RN90

RN90
Name	RN90
Type	Recoilless rifle
Origin	Sweden
Service	1990–present
Used by	Swedish Armed Forces
Designer	Bofors
Design date	Late 1980s
Manufacturer	Bofors
Production date	1990–1995
Variants	See text
Cartridge	84×246mm R
Caliber	84 mm
Action	Breech-loaded
Feed	Single-shot
Sights	Optical sight

RN90. The RN90 is an 84 mm recoilless rifle developed in Sweden and adopted by the Swedish Armed Forces in the early 1990s. Designed and manufactured by the Bofors company, it was introduced as a modern replacement for the earlier M2 Carl Gustaf system, offering improved ergonomics and enhanced anti-armor capabilities. The weapon has seen service primarily within Swedish infantry and coastal defense units, forming a key component of their light anti-tank and support weapon inventory.

Overview

The RN90 system was developed to provide infantry squads with a lightweight, man-portable weapon capable of engaging modern armored vehicles and fortifications. It entered service with the Swedish Army and the Swedish Amphibious Corps during a period of significant modernization following the end of the Cold War. The weapon's design philosophy emphasized reliability in the harsh Scandinavian climate and ease of operation by a two-person crew. Its introduction coincided with updates to Swedish defense doctrine, as outlined in documents from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration.

Design and development

The development of the RN90 was initiated by Bofors in the late 1980s under contract from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV). Engineers sought to improve upon the proven Carl Gustaf design by incorporating new materials like advanced composites to reduce weight. The weapon features a rifled steel barrel, a vented breech mechanism, and an integrated optical sighting system for improved accuracy. Key design work was influenced by lessons from conflicts such as the Yom Kippur War, which highlighted the need for effective infantry anti-tank weapons. Prototype testing took place at facilities like the Swedish Defence Research Agency in Stockholm.

Operational history

The RN90 was formally adopted by the Swedish Armed Forces in 1990 and has been deployed primarily within Sweden's territorial defense structure. It has been used extensively in training exercises across regions like Norrland and Gotland, often in conjunction with forces from the Swedish Home Guard. While it has not seen combat use by Sweden, the system's capabilities were demonstrated during multinational exercises like Cold Response in Norway and Baltic Operations (BALTOPS). The weapon remains in active service, with crews regularly training at the Swedish Army Combat School in Skövde.

Variants

Several variants of the RN90 system have been produced to fulfill different tactical roles. The primary model is the standard infantry recoilless rifle, often designated simply as the RN90. A dedicated training version, using sub-caliber devices, was developed for cost-effective marksmanship instruction. An export variant, sometimes referred to in marketing by Bofors as the Bofors 84mm RR, was offered to nations including Finland and Singapore. Proposals for a version with a fire-control system integrated with Saab AB technology were explored but not widely fielded.

Specifications (RN90)

* **Caliber:** 84 mm * **Cartridge:** 84×246mm R * **Operation:** Breech-loaded, recoilless * **Effective Range:** Approximately 500 m against moving targets * **Crew:** 2 (gunner and loader) * **Sights:** 3x optical sight with stadiametric rangefinder * **Ammunition Types:** Includes High-Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT), High-Explosive (HE), Illumination, and Smoke rounds * **Manufacturer:** Bofors

Operators

The primary and sole major military operator of the RN90 is the Swedish Armed Forces. Within Sweden, it is issued to units of the Swedish Army, including mechanized infantry brigades, and to the Swedish Amphibious Corps for coastal defense. It is also used by the Swedish Home Guard for territorial defense tasks. While the export variant was marketed, no significant foreign sales of the RN90-branded system have been confirmed, with countries like Denmark and Norway opting for different systems such as the M72 LAW or later versions of the Carl Gustaf 8.4 cm recoilless rifle.

Category:Recoilless rifles Category:Anti-tank weapons of Sweden Category:Bofors