What is the primary purpose of the SMAW?

What is the primary purpose of the SMAW?

• A. Light machine gun
• B. Anti-ship missile launcher
• C. Portable anti-armor rocket launcher
• D. Antiaircraft missile system

Answer: (C)

The key idea is that the SMAW is a portable, shoulder-fired rocket launcher designed for infantry to defeat armored targets and fortified positions. It fires a rocket with a shaped-charge warhead capable of penetrating armor and defeating bunkers, giving ground troops the means to take on tanks and other armored vehicles from a distance. That anti-armor role is what sets it apart from the other options: a light machine gun is a small automatic firearm, an anti-ship missile launcher targets ships, and an antiaircraft system is for shooting down aircraft. So the SMAW’s primary purpose is to provide portable anti-armor capability for infantry.

The key idea is that the SMAW is a portable, shoulder-fired rocket launcher designed for infantry to defeat armored targets and fortified positions. It fires a rocket with a shaped-charge warhead capable of penetrating armor and defeating bunkers, giving ground troops the means to take on tanks and other armored vehicles from a distance. That anti-armor role is what sets it apart from the other options: a light machine gun is a small automatic firearm, an anti-ship missile launcher targets ships, and an antiaircraft system is for shooting down aircraft. So the SMAW’s primary purpose is to provide portable anti-armor capability for infantry.