |
Guidance system | PLOS (Predicted Line Of Sight) |
Launch platform | Man-portable launcher |
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.