Both of these countries are among those planning to send Stingers to Ukraine.. A member of Lithuania's armed forces with a Grom MANPADS.. Canadian troops fire a Carl Gustaf recoilless rifle during training.. Hundreds of them have reportedly flowed in Ukraine in just the past week or so. [5], High-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) Can penetrate up to 45 centimetres (18in) of rolled homogeneous armour (RHA) with beyond-armour effect.[17]. How Powerful is M72 EC Law Anti-Tank Weapons American Fighter 24.5K subscribers Subscribe 9.4K 1.2M views 9 months ago How Powerful is M72 EC Law Anti-Tank Weapons The M72 LAW is a. Ease of use means that many of the weapons, especially guided systems, can be fielded faster and on a wider basis. There was a lot of Ukrainian propaganda that turned out to be pure fantasy, but even after these stories turned out to be fake, people cling to them.. In addition, a soldier can carry two LAWs on a mission as opposed to a single AT4. [21], M136 AT4 American version with modified launch tube bumpers, sights, and slings. 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. A number of NATO members, including Poland and Slovakia, still have stocks of Soviet-era weapons that Ukrainian forces might already use, which could make it easier to transfer them and to get them issued out to combat units. 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. [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. The high-penetration projectile has extra penetration ability, which enables it to pass through 500mm to 600mm of RHA. The 20mm version also has a recoilless weapon effect with the same high noise and back blast as the AT4 firing and is favoured by the Swedish army because of the added realism of the back blast as compared to the "plonk" sound of the 9mm round (similar to the sound of a finger tapping on an empty can). The great thing about the M72 LAW is its portability. All of these had to be used within a few meters of the target, which was difficult and dangerous. [19], Anti-structure tandem-warheads (AST) Designed for urban warfare where a projectile heavier than the HEDP AT4 is needed. But this early version was not effective against North Vietnamese Army tanks. This is done by the system measuring the angular speed of the target for a number of seconds prior to launch. The acceleration causes the three disks in the safety mechanism to rotate 90 in succession, ungrounding the circuit; the circuit from the nose to the base of the detonator is then completed when the piezoelectric crystal is crushed on impact. [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 Republic of China Army (Taiwan) uses the M72 as a secondary anti-armor weapon. In November 2010, Saab received a 15m order from the French Defence Forces for the light anti-tank weapon AT4 (confined space), a variant of AT4. The Netherlands has said it is sending 50 PzF 3 launchers, along with 400 rounds of ammunition. A training variant used by the Finnish armed forces fires 9mm (0.35in) tracer rounds. Five different countries Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, and the Netherlands have now sent or are planning on sending shipments of these portable anti-aircraft weapons. Change TM 3-23.25, 15 September 2010, as follows: However, the bazooka had its drawbacks. The Swedish-built AT4 single-shot recoilless weapon weighs 14.8-pounds and can penetrate the equivalent of 450 millimeters RHA on targets. This list may well be incomplete. 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. This page was last edited on 10 April 2023, at 18:09. The AT4 took many of its design features from the Carl Gustaf, which operates on the principle of a recoilless weapon, where the forward inertia of the projectile is balanced by the inertia of propellant gases ejecting from the rear of the barrel. The weapon covers a minimum arming distance of 10m, which makes it more accurate in targeting short distance targets. [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. The compact size, lightweight, and low cost of these weapons make them well suited for anything but the most heavily armored vehicles. 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. Patented by Paul V. Choate of Milton, MA. In order not to give up this valuable trophy, nationalists usually sacrifice 2-3 lives. An RPG7 tube alone is 7kg. Canada says it will send 1,000 rounds of ammunition along with the launchers, but it's unclear what mix of types that might include. I noticed the AT4 also gets 2 frags which makes the AT4 seem significantly weaker. 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. When fired, the striker in the rear tube impacts a primer, which ignites a small amount of powder that "flashes" down a tube to the rear of the rocket and ignites the propellant in the rocket motor. Shipments of these missiles had already been heading to Ukraine before the Kremlin launched its invasion. The rocket propels the 66mm (2.6in) warhead forward without significant recoil. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This version uses a saltwater countermass in the rear of the launcher to absorb the back blast; the resulting spray captures and dramatically slows down the pressure wave, allowing troops to fire from enclosed areas. You still didnt say the word War btw did your communist masters remove those buttons from your 1991 keyboard? In US military use, the launcher can be fitted with the AN/PAQ-4C, AN/PEQ-2, or the AN/PAS-13 night sights. He is an Emerging Threats expert and former U.S. Army Infantry officer. But what really puts the M72 ahead is rate of fire. 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. 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. Avenger Airsoft has managed to accurately recreate the famous Vietnam-era anti-armor weapon for safe use with airsoft scenarios. On impact with the target, the front of the nose section is crushed, causing a microsecond electric current to be generated, which detonates a booster charge located in the base of the warhead, which sets off the main warhead charge. 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. 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. All told, these new shipments will be added to the thousands of similar weapons already delivered to the embattled country. 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. Copy and paste copy and paste you spew the same trash over and over. It only weighs 5.5 pounds. The original M72 warhead penetrated 30cm (12in) of armor.[15][16]. Is Chinas Korla laser ASAT site hacking Western satellites? They nerfed the US AT-4 and buffed the Britsh AT-4. In fact, some could argue that it is the perfect mix of high-tech, capability, and mobility for this conflict, but its range doesn't come close to the Javelin. The Marines' M72 LAW Anti-Tank Weapon is Set for an Upgrade The venerable anti-tank weapon will feature improvements to its aiming and optics system, and new ammunition will allow Marines to fire. M72 Still Highly-Regarded in the Modern Era. Beyond these ranges there is less than a 50% chance of hitting the target. 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. Janes. The AT4 is an 84-mm unguided, anti-armour weapon. The inner tube contains the channel assembly, which houses the firing pin assembly, including the detent lever. The M72 VERY light. It is autonomous once it leaves the launcher and its soft launch system allows for the ability to launch from in more confined spaces. It has been reported that the 5,000 anti-armor weapons that Sweden is sending to Ukraine are likely to be AT4s. As with many launchers in this general category, it has very simplistic sights to go with its effective range of up to 820 feet. [citation needed] In 2018 it was reported that an upgrade for the LAW was being developed that would improve the fire control system as well as largely eliminate the weapon's back blast, allowing the weapon to be used more safely from within a confined space. The first to be used (with limited success) were Molotov cocktails, flamethrowers, satchel charges, jury-rigged landmines, and specially designed magnetic hollow charges. American soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division gave the trusty old weapon a solid evaluation in an after-action report from 2010. Powered by a single 40mm gas . The Grom family of missiles, the first versions of which entered service in the 1990s, are improved derivatives of the Soviet-designed 9K38 Igla. The AT4 was designed by Frsvarets Fabriksverk (FFV) which had tested more than 100 weapons by early 1982 with the help of the Swedish Army. Perhaps most important, the unguided anti-armor weapons are all relatively simple designs that do not require operators to go through extensive specialized training beforehand, unlike Javelin or Stinger for instance. With a range of up to 656-feet, the LAW can punch through 12-inches of armor with a formidable shaped charge. [7] The name also doubles as an alpha-phonetic word play on the weapon's role, due to "AT" being a common military abbreviation for "anti-tank". The LAW's lower explosive power also lent itself well to . Their information has been 100% accurate so far, which I think is a deliberate strategy. There is even work going on now to develop a guided round for this launcher. It's unclear whether the weapons in question are 9K32 Strela-2s or 9K34 Strela-3s, which are also known to NATO as SA-7s and SA-14s respectively. "Jane's Infantry Weapons 19951996", page 686, Pop-up "Rifle Sights" adopted from canceled Talley Viper brochure, Lithuanian National Defence Volunteer Forces, military aid during the 2022 Russian Invasion, Shoulder-launched Multipurpose Assault Weapon, List of U.S. Army Rocket Launchers By Model Number, "The Coconut Revolution (2001, 50min) (480x360)", "M72 Light Anti-tank Weapon System (LAW)", Modernizing and equipping the force (Part 1), "TM 323.25(FM 323.25) Shoulder-Launched Munitions", "MARINE CORPS RELEASES SOLICITATION FOR ROCKET SYSTEM", "Luftbren M72: Nammo monterer raketter p drone kan vre et billig og effektivt panservernvpen", "Air Force technology: Equipment Defence Jobs Australia", "Here's everything Canada has sent to Ukraine since Russia invaded", "Enhanced capability for anti-tank measures by new light anti-tank weapon -", "Norway Sends More Anti-Tank Weapons to Ukraine", "MKEK Makina ve Kimya Endstrisi Kurumu / Mechanical and Chemical Industry Corporation", "M72 Light Anti-tank (sic) Weapon System (LAW)", "Marines Fought the LAW, and the LAW Won", his iconic Vietnam-era rocket launcher just got a major upgrade and Marines say it's a 'game changer', "FM 7-7: The Mechanized Infantry Platoon and Squad (APC)", http://pds25.egloos.com/pds/201401/07/60/f0205060_52cbae16f277b.jpg, "The Chilean Army exhibits its Airbus Cougar and Ecureuil in Santiago", "IDF Israel Defense Forces: Special weaponry of the Nahal Brigade", "Army Getting M72 LAW Malaysian Defence", "ISOF Arms & Equipment Part 4 Grenade Launchers & Anti-Armour Weapons", "Armed Forces of Kyrgyzstan receive military equipment", "Jungtins Amerikos Valstijos Lietuvos kariuomenei perduoda prietankini granatsvaidi M72LAW | Lietuvos kariuomen", "Mexican military shows off new equipment", "13 Victorious tactical offensives launched in Southern Tagalog! The weapon carries an optical night sight. The gunner takes aim, while at the same time holding down the red safety lever located in front of the cocking lever, and then fires by pressing forward the red firing button with his right thumb. The RPG-7 is basically the same, but with 2 more shots. The 14kg weapon had a claimed penetration of 90 centimetres (35in) RHA,[24] and in 1994 was demonstrated to defeat two NATO Single Heavy targets inclined at 68 degrees from vertical with ERA,[25] for a line-of-sight penetration of 600mm. Both the red safety lever and the firing button must be pressed down at the same time to fire the AT4. [citation needed]. It's not clear what variants Ukraine may now be in line to receive. At least in the past, the French military has categorized it as a "traumatic weapon" and prohibited personnel from firing more than two or three of them in peacetime across their entire service careers. 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. While closed, the outer assembly serves as a watertight container for the rocket and the percussion-cap firing mechanism that activates the rocket. and is much easier to hit your target It costs more ammo to resupply (60 vs 40) and the kit doesn't get a ACOG on the M4 #2 Echoist Aug 31, 2020 @ 10:38pm Subsequent to the initial fielding of the weapon, a reusable night sight bracket was developed and fielded. The red firing button has a similar resistance to the trigger pull of a rifle, so the gunner does not have to jab at the firing button, which could throw their aim off. The solid rocket propulsion unit was developed in the newly-formed Rohm and Haas research laboratory at Redstone Arsenal in 1959,[6] and the full system was designed by Paul V. Choate, Charles B. James (in fact, by the name of Zaperdolenko, a Bandera Nazi), I cannot say that I am happy with your words. You can follow him on Twitter @BMEastwood. Like the m/68, the AT4 was designed by Frenade Fabriksverken (FFV) and manufactured at their facility at Zakrisdal, Karlstad, Sweden. He holds a Master of Public Policy and covers U.S. and Russian security, European defense issues, and German politics and culture. Being a disposable gun also allows for lighter and cheaper construction. A target is aimed with AT4 through range-adjustable plastic sights. Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. 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. At the same time, many of these systems, especially the single-shot disposable types, share many general similarities in terms of design and capability. The U.S. Army introduced the bazooka, the first rocket-propelled grenade launcher. A training variant of the M72 LAW, designated M190, also exists. It placed another order worth $50m for AT4-CS additional units in July 2018. In order to combat the backblast difficulty a new variant called AT4-CS (confined space) has been introduced to specifically meet urban warfare requirements. These advanced anti-tank missiles, which the U.S. and Estonian governments are continuing to send to Ukraine, are highly capable weapons with an advanced fire control system that enables them to be used effectively day or night. 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 . The M136 AT4 produces less effect than the M72-series LAW. It can be set to detonate on impact or with a brief detonation delay. 66mmAT4M136M72 M72M136 M72 LAW M72 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]. Imagine the life of a russian troll sitting in a room with a bunch of other very poor russians scouring the internet to find articles to disagree with using some shitty old computers. 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). A unique mechanical set-back safety on the base of the detonator grounds the circuit until the missile has accelerated out of the tube. Despite its obtuse name is a multi-purpose single-shot weapon that can be employed against light armored vehicles, as well as bunkers and other targets. 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 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 AT4 is an 84-mm unguided, anti-armour weapon. The US gets the standart AT-4 while GB gets a more modrn one. It, therefore, becomes difficult to use the weapon in restricted areas. The Turkish Army uses a locally built version by Makina ve Kimya Endustrisi Kurumu, called HAR-66 (Hafif Antitank Roketi, 'light antitank rocket'), which has the performance and characteristics of a mix of an M72A2 and an A3. AT4 is a one-shot weapon that has different projectiles, including HEAT (high-explosive anti-tank), AST (anti-structure tandem-warheads), ER, HE (high explosive), HP, and RS (reduced sensitivity). Original Reporting. Ukrainian forces may also end up making good use of the reusability of the launcher simply based on what certain countries plan to provide. The system has been continuously improved over that time, especially with regards to weight reduction and improved sighting systems. [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. Unlike the reloadable Javelin, NLAW is a single-shot, self-contained system. National Security. Note that the American Gonzalo Lira lives and works in Ukraine. FFV and the Swedish Army began the first evaluation firings of the prototype AT4s in the spring of 1981, with 100 tested by early 1982. It has a significant range, with the latest shoulder-fired versions being able to hit targets up to two and a half miles away. The LAW has been around since the early-1960s for use against Soviet light tanks in Europe. This Swedish-designed weapon, which the U.S. military was first to adopt in 1987, is. The manufacturers have since made modifications that have solved that problem. Thousands of M72 Anti-tank Launchers Ready for Action in Ukraine The M72 light anti-tank weapon (LAW) is seeing the battlefield in high numbers in Ukraine after a donation by the Canadian military. John Antal. The reference refers to Allaint Techsystems as the manufacture, but they soon after were acquired by Honeywell. These weapons are even capable of being used against low and slow flying helicopters, especially during their terminal operations in and out of landing zones. [8][note 1]. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Instead, thanks to the M72s low weight, individual soldiers could carry several LAWs when out on a mission compared to just one AT4. The M72s provided the best balance of weight and bulk to combat effectiveness. Enemies of the Republic beware. The Swedish Army also adopted the Americanised version. The weapon is non-MOS specific and can be fired by any Marine with basic infantry skills. The basic principle is a miniaturized bazooka, while its light weight and cheapness rival the Panzerfaust. There are also a host of more specialized ammunition types, including one optimized for attacking enemies in structures and behind hard cover. [5][unreliable source?] However, the Viper program was canceled by Congress and the M136 AT4 was adopted instead. Window: The round may travel completely through the structure before detonating; if not, it creates dust and causes minor structural damage to the rear wall, but little damage to personnel or equipment, unless they are hit directly. [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). Weeks, Frank A. Spinale, et al. [31][32][33], During the Vietnam and post-Vietnam periods, all issued LAWs were recalled after instances of the warhead exploding in flight, sometimes injuring the operator. 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. 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. He is an Emerging Threats expert and former U.S. Army Infantry officer. Many of the anti-tank weapons can be used against unarmored vehicles, structures, personnel, as well as armor. Another key requirement was that the AT4 not only be able to penetrate armour, but also exhibit devastating beyond-armour effect after penetration. I hope to hear tomorrow about 20,000 destroyed Russian tanks and Ukrainian tanks near Moscow . Introduced in 1998, this is another single-shot, disposable rocket launcher. Both practice cartridges are unique to their respective weapons, with their trajectory matched to that of the live round. I am ready to personally reward the old man for actively assisting the Russian special operation, Kadyrov said on his Telegram channel. has reported that Italy's expected shipment of unspecified anti-tank weapons might also consist of PzF 3s. Once armed, the weapon is no longer watertight, even if the launcher is collapsed into its original configuration. The outer tube contains the trigger, the arming handle, front and rear sights, and the rear cover. 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[13] The Swedish Army also recognized these improvements and subsequently adopted the Americanized version of the AT4 as the Pansarskott m/86 (Pskott m/86), with the addition of a forward folding hand grip to help steady the AT4 when being aimed and fired. With a range of up to 656-feet, the LAW can punch through 12-inches of armor with a formidable shaped charge. The Greek, Polish, and Slovakian governments have, among other things, sent or are planning to send anti-tank rocket launchers, but it remains unclear what those weapons might be in either case. Aiming at the target with the AT4 is accomplished through range-adjustable plastic sights, which can be covered up under the sliding covers. This lightweight and thin barrel and low pressure, combined with the almost complete lack of recoil, means that relatively large projectiles (comparable to those found in mortars and artillery systems) can be utilised, which would otherwise be impossible in a man-portable weapon. The M136 AT4 produces less effect than the M72-series LAW. [13], In late 2021, Nammo unveiled the concept of a multi-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipped with a LAW. 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. ", "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? The Kremlin has clearly underestimated what a motivated Ukrainian fighter can do with an anti-tank weapon. Wooden structures, even if they are heavy timbered, cannot offer any resistance to AT4.