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The '''M141 Bunker Defeat Munition''' ('''BDM''') is a disposable single-shot, [[shoulder-launched weapon|shoulder-fired]] [[rocket launcher]] designed to defeat hardened structures. It is a modification of the [[United States Marine Corps]] [[Mk 153 Shoulder-Launched Multipurpose Assault Weapon]] (SMAW) and is also called the '''SMAW-D''' (where 'D' is for 'Disposable'). It was designed to fill the void in the [[United States Army]] inventory of a "[[bunker buster]]" weapon.
The '''M141 ''' ('''BDM''') is a disposable single-shot, [[shoulder-launched weapon|shoulder-fired]] [[rocket launcher]] designed to defeat hardened structures. It is a modification of the [[United States Marine Corps]] [[Mk 153 Shoulder-Launched Multipurpose Assault Weapon]] (SMAW) and is also called the '''SMAW-D''' (where 'D' is for ''). It was designed to fill the void in the [[United States Army]] inventory of a "[[bunker buster]]" weapon.


==Design==
==Design==
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The M141 has two configurations: a carry mode in which the launcher is {{convert|32|in|disp=flip|abbr=on|adj=on}} long, and a ready to fire mode in which the launcher is extended to its full length of {{convert|55|in|disp=flip|abbr=on}}.
The M141 has two configurations: a carry mode in which the launcher is {{convert|32|in|disp=flip|abbr=on|adj=on}} long, and a ready to fire mode in which the launcher is extended to its full length of {{convert|55|in|disp=flip|abbr=on}}.


The warhead is the same [[High-explosive anti-tank#High-explosive dual-purpose|High-explosive, dual-purpose]] (HEDP) as the USMC SMAW. It is effective against masonry and concrete bunkers and lightly armored vehicles. The projectile can penetrate up to {{convert|8|in|disp=flip|abbr=on}} of concrete, {{convert|12|in|disp=flip|abbr=on}} of brick, or {{convert|6.9|ft|disp=flip|abbr=on}} of sandbags.
The warhead is the same [[High-explosive anti-tank#High-explosive dual-purpose|-explosive, dual-purpose]] (HEDP) as the USMC SMAW. It is effective against masonry and concrete bunkers and lightly armored vehicles. The projectile can penetrate up to {{convert|8|in|disp=flip|abbr=on}} of concrete, {{convert|12|in|disp=flip|abbr=on}} of brick, or {{convert|6.9|ft|disp=flip|abbr=on}} of sandbags.


The warhead is activated by a crush switch in its nose that can distinguish between hard and soft targets. On soft targets, such as sandbags, detonation is delayed until the projectile is buried in the target, producing a devastating effect. On hard targets, detonation occurs immediately on contact.
The warhead is activated by a crush switch in its nose that can distinguish between hard and soft targets. On soft targets, such as sandbags, detonation is delayed until the projectile is buried in the target, producing a devastating effect. On hard targets, detonation occurs immediately on contact.


==Service history==
==Service history==
The conferees of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1994 agreed that the US Army's BDM and the Marine Corps' Short-Range Assault Weapon ([[FGM-172 SRAW|SRAW]]) were too similar to justify separate long-term projects, and that the Army should pursue an interim BDM program. Congress limited BDM procurement to 6,000 units.
The conferees of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1994 agreed that the US Army's BDM and the Marine Corps' - ([[FGM-172 SRAW|SRAW]]) were too similar to justify separate long-term projects, and that the Army should pursue an interim BDM program. Congress limited BDM procurement to 6,000 units.


Two candidates were evaluated for the Army's BDM program. A candidate from [[McDonnell-Douglas]] (later Talley Defense Systems) used the same warhead as the Marine Corps SMAW, but with a rocket motor with a shorter burn time. A candidate developed by Sweden's FFV for [[Alliant Techsystems]] (later [[Honeywell]]) replaced the standard [[high-explosive anti-tank]] (HEAT) warhead of the [[AT4|M136 AT4]] with the same dual purpose warhead used by the USMC SMAW.<ref name="auto">''Jane's Infantry Weapon's 1995–96'' page 221</ref>
Two candidates were evaluated for the Army's BDM program. A candidate from [[McDonnell-Douglas]] (later Talley Defense Systems) used the same warhead as the Marine Corps SMAW, but with a rocket motor with a shorter burn time. A candidate developed by Sweden's FFV for [[Alliant Techsystems]] (later [[Honeywell]]) replaced the standard [[high-explosive anti-tank]] (HEAT) warhead of the [[AT4|M136 AT4]] with the same dual purpose warhead used by the USMC SMAW.<ref name="auto">''Jane's Infantry Weapon's 1995–96'' page 221</ref>


FFV designated the bunker buster version of the AT4 as the '''FFV AT8'''. In 1996 the McDonnell-Douglas candidate was chosen. In a unique move, the US Army ordered one batch of 1,500 then a second batch of 4,500 which were placed in contingency storage for expedited issue to units in combat.<ref name="auto"/> The SMAW-D was delivered to the Army in 1999.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/app4/smaw.html|title=Talley SMAW|website=www.designation-systems.net}}</ref>
FFV designated the bunker buster version of the AT4 as the ''FFV AT8''. In 1996 the McDonnell-Douglas candidate was chosen. In a unique move, the US Army ordered one batch of 1,500 then a second batch of 4,500 which were placed in contingency storage for expedited issue to units in combat.<ref name="auto"/> The SMAW-D was delivered to the Army in 1999.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/app4/smaw.html|title=Talley SMAW|website=www.designation-systems.net}}</ref>
[[File:M141 operators 2023.png|thumb|400x400px|M141 operators in blue]]
[[File:M141 operators 2023.png|thumb|400x400px|M141 operators in blue]]
[[CNN]] news footage showed [[United States Army Rangers|US Army Rangers]] firing M141s at various fortified caves during the [[Battle of Tora Bora|Tora Bora]] operations against the Afghan [[Taliban]] and [[al Qaeda]], being mistaken by the CNN reporters for M136 AT4 projectiles.<ref>After being fired, the projectile can be seen arching towards it target, by the exhaust nozzle in the rear which is still glowing from the heat of the burn-all-the-way in the launcher. Looks like the M141 projectile has a ruby tracer in the rear of the projectile.</ref>
[[CNN]] news footage showed [[United States Army Rangers|US Army Rangers]] firing M141s at various fortified caves during the [[Battle of Tora Bora|Tora Bora]] operations against the Afghan [[Taliban]] and [[al Qaeda]], being mistaken by the CNN reporters for M136 AT4 projectiles.<ref>After being fired, the projectile can be seen arching towards it target, by the exhaust nozzle in the rear which is still glowing from the heat of the burn-all-the-way in the launcher. like the M141 projectile has a ruby tracer in the rear of the projectile.</ref>


Quantities of M141s were sent to the Ukrainian armed forces by the U.S. before the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|invasion of Ukraine]] by Russia in February 2022.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://mil.in.ua/en/news/u-s-handed-over-to-ukraine-smaw-d-multi-purpose-grenade-launchers/ |title=U.S. handed over to Ukraine SMAW-D multi-purpose grenade launchers |website=mil.in.ua |date=25 January 2022 |access-date=26 January 2022}}</ref> Since then, the missile has also been employed successfully against Russian vehicles.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://kyivindependent.com/national/welcome-to-hell-ukrainian-airborne-fighting-russia-in-donbas-woods/ |title='Welcome to hell': Ukrainian airborne fighting Russia in Donbas woods |date=27 May 2022}}</ref>
Quantities of M141s were sent to the Ukrainian armed forces by the before the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|invasion of Ukraine]] by Russia in February 2022.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://mil.in.ua/en/news/u-s-handed-over-to-ukraine-smaw-d-multi-purpose-grenade-launchers/ |title=U.S. handed over to Ukraine SMAW-D multi-purpose grenade launchers |website=mil.in.ua |date=25 January 2022 |access-date=26 January 2022}}</ref> Since then, the missile has also been employed successfully against Russian vehicles.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://kyivindependent.com/national/welcome-to-hell-ukrainian-airborne-fighting-russia-in-donbas-woods/ |title='Welcome to hell': Ukrainian airborne fighting Russia in Donbas woods |date=27 May 2022}}</ref>


==Operators==
==Operators==
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* {{flag|Ukraine}}: M141s were delivered amid the [[2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Demirjian |first1=Karoun |last2=Horton |first2=Alex |title=As war loomed, U.S. armed Ukraine to hit Russian aircraft, tanks and prep for urban combat, declassified shipment list shows |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2022/03/04/us-weapons-ukraine/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=7 May 2022}}</ref>
* {{flag|Ukraine}}: M141s were delivered amid the [[2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Demirjian |first1=Karoun |last2=Horton |first2=Alex |title=As war loomed, U.S. armed Ukraine to hit Russian aircraft, tanks and prep for urban combat, declassified shipment list shows |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2022/03/04/us-weapons-ukraine/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=7 May 2022}}</ref>
* {{flag|United States}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.military-today.com/firearms/m141_bdm.htm|title=M141 BDM Anti-Structure Rocket Launcher|website=www.military-today.com}}</ref>
* {{flag|United States}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.military-today.com/firearms/m141_bdm.htm|title=M141 BDM Anti-Structure Rocket Launcher|website=www.military-today.com}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Israel}}: It was reported that the [[Israel Defense Forces|IDF]] was supplied with 1,800 M141s during the [[2023 Israel–Hamas war|'''Operation Swords of Iron''']] in [[Gaza Strip|Gaza]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-15 |title=US quietly ramps up delivery of ammunition, missiles to Israel |url=https://www.firstpost.com/world/us-quietly-ramps-up-delivery-of-ammunition-missiles-to-israel-13389302.html |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=Firstpost |language=en}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Israel}}: It was reported that the [[Israel Defense Forces|IDF]] was supplied with 1,800 M141s during the [[2023 Israel–Hamas war|''Operation Swords of Iron'']] in [[Gaza Strip|Gaza]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-15 |title=US quietly ramps up delivery of ammunition, missiles to Israel |url=https://www.firstpost.com/world/us-quietly-ramps-up-delivery-of-ammunition-missiles-to-israel-13389302.html |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=Firstpost |language=en}}</ref>


== Gallery ==
== Gallery ==
Line 77: Line 77:


==See also==
==See also==
⚫
* [[List of rocket launchers]]
* [[List of anti-tank missiles]]
* [[List of anti-tank missiles]]
⚫
* [[List of rocket launchers]]


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 02:02, 7 July 2024

M141 BDM
M141 BDM (SMAW-D) in its storage/closed configuration and extended configuration
TypeAnti-fortification
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In service1999–present
Used bySee Operators
WarsWar in Afghanistan
Iraq War
Russo-Ukrainian War
Production history
DesignerMcDonnell-Douglas
ManufacturerTalley Defense Systems (Nammo Defense Systems)
Specifications
Mass7.1 kg (15.7 lbs)
Length810 mm (32 in)
Caliber83.5 mm (fires 83 mm rockets)
Effective firing range15–1000+ meters

The M141 bunker defeat munition (BDM) is a disposable single-shot, shoulder-fired rocket launcher designed to defeat hardened structures. It is a modification of the United States Marine Corps Mk 153 shoulder-launched multipurpose assault weapon (SMAW) and is also called the SMAW-D (where D is for disposable). It was designed to fill the void in the United States Army inventory of a "bunker buster" weapon.

Design[edit]

The SMAW-D operates on the principle that the recoil created by launching the rocket is counteracted by a "backblast" of gases fired from the rear of the weapon. This makes the SMAW-D inherently dangerous, especially in confined, urban areas, as is the case with all weapons of this design.

The M141 has two configurations: a carry mode in which the launcher is 810 mm (32 in) long, and a ready to fire mode in which the launcher is extended to its full length of 1,400 mm (55 in).

The warhead is the same high-explosive, dual-purpose (HEDP) as the USMC SMAW. It is effective against masonry and concrete bunkers and lightly armored vehicles. The projectile can penetrate up to 200 mm (8 in) of concrete, 300 mm (12 in) of brick, or 2.1 m (6.9 ft) of sandbags.

The warhead is activated by a crush switch in its nose that can distinguish between hard and soft targets. On soft targets, such as sandbags, detonation is delayed until the projectile is buried in the target, producing a devastating effect. On hard targets, detonation occurs immediately on contact.

Service history[edit]

The conferees of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1994 agreed that the US Army's BDM and the Marine Corps' short-range assault weapon (SRAW) were too similar to justify separate long-term projects, and that the Army should pursue an interim BDM program. Congress limited BDM procurement to 6,000 units.

Two candidates were evaluated for the Army's BDM program. A candidate from McDonnell-Douglas (later Talley Defense Systems) used the same warhead as the Marine Corps SMAW, but with a rocket motor with a shorter burn time. A candidate developed by Sweden's FFV for Alliant Techsystems (later Honeywell) replaced the standard high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead of the M136 AT4 with the same dual purpose warhead used by the USMC SMAW.[1]

FFV designated the bunker buster version of the AT4 as the FFV AT8. In 1996 the McDonnell-Douglas candidate was chosen. In a unique move, the US Army ordered one batch of 1,500 then a second batch of 4,500 which were placed in contingency storage for expedited issue to units in combat.[1] The SMAW-D was delivered to the Army in 1999.[2]

M141 operators in blue

CNN news footage showed US Army Rangers firing M141s at various fortified caves during the Tora Bora operations against the Afghan Taliban and al Qaeda, being mistaken by the CNN reporters for M136 AT4 projectiles.[3]

Quantities of M141s were sent to the Ukrainian armed forces by the US before the invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022.[4] Since then, the missile has also been employed successfully against Russian vehicles.[5]

Operators[edit]

Gallery[edit]

  • Ukrainian soldiers training with M141 in January 2022
    Ukrainian soldiers training with M141 in January 2022
  • Ukrainian soldiers training with M141 in January 2022
    Ukrainian soldiers training with M141 in January 2022

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Jane's Infantry Weapon's 1995–96 page 221
  2. ^ "Talley SMAW". www.designation-systems.net.
  3. ^ After being fired, the projectile can be seen arching towards it target, by the exhaust nozzle in the rear which is still glowing from the heat of the burn-all-the-way in the launcher. Iyt looks like the M141 projectile has a ruby tracer in the rear of the projectile.
  4. ^ "U.S. handed over to Ukraine SMAW-D multi-purpose grenade launchers". mil.in.ua. 25 January 2022. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  5. ^ "'Welcome to hell': Ukrainian airborne fighting Russia in Donbas woods". 27 May 2022.
  6. ^ Demirjian, Karoun; Horton, Alex. "As war loomed, U.S. armed Ukraine to hit Russian aircraft, tanks and prep for urban combat, declassified shipment list shows". The Washington Post. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  7. ^ "M141 BDM Anti-Structure Rocket Launcher". www.military-today.com.
  8. ^ "US quietly ramps up delivery of ammunition, missiles to Israel". Firstpost. 2023-11-15. Retrieved 2023-11-15.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to M141 Bunker Defeat Munition.
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