Anaya Nolan
The M72 LAW is a single-shot, disposable rocket launcher with a unique mechanical set-back safety feature. Its low penetration capability makes it suitable for use against lightly armoured targets. Due to its short range and low splash damage, it is not suitable for anti-infantry warfare. The M72 LAW is relatively inexpensive, easy to handle, and lightweight, making it a popular choice for small-scale combat. Its design has inspired similar weapons in other countries, such as the RPG-18 in the Soviet Union. The question arises: can this weapon be used more than once?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of shots | Single-shot |
| Reusable | No |
| Launcher | Two tubes, one inside the other |
| Firing mechanism | Percussion-cap |
| Minimum arming distance | 15 meters |
| Range | Short |
| Sights | Iron |
| Effective against | Lightly armoured vehicles, buildings, first-generation tanks, sand camps, infantry fighting vehicles, APCs, humvees |
| Not effective against | Infantry (low splash damage and small blast radius) |
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What You'll Learn
M27's performance in modern combat
The M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle (IAR) is a lightweight, magazine-fed, select-fire rifle designed by Heckler & Koch to provide a high volume of accurate and suppressive fire in various combat environments. It has a rate of fire of 640 rounds per minute and an effective range of 500 meters. The M27 IAR is lighter, more accurate, and more reliable than the M249 SAW, which it replaced in certain infantry units of the US Marine Corps. The M27's free-floating barrel and piston-driven system contribute to its accuracy, reduced heat buildup, and improved reliability.
The M27 IAR was developed in the early 2000s as part of the US Marine Corps' Infantry Automatic Rifle (IAR) program, which aimed to create a more accurate, reliable, and lightweight automatic rifle. The M27 was officially adopted by the US Marine Corps in 2010 and has since seen extensive use in combat environments, including in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The M27's performance in modern combat has been praised by users, particularly for its accuracy, reliability, and reduced weight. One US Marine Corps Squad Leader reported that the M27 "performed flawlessly" in combat, calling it a "great rifle" that provides a high volume of accurate fire. The M27's accuracy is further enhanced by modern combat optics, which have made a significant difference in combat performance. The M27's lightweight design also makes it more maneuverable and easier to handle, increasing its effectiveness in offensive operations at the squad level.
The M27's ability to provide suppressive fire has been a topic of debate, as the M249 SAW it replaced had a greater volume of fire due to its belt-fed design. However, the M27's increased accuracy means that fewer rounds need to be used, and automatic riflemen can remain in combat longer and in more situations. The M27's select-fire capability allows it to shift between rifle accuracy at long range and fully automatic fire at short range, providing flexibility in different combat scenarios.
In terms of ammunition, the M27 IAR uses STANAG 4179 magazines, which are also compatible with the M16 and M4 rifles. The introduction of the PMAG 30 GEN M3 Window magazine helped improve reliability when using the M855A1 Enhanced Performance Round. The M27's ammunition is also more compact and easier to resupply than the M249's belt-fed ammunition, reducing the logistical burden on supply trains.
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M27's suppression capability
The M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle (IAR) is a designated automatic rifleman's weapon used to provide suppressing fire as part of a 4-man fire team. The M27 is based on the Heckler & Koch HK416 D16.5RS assault rifle and was selected by the Corps in 2010. It weighs 9 lbs (loaded) compared to the 22 lbs of the M249 SAW it was replacing, a significant difference when on five-hour missions.
The M27's suppression capability is a result of its accuracy and ability to engage with precision fire. While the M249 SAW relied on a high volume of fire and the sound of the machine gun to suppress the enemy, the M27 shifts the idea of suppression to engaging with precision fire, taking advantage of its rifle accuracy at long range and fully automatic fire at short range. An M27 gunner with one aimed shot can have the same effect as three or four automatic shots from the SAW, and still has the option of a heavier volume with an accurate grouping. The M27 is also easier to handle in close-quarters combat environments, and a gunner can easily transition from laying down suppression fire to clearing a building.
The M27's accuracy and precision are further enhanced by the use of advanced optics and accessories. The standard scope for the M27 is the SU-258/PVQ Squad Day Optic, which provides 3.5x magnification and features a Ruggedized Miniature Reflex (RMR) sight for close-quarters engagements. The M27 can also be fitted with a Picatinny rail system, which allows for the mounting of various accessories such as a fore grip for better handling and a bipod for stability in the suppression role.
The M27's suppression capability has been the subject of debate within the infantry, with some questioning its ability to provide fire superiority over the belt-fed M249 SAW. The M27 is a magazine-fed rifle that requires frequent reloading, which could result in a reduced rate of fire compared to the high-capacity magazines of the M249. However, proponents of the M27 argue that a lighter, more maneuverable, and accurate weapon is sufficient to suppress the enemy through rapid and well-aimed fire, an approach thought to be more effective against seasoned enemy troops.
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M27's ammo usage
The M27 is an infantry automatic rifle that was formally designated in the summer of 2010. It is also referred to as the HK416 and is an assault rifle that is featured in the video game Call of Duty: Black Ops II. The M27 can also be used in Call of Duty: Black Ops III using console commands. It is an effective weapon for Navy SEALs and is the primary weapon in the recommended loadout for the mission "Celerium".
In terms of ammo usage, each M27 gunner is equipped with around 22 30-round magazines, approximating the combat load of an M249 SAW gunner. The M27 is noted for its substantially increased accuracy compared to the M249, which it replaced. The M27 is also known for its reduced recoil, providing higher accuracy.
The M27 has a unique foregrip when the Grip is attached. The foregrip is rubberized and longer than regular foregrips, with an unusable flashlight attached to it. The M27's serial number is "JW420975".
In the context of the M72 LAW, which is a single-shot, disposable rocket launcher, there is no specific mention of the M27's ammo usage. The M72 LAW is a weapon that consists of a rocket within a launcher made up of two tubes, one inside the other. It generates a back blast that can be dangerous to those standing nearby when fired. The M72 LAW is short-ranged and uses iron sights, making it effective against lightly armored vehicles but less suitable for anti-infantry due to its low splash damage and small blast radius.
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![M27 [Explicit]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/815AQqLjdDL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
M27 vs M249
The M27 is a rifle that was selected to replace the M4/M16 used by the USMC. The M27 was chosen over the M4/M16 due to its improved accuracy, thicker barrel profile and material, and the removal of the three-round burst trigger. The M27 is also an external piston AR15, differing from the Direct Impingement/internal gas piston of a traditional AR15/M16/M4.
The M27 was also chosen to replace the M249 LMG, despite resulting in a loss of suppressive fire capability. The M27's substantially increased accuracy was cited as a significant factor in this decision. The M27 is a light automatic rifle, which differs from a heavier automatic rifle in its ability to maintain sustained continuous fire without stoppages, overheating, or loss of accuracy.
In December 2009, the H&K weapon won the competition and entered a five-month period of final testing. In the summer of 2010, it was officially designated as the M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle. The Marine Corps Operational Test and Evaluation Activity conducted further testing for dust, cold-weather, and hot-weather conditions. Limited fielding of 458 IARs were sent to four infantry battalions, with deployment to Afghanistan in 2011. In May 2011, Marine General James F. Amos approved the conclusion of the Limited User Evaluation (LUE) and ordered the replacement of the M249 LMG with the M27.
The M27 is now the standard-issue rifle for the USMC, with plans to equip every "0311" rifleman with the M27 IAR. The Marine Corps issued a request in early 2017 for 11,000 M27 IARs from H&K. As of August 2017, officials stated that the M27 "will be in the hands of combat engineers and light armored reconnaissance battalion scouts next."
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M27's adoption by the US military
The M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle (IAR) has been adopted by the US Marine Corps as their standard issue service rifle, replacing the M4 and M249 LMG. In May 2011, Marine General James F. Amos approved the conclusion of the Limited User Evaluation (LUE) and ordered the replacement of the M249 LMG with the M27. The fielding of approximately 6,500 M27 units was completed by 2013, costing $13 million. The Marine Corps intended to replace the M4 with the M27 within rifle companies and for those working alongside them, such as combat engineers.
The M27 is produced by H&K, with a deal finalised in 2018 for 11,000 M27s. The Marine Corps later increased their order, ultimately purchasing just over 14,000 M27s, with the last of the M27s arriving in their inventory in 2019. The M27 is expected to be in the hands of each infantryman from platoon commander and below by mid-2021.
The M27 has received majority positive reviews from the infantry, with improved accuracy cited as a significant factor in its adoption. In January 2017, a USMC unit deployed with KAC NT4 QDSS suppressors mounted to their M27 rifles, with exercises showing that suppressed weapons improved squad communication and surprise during engagements. This led to the Marine Corps ordering suppressors for all M27s used by close combat units, with a rollout beginning in December 2020.
Despite its adoption by the Marine Corps, the M27 has faced some criticism. The per-unit price paid by the USMC for the M27s has been described as high, and the M27 is also considered extremely heavy, upwards of a pound heavier than a comparable M4A1. The M27 has also been found to have a higher failure rate when using hot ammo, with double the malfunction rate of the M4A1 in the 2015 Aberdeen Magazine Test.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the M72 LAW is a single-shot, disposable launcher.
Once the rocket is fired, the M72 LAW is rendered useless and must be discarded.
The arming distance for all Light Anti-Tank rocket launchers, including the M72 LAW, is 15 meters.
The M72 LAW is used to destroy lightly armoured targets, such as first-generation tanks, buildings, and infantry fighting vehicles.
The M72 LAW was first used by the North Vietnamese Army during the Vietnam War and was later adopted by the US military in the war against terrorism in the 90s and 00s.
