M72 LAW
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. The solid rocket propulsion unit was developed in the newly-formed Rohm and Haas research laboratory at Redstone Arsenal in 1959, and the full system was designed by Paul V. Choate, Charles B. Weeks, Frank A. Spinale, et al. at the Hesse-Eastern Division of Norris Thermador. American production of the weapon began by Hesse-Eastern in 1963, and was terminated by 1983; currently it is produced by Nammo Raufoss AS in Norway and their subsidiary, Nammo Defense Systems (formerly Nammo Talley Inc.) in Arizona.
| M72 LAW | |
|---|---|
An M72 LAW in extended position | |
| Type | Anti-tank rocket-propelled grenade launcher |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1963–present |
| Used by | See Operators |
| Wars |
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| Production history | |
| Designer | FA Spinale, CB Weeks and PV Choate |
| Designed | Patent filed 1963 |
| Manufacturer | |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) (M72A1–3) / 3.6 kg (7.9 lb) (M72A4–7) |
| Length | 630 mm (24.8 in) (unarmed) 881 mm (34.67 in) (armed) |
| Caliber | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Muzzle velocity | 145 m/s (480 ft/s) |
| Effective firing range | 200 m (660 ft), 220 m (720 ft) (A4–7) |
Detonation mechanism | Point-initiated, base-detonated |
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.
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.