M72 LAW

M72 LAW
An M72 LAW in extended position
TypeAnti-tank rocket-propelled grenade launcher[1]
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In service1963–present
Used bySee Operators
Wars
Production history
DesignerFA Spinale, CB Weeks and PV Choate
DesignedPatent filed 1963
Manufacturer
Specifications
Mass2.5 kg (5.5 lb) (M72A1–3) / 3.6 kg (7.9 lb) (M72A4–7)[5]
Length630 mm (24.8 in) (unarmed)
881 mm (34.67 in) (armed)

Caliber66 mm (2.6 in)
Muzzle velocity145 m/s (480 ft/s)
Effective firing range200 m (660 ft), 220 m (720 ft) (A4–7)
Detonation
mechanism
Point-initiated, base-detonated

The M72 LAW (light anti-tank weapon, also referred to as the light anti-armor weapon or LAW as well as LAWS: light anti-armor weapons system) is a portable one-shot 66 mm (2.6 in) unguided anti-tank weapon.

In early 1963, the M72 LAW was adopted by the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps as their primary individual infantry anti-tank weapon, replacing the M31 HEAT rifle grenade and the M20A1 "Super Bazooka" in the U.S. Army. It was subsequently adopted by the U.S. Air Force to serve in an anti-emplacement and anti-armor role in airbase defense.[6][note 1]

In the early 1980s, the M72 was slated to be replaced by the FGR-17 Viper. However, the Viper program was canceled by Congress and the M136 AT4 was adopted instead. At that time, its nearest equivalents were the Swedish Pskott m/68 (Miniman) and the French SARPAC.

  1. ^ Rottman, Gordon L. (15 March 2011). The Rocket Propelled Grenade. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 9781849081542. Retrieved 14 March 2018 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ "浴火重生——对越自卫反击战对我国轻武器发展的影响". 23 Sep 2014. Retrieved 5 Aug 2022.
  3. ^ Katz, Sam; Russell, Lee E (25 Jul 1985). Armies in Lebanon 1982–84. Men-at-Arms 165. Osprey Publishing. p. 8. ISBN 9780850456028.
  4. ^ "The Coconut Revolution (2001, 50min) (480x360)". youtube.com. Archived from the original on 9 March 2016. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
  5. ^ Cooke, Gary. "M72 Light Anti-tank Weapon System (LAW)". www.inetres.com. Gary's U.S. Infantry Weapons Reference Guide.
  6. ^ Mary T. Cagle "History of the TOW Missile System", page 10, U.S. Army, 1977.


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