{"id":27967,"date":"2018-01-09T19:54:05","date_gmt":"2018-01-09T19:54:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/uncategorized\/2018\/01\/09\/marines-finally-field-the-smaw-mod-2\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T20:51:37","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T20:51:37","slug":"marines-finally-field-the-smaw-mod-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/news\/your-marine-corps\/2018\/01\/09\/marines-finally-field-the-smaw-mod-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Marines finally field the SMAW Mod 2"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

After several years of testing, Marines have finally fielded the updated Mk 153 Shoulder-Launched Multipurpose Assault Weapon, or SMAW Mod 2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new version of the shoulder-fired bunker buster was fielded to II Marine Expeditionary Force in November and is being fielded to I MEF this month, according to Barbara Hamby, a spokeswoman for Marine Corps Systems Command. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSMAW Mod 2 improvements increase system accuracy, reliability and maintainability, and increase gunner survivability,\u201d Hamby said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new SMAW has been in development for some time, with a prototype going through initial testing and evaluation back in 2013 at Range 15 Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marines have improved on the original SMAW by removing the spotting rifle and adding a thermal sight and laser range finder, which has reduced the weight from 16 lbs. to 13 lbs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new laser range finder \u201chas increased the probability of hit over the SMAW Mod 0,\u201d Hamby said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marines introduced the original SMAW to bridge \u201ca capability gap in breaching and provided a Marine-portable capability to defeat bunkers, breach urban structures and destroy lightly armored vehicles,\u201d Hamby explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The updated SMAW is supposed to phase out the older version of the weapon system.<\/p>\n\n\n\t