The AT4[a] is a Swedish 84mm (3.31in) unguided, man-portable, disposable, shoulder-fired recoilless anti-tank weapon manufactured by Saab Bofors Dynamics (formerly: FFV Ordance, later, Bofors Anti-Armour Systems). The oldest version of the 66 KES 75 is now retired. Lastly, the improved LAW is said to incorporate a Picatinny rail for mounting laser target designators and other aiming optics, extending the LAWs effective range. The M74 TPA (thickened pyrophoric agent) had an incendiary warhead filled with TEA (triethylaluminum); this was used in the M202A1 FLASH (flame assault shoulder weapon) four-tube launcher. Well before the end of the Cold War, it had become clear they had limited effectiveness against even contemporary tanks and had started to be gradually withdrawn from service with the U.S. military and other armed forces around the world. The reference refers to Allaint Techsystems as the manufacture, but they soon after were acquired by Honeywell. However, there is a danger from the backblast, and operators are trained to look behind the weapon tube to make sure friendlies are not in the caution or danger zone. PzF 3's effective range is between around 1,300 and 1,970 feet, depending on the exact type of ammunition and whether it is equipped with one of the more advanced sighting systems that have been developed for it over the years. 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 66mm (2.6in) unguided anti-tank weapon. All of these had to be used within a few meters of the target, which was difficult and dangerous. The Swedish-built AT4 single-shot recoilless weapon weighs 14.8-pounds and can penetrate the equivalent of 450 millimeters RHA on targets. PDF SQUAD WEAPONS B2E2657 Student Handout - United States Marine Corps Your email address will not be published. Upgrade Time: How the Army Wants to Improve the M72 LAW Anti-Tank Despite early problems, it was a success and was copied by other countries. . The AT4-CS version also reduced its muzzle velocity from the original 290m/s to 220m/s as part of its effort to be user-safe in a confined space, making the AT4-CS version more difficult to use as the drop is more pronounced. A training variant of the M72 LAW, designated M190, also exists. [28] It was used in action during the 1982 Falklands War, mainly to suppress Argentinian defensive positions at close range;[29] however, it was also used against an assault amphibious vehicle during the initial invasion and was one of the weapons which damaged the warship ARAGuerrico in the invasion of South Georgia. These people know what they are talking about, unlike the false propagandists here and, as you can see, the outright Nazis in the comments, who showed their true colors. Each rocket is another 2kg. Since then, the LAW has been improved with about a dozen variants beyond the original launcher. 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With all that in mind, The War Zone has compiled brief profiles of the shoulder-fired missiles, rocket launchers, and recoilless rifles that Ukraine has received in foreign military aid packages so far and the weapons it is expected to receive in the future. I find your stupidity amusing. These are first and second-generation MANPADS that entered service in the 1960s and 1970s and there are reports that they may not even be functional at this point. Avenger Airsoft has managed to accurately recreate the famous Vietnam-era anti-armor weapon for safe use with airsoft scenarios. Technology. This list may well be incomplete. Their information has been 100% accurate so far, which I think is a deliberate strategy. [citation needed] The weapon was later reverse-engineered into the "Type 1 66mm anti-tank rocket" but is more-popularly nicknamed as the "Type 66 rocket" due to its caliber. There, the LAW was again prized for its portabilitydepending on the variant, the launcher weighs a paltry five to eight pounds. In fact, the . The M136 AT4 produces less effect than the M72-series LAW. [21] These are likely the M72A5-C1 designation. At least some of these deliveries have included pedestal-mounted twin-launchers for these missiles, in addition to shoulder-fired ones. Pressures are also kept quite low compared to many traditional guns. [7], 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. One of the Carl Gustaf's most important features compared to a lot weapons in this list is that it is a fully reusable system that can fire a wide variety of ammunition types, including dedicated anti-tank and high-explosive rounds. The Swedish-made Carl Gustaf, which Canada says it plans to send 100 of to Ukraine, is an 84mm recoilless rifle, variants of which have been in service around the world since the 1940s. The weapon carries an optical night sight. The German-designed Panzerfaust 3 (PzF 3) is categorized as a semi-disposable single-shot rocket launcher. TM 43-0001-30 states the M247 has "approximately the same" penetration as the M72. Of course, it is not possible to mention the Ukrainian journalist who was forced to flee Ukraine Anatoly Shariy. [19], Anti-structure tandem-warheads (AST) Designed for urban warfare where a projectile heavier than the HEDP AT4 is needed. [10][11] The Department of the Army previously rated the weapon as safe to fire from enclosure, but this rating was removed in 2010 after the introduction of the safer AT4 CS. The weapon consists of a rocket within a launcher consisting of two tubes, one inside the other. [24], In late February 2022, the Norwegian government announced that it intended to donate "up to 2,000" M72 LAW units from their reserve stocks to Ukraine, in response to the Russian invasion. Who needs you, poor Bandera Nazi. It is effective in assaulting tanks and combat vehicles, landing craft, helicopter, aircraft and armoured vehicles. But I sincerely support the fact that you are showing all the people in the world the face of Bandera Nazis. [22], Bunker-busting (AT8) An AT4 version where the standard HEAT projectile is replaced with the bunker-busting warhead developed for the Mk 153 Shoulder-Launched Multipurpose Assault Weapon (SMAW). The outer tube contains the trigger, the arming handle, front and rear sights, and the rear cover. M72 LAWA7 (HA29) XM807 AT4 Confined-Space Tandem Warhead (TW) M136 AT4 Light Anti-Tank Weapon (AT4) The M136 AT 4, the Army's primary light antitank weapon, i s a recoilless rifle used. [8] The name was created for export purposes as the nickname "eighty-four" was already a common English nickname for the Carl Gustaf 8.4 cm recoilless rifle after its caliber.[7]. The M72 LAW is a combination of the two World War II weapons. These weapons should be in the hands of Ukrainian fighters by now. Denmark had planned to send Stingers, but those missiles were past their shelf life and it was ultimately deemed to be impractical to have them refurbished in the United States first. The venerable anti-tank weapon will feature improvements to its aiming and optics system, and new ammunition will allow Marines to fire from confined indoor spaces. High-explosive dual purpose (HEDP) 502[5][18] For use against bunkers, buildings, enemy personnel in the open, and light armour. It can be set to detonate on impact or with a brief detonation delay. This Swedish-designed weapon, which the U.S. military was first to adopt in 1987, is in many ways a single-shot, disposable derivative of the Carl Gustaf. Norway (2,000 units) and Denmark (2,700) have also provided the M72 LAW to Ukraine. Thousands of man-portable anti-aircraft and anti-armor weapons have already been delivered to Ukraine and thousands more are on the way. at the Hesse-Eastern Division of Norris Thermador. Instead, thanks to the M72s low weight, individual soldiers could carry several LAWs when out on a mission compared to just one AT4. The Marines' M72 LAW Anti-Tank Weapon is Set for an Upgrade AT4-CS uses saltwater countermass, which absorbs the backblast and slows down the pressure wave. Required fields are marked *. page 90. With a range of up to 656-feet, the LAW can punch through 12-inches of armor with a formidable shaped charge. The LAW has been around since the early-1960s for use against Soviet light tanks in Europe. Infantry anti-armor weapons, both guided and unguided, have been equally valuable for Ukrainian troops, who are facing a heavily mechanized foe on the ground. I am ready to personally reward the old man for actively assisting the Russian special operation, Kadyrov said on his Telegram channel. The Command Launch Unit's (CLU) targeting system, which includes thermal imaging sight, also has a secondary surveillance capability that can be used in a pinch. America's Stinger is arguably the most iconic MANPADS ever produced anywhere in the world. [9] (Miniman) adopted by the Swedish Army in the late 1960s. Shipments of these missiles had already been heading to Ukraine before the Kremlin launched its invasion. The former improves armor penetration while the multi-purpose warhead gives Marines the added capability of an anti-structure round capable of eliminating hardened structures, such as buildings.. It was subsequently adopted by the U.S. Air Force to serve in an anti-emplacement and anti-armor role in airbase defense. He is an Emerging Threats expert and former U.S. Army Infantry officer. The Republic of China Army (Taiwan) uses the M72 as a secondary anti-armor weapon. [6] Saab has had considerable sales success with the AT4, making it one of the most common light anti-tank weapons in the world. [10], Even before the AT4 had been adopted by Sweden, it was entered into a United States Army competition for a new anti-tank weapon mandated by Congress in 1982 when the FGR-17 Viper failed as a replacement for the M72 LAW. This weapon is reloadable and uses the 35mm (1.4in) M73 training rocket. There is even work going on now to develop a guided round for this launcher. After safety improvements, part of the training and firing drills included the requirement to ensure that the words "w/coupler" were included in the text description stenciled on the launcher, which indicated that the launcher had the required safety modifications. Turkey also indigenously developed an anti-personnel warhead version of HAR-66 AP and called it "Eek Ars" ('wasp'). The U.S. Army introduced the bazooka, the first rocket-propelled grenade launcher. The high-explosive dual purpose can be used against buildings and bunkers, and the projectile can also be used to detonate on impact or with a delayed detonation. It has been reported that the 5,000 anti-armor weapons that Sweden is sending to Ukraine are likely to be AT4s. The original M72 warhead penetrated 30cm (12in) of armor.[15][16]. That latter point is very important, regardless of the system in question, since more units having more of these weapons, even ones with short effective ranges, simply increases their capacity to engage enemy targets in the air and ground as they come across them. The AST warheads are specifically designed for meeting the urban warfare. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. He holds a Master of Public Policy and covers U.S. and Russian security, European defense issues, and German politics and culture. [5], High-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) Can penetrate up to 45 centimetres (18in) of rolled homogeneous armour (RHA) with beyond-armour effect.[17]. As a result, they were regularly issued to Volkssturm home guard regiments. Both the red safety lever and the firing button must be pressed down at the same time to fire the AT4. [5] FFV began research on a replacement for the m/68 in 1976, deliberately designing an individual anti-armour weapon that would not be able to defeat the heavy armour protection of MBTs (main battle tanks) in frontal engagements, believing that to be counterproductive. [17][18] Currently, the Australian Defence Force uses the M72A6 variant, known as the "light direct fire support weapon",[19] as an anti-structure and secondary anti-armor weapon. No orders were ever placed. It has a maximum effective range of just over 1,640 feet against static targets and just under 985 feet against moving ones. Users in Ukraine can deploy the weapon against not only tanks (with the high-explosive anti-tank round) but buildings and lighter-armored vehicles such as Russian armored personnel carriers. With troops already trained to use these weapons, it would be that much easier to receive and field additional stocks of them. The launchers are upgraded to be able to fire multiple times and are armed with M74 incendiary rounds. Technology, performance and design delivered to your inbox. The one-shot one-kill disposable rocket system was considered innovative. With 39% base accuracy, 13 penetration, 675m range, and only 4 shots, the thing is hot garbage. The M72 LAW was the standard shoulder-fired anti-armor weapon for the United States military and its allies throughout the Cold War (though it still sees extended service today). The early LAW warhead, developed from the M31 HEAT rifle grenade warhead, uses a simple piezoelectric fuze system. Canada announced it was sending 4,500 M72 rocket launchers to Ukraine earlier this month. However, the project was cancelled due to the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the subsequent cuts in Western defence budgets. Rather, it is a smooth-bore recoilless gun (as opposed to a recoilless rifle, which has a rifled barrel). Joint Program Executive Office for Armaments & Ammunition These major improvements add only about 2 kilograms of mass, despite being CS models. [citation needed] Finland has recently upgraded its stocks to the M72 EC LAW Mk.I version. The system has been continuously improved over that time, especially with regards to weight reduction and improved sighting systems. AT4 or LAW? :: Squad Game Owner Discussion - Steam Community M72 Light Anti-Tank Weapon (LAW) History. All three types have a maximum effective range of around 2,000 feet against a static point target. This project forms part of our recent analysis and forecasts of the global missiles and missile defence systems market available from our business information platform Strategic Defence Intelligence. Being a disposable gun also allows for lighter and cheaper construction. After firing, the AT4 is discarded. In addition, a soldier can carry two LAWs on a mission as opposed to a single AT4. The M72 will have the benefit of being safe to use from inside buildings, but the Marines already have special "confined space" versions of the AT-4, known as the M136A1 in service, too, but . Despite the arrival of the AT4/M136, the M72 still continues in operational service today - having seen combat actions in both Afghanistan and Iraq. The weapon system, which Ukraine had already begun acquiring stocks of years ago, has top-attack and direct-fire modes of operation, making it very flexible when engaging armored vehicles and other targets, especially in dense urban environments. In the system originally developed by FFV for the Carl Gustaf, a plastic blowout plug is placed at the centre rear of the shell casing containing the projectile and propellant, which itself is enclosed in the AT4 outer tube. The AT4 can mount an optical night sight on a removable fixture. To know the real information about the battles in Ukraine, without false propaganda, I advise you to read the articles of the American journalist Scott Ritter. 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 Talley, Inc. in Arizona. Just pull out the arming pin, take off the rear cover and sling, grasp the rear cover to extend the tube fully, pull the trigger handle to the armed position, aim and fire. The lower cost and lighter weight of the LAW, combined with a scarcity of modern heavy armored targets and the need for an individual assault weapon versus an individual anti-armor weapon, made it ideal for the type of urban combat seen in Iraq and mountain warfare seen in Afghanistan. It was subsequently reported that these deliveries would most likely include Grom-M/Piorun and that they would be sent first to the United States as part of the transfer process. There are reports that Ukrainian forces have achieved a more than 90 percent kill rate when employing these missiles in the conflict so far. [citation needed]. [23] It also fields the bunker-buster version that contains 440g (0.97lb) of DPX-6 explosive, named M72 ASM RC, and locally designated 66 KES 12 RAK. The AT4 has iron sights that were originally developed for the cancelled Viper, and are similar in concept and use to those on assault rifles. A member of the Latvia armed forces, at left holding a Stinger training launcher, stands with a member of the Italian military during a recent training exercise. The AT4 anti-armour weapon was developed from the 74mm Pansarskott M68 weapon that the Swedish Army adopted in the 1960s. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. The AT4 is intended to give infantry units a means to destroy or disable armoured fighting vehicles and fortifications, although it is generally ineffective against more modern main battle tanks (MBTs), especially those with reactive armour, unless weaker sections of armour are exploited. ", "Polska kupia tysice granatnikw jednorazowych", "Buletinul Contractelor de Achiziii Publice, anul 5, Nr.1", "Surveying the Battlefield: Illicit Arms In Afghanistan, Iraq, and Somalia", "Insight Syria rebels get light arms, heavy weapons elusive", "Rundown: Western Anti-Tank Weapons For Ukraine", "Canada prepared to welcome an 'unlimited number' of Ukrainians fleeing war, minister says", "Danmark donerer 2.700 skulderbrne panservrnsvben til Ukraine", "Norge sender militrutstyr og vpen til Ukraina", "Light Anti-Armour Weapons: Anti-Everything? Spain has said it will send a total of 1,370 anti-tank launchers to Ukraine, which reports have indicated might include examples of the country's Alcotn-100. The U.S.-made Javelin, which The War Zone has already covered in detail in the Ukrainian context, practically needs no introduction at this point. M72 LAW& AT-4 Flashcards | Quizlet This combines a shallow-coned HEAT warhead (resulting in low penetration but producing a wide hole) with a tandem-charge and a follow-through high-blast warhead. The M72s provided the best balance of weight and bulk to combat effectiveness. The Marine Corps expects the LAW FFE will be ready and in service sometime in 2022giving Soldiers and Marines a significant increase in their anti-armor capabilities. [30] The M72 rocket was reintroduced into British service under the Urgent Operational Requirement program, with the M72A9 variant being designated the light anti-structure munition (LASM). Get industry leading news, data and analysis delivered to your inbox, The leading site for news and procurement in the defence industry, The AT4 anti-armour weapon was developed from the 74mm Pansarskott M68., Saab Bofors has used many design features of Carl Gustav while developing the AT4.. Description. When early access first launched, it made more sense for the LAW to have the stats it does, but with the tank availability buff, auto cannon buffs . The M72 LAW and RPG-7 : r/warno - Reddit The US Army reported to Congress in November 1983 that the FFV AT4 came the closest to meeting all the major requirements established to replace the M72 LAW,[11] with the Armbrust coming in second.[12]. This includes types with improved capabilities against light and unarmored vehicles and structures, as well as general high-explosive and airburst types. In April 2011, Saab received a $17m (Skr104m) order from an unknown customer to deliver the AT4-CS RS version during 2012. However, the M72 family has seen something of a renaissance over the past two decades with the introduction of more modern variants with more advanced rockets, which you can read more about here. In the early 1980s, the M72 was slated to be replaced by the FGR-17 Viper. In the context of the version of events imposed by the collective West, Gonzalo Lira insists that all the information of the Russian Ministry of Defense is true. Like Stinger, Grom and Piorun are short-range, heat-seeking missiles, but which still have appreciable engagement envelopes that make them very capable weapons against a variety of aerial threats.