Saab Inc., based in East Syracuse, New York, has been awarded a substantial $494.35 million firm-fixed-price contract to supply the U.S. Army with the XM919 Individual Assault Munition (IAM). This contract was awarded following a competitive bidding process conducted online, with three bids submitted. The specific locations for manufacturing and the allocation of funds will be determined with each order, with the contract expected to be completed by August 26, 2029. The contracting activity is managed by the Army Contracting Command in Newark, New Jersey. Saab’s success in securing this contract comes amid fierce competition from other major defense contractors. General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GD-OTS), in collaboration with Germany’s Dynamit Nobel, and Nammo, a Norwegian defense company, were also in the running for this lucrative deal.
Managed by the Project Manager Close Combat Systems (PM CCS), the Individual Assault Munition (IAM) program incorporates the XM919 weapon and training aids like the XM922 subcalibre trainer. The need for the IAM has been under consideration since at least 2016. According to the Army’s fiscal year 2024 budget request, the XM919 IAM is intended to be a lightweight SLM for individual soldiers in combat units, particularly suited for urban operations. It is designed to counter adversaries in light-armored vehicles or behind improvised fortifications, providing “behind-the-wall lethality effects.” The system is also expected to function effectively both day and night and within confined spaces, replacing the M72 Light Anti-Armor Weapon, M136 AT4 variants, and M141 Bunker Defeat Munition to streamline maintenance and training.
The XM919 IAM is an evolution of Saab’s well-established M136 series, also known as the AT4 family, which the new weapon is set to replace. The AT4, a single-shot, preloaded, disposable 84mm recoilless weapon, is an outgrowth of the Carl Gustaf recoilless rifle, which has been a staple in various military arsenals. While the Carl Gustaf is reloadable, the AT4 is designed for single use, with the launch tube being discarded after firing. Since the 1980s, the U.S. Army has acquired multiple variants of the AT4, including the AT4CS (Confined Space) versions, which are specifically designed for safe firing from within enclosed spaces such as buildings. This feature is particularly critical for reducing the risk to personnel in urban combat situations, where back-blast from other anti-armor weapons could expose them to greater danger.
For the IAM competition, Saab proposed the AT4CS TW variant, equipped with a tandem warhead round. This projectile is designed to defeat armored vehicles, particularly those with additional protection like explosive reactive armor (ERA). The tandem warhead’s two-stage design allows it to penetrate multi-layered defenses and reinforced targets such as concrete walls, while still delivering lethal effects inside. The U.S. Army’s requirements for the IAM included a single-use, individual weapon weighing no more than 20 pounds and no longer than 40 inches, with the capability to be fired from enclosed spaces and an effective range of up to 1,640 feet (500 meters). The XM919 is expected to perform against various targets, including light armor, bunkers, reinforced concrete, and brick walls—target sets that Army units currently train to engage with weapons like the M136, M72, and M141.
The M72, a smaller 66mm rocket, has been in service since the 1960s, while the 83mm M141 Bunker Defeat Munition (BDM), introduced in the late 1990s, is designed for use against fortifications, structures, and light-armored vehicles. The selection of Saab’s AT4 variant as the new XM919 would streamline training and logistics, given the weapon’s familiarity within the Army’s current inventory. Additionally, a subcaliber training version, the XM922, has been proposed to allow for safe practice on ranges not suitable for live IAM rounds. The introduction of the XM919 into U.S. Army service could lead to its adoption across other branches of the U.S. military, much like its predecessor, the M136. Furthermore, this development could drive additional sales internationally, including through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, as the AT4 family is already widely popular worldwide.
The U.S. Army’s decision to replace the M72, M136, and M141 with the XM919 could result in the older weapons being supplied to other allied nations. For instance, Ukraine has already received shipments of these types of weapons as part of international support since the onset of the conflict in 2022. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has highlighted the critical role of man-portable weapons in modern warfare, particularly in urban combat scenarios where armored vehicles and fortified positions are prevalent. The XM919, with its enhanced capabilities, is poised to be a vital asset for U.S. forces in future engagements, including potential high-intensity conflicts in densely populated areas, such as those anticipated in the Indo-Pacific region. If Saab has indeed secured this contract, U.S. Army units can expect to begin receiving the new XM919 IAM next year, marking a significant upgrade in their anti-armor capabilities.
