Cameron Miranda
The M72 LAW is a 66 mm rocket launcher that was developed during World War II as a countermeasure to the increasing prevalence of tanks. It is a disposable, shoulder-fired rocket launcher that comes pre-loaded with a single rocket. The rocket is fitted with a high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead and is automatically discarded upon use. While some sources claim that the M72 LAW cannot be reloaded, others suggest that it can be reloaded at least once, though this is not a standard procedure. A reloadable variant of the M72 LAW, known as the M190, exists as a training weapon. The M72 LAW has been used by various military forces around the world and has seen action in conflicts such as the Vietnam War, the Russo-Ukrainian War, and the war in Afghanistan.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reloadable | Some sources claim that the M72 LAW cannot be reloaded once fired and must be disposed of. However, other sources suggest that it can be reloaded at least once, although this is not a standard procedure. A reloadable variant, the M190, also exists. |
| Use | The M72 LAW is a 66 mm disposable, shoulder-fired rocket launcher developed during World War II as a countermeasure against tanks. It is pre-loaded with a single 66 mm rocket fitted with a high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead. |
| Weight | Lighter weight compared to other weapons, making it ideal for urban combat and mountain warfare. |
| Cost | Lower cost compared to other weapons. |
| Usage | Can be fired from inside buildings as long as the structures are at least 3.7 by 4.6 meters in size and have sufficient ventilation. Modern variants are designed with fire-from-enclosure (FFE) capability. |
| Users | Used by the British Army from the 1970s to the early 1990s and reintroduced for the Afghanistan war. Also used by the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, Canadian Army, Finnish Army, Australian Defence Force, and supplied to Ukraine during the 2022 Russian Invasion. |
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What You'll Learn
- The M72 LAW is a disposable, single-use rocket launcher
- It can be reloaded in Finland, but it's not standard procedure
- The M190 is a reloadable training variant of the M72
- The M72 has been used by the US, UK, Canadian, Chinese, and Finnish armies
- The M72 is a 66 mm rocket launcher with a high-explosive anti-tank warhead
The M72 LAW is a disposable, single-use rocket launcher
The M72 LAW has a historical presence in various conflicts, including the Vietnam War, the Russo-Ukrainian War, and the Afghanistan War. Notably, Canada supplied 4,500 M72s to Ukraine during the 2022 Russian Invasion. The M72 is also the most common anti-tank weapon in the Finnish Army, with Finland upgrading its stock to the M72 EC LAW Mk.I version.
While the M72 LAW is typically considered a single-use weapon, there have been reports and modifications that suggest the potential for reloading. For instance, the Vietnamese Army modified the M72 LAW into a reusable thermobaric rocket launcher. Additionally, a reloadable training variant, the M190, exists and is used by the Finnish armed forces. These instances, however, are not standard procedures or widely implemented.
The M72 LAW has certain limitations, such as its low penetration capability, making it more effective against lightly armored targets. It also has specific requirements for safe firing from enclosures, with modern variants being designed with improved fire-from-enclosure (FFE) capabilities. The M72 LAW has been superseded by more advanced rocket launchers in some military forces, but it continues to be utilized in specific contexts where its characteristics align with the tactical needs.
In summary, the M72 LAW is a disposable, single-use rocket launcher that has been widely adopted by various military forces for its portability, lightweight, and effectiveness against lightly armored targets. While there have been modifications and variants that enable reloading, the standard M72 LAW is typically treated as a disposable weapon, discarded after a single use.
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It can be reloaded in Finland, but it's not standard procedure
The M72 LAW is a 66 mm rocket launcher that was developed during World War II as a countermeasure to the increasing prevalence of tanks. It is a disposable, shoulder-fired rocket launcher that comes pre-loaded with a single rocket. Once fired, the M72 usually cannot be reloaded and must be disposed of. However, there are some exceptions and modifications that allow for reloading.
In Finland, the M72 LAW is known as the 66 KES 75 (M72A2, no longer in service) and 66 KES 88 (M72A5). Finland has recently upgraded its stocks to the M72 EC LAW Mk.I version. The Finnish Army uses the M72 extensively, with around 70,000 pieces in service, making it the most common anti-tank weapon in the Finnish Armed Forces. While it is possible to reload the M72 in Finland, it is not a standard procedure. The feasibility of reloading the M72 was studied during wartime, but a reloading line and standard operating procedure were never implemented.
The M72 was intended to be a one-shot weapon, with the fiberglass tube being disposed of after use. However, modifications have been made to repurpose the rocket housing to ignite the scatter charge in the rocket differently, allowing for multiple uses. These modifications were made to earlier models up to the M72A3, but it is unclear if they can be applied to later variants. Additionally, a reloadable variant of the M72, known as the M190, exists as a training weapon and uses the 35 mm M73 training rocket.
While the M72 LAW is commonly used as a disposable weapon, the feasibility of reloading it has been explored in certain contexts. In Finland, the M72 is reloaded as a depot maintenance procedure, but it is not a standard practice for front-line use. The reloadable M190 variant also offers an alternative for training purposes. Modifications to extend the lifespan of the M72 beyond a single use have been made, but they are not widely implemented.
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The M190 is a reloadable training variant of the M72
The M72 Light Anti-Tank Weapon (LAW) is a portable, one-shot, 66mm unguided anti-tank weapon. It was designed to be disposable, with no intention for multiple uses. However, the M190 is a reloadable training variant of the M72.
The M190 is made by adding an M190 subcaliber conversion kit to an expended M72A2 LAW launcher. It uses the 35mm M73 training rocket, which is shorter and lighter than the M72's 66mm tactical rocket. The M73 rocket simulates the tactical rocket's smoke and flight trajectory but with less noise and backblast. The M190 can be used in all training phases, from a fixed firing line to simulated tactical situations.
The M190 subcaliber launcher can be reloaded, and the procedures for loading and firing are the same as those for the M72. The M190 is a rare example of a sub-caliber trainer, and it is a valuable tool for military training, as it allows for repeated use and practice with the weapon system.
While the M72 LAW is typically intended to be disposable and not reloaded, there have been modifications and workarounds to make it reloadable. For example, the Vietnamese Army modified Vietnam War-era M72 LAWs into reusable thermobaric rocket launchers. However, this was not a standard procedure and was not implemented widely.
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The M72 has been used by the US, UK, Canadian, Chinese, and Finnish armies
The M72 Light Anti-Armor/Anti-Tank Weapon (LAW) was designed in the early 1960s for use against light tanks. It entered service with the US military in 1963, seeing its first combat use in Vietnam. The M72 LAW has since been exported to 39 countries and has seen use in multiple conflicts, including the Gulf War, Afghanistan, and Iraq, and the Falklands War. The M72 is known for its balance of weight and bulk to combat effectiveness, making it a fast and easy-to-use weapon.
The US Army has praised the M72 for its versatility and effectiveness against insurgents at close and medium ranges. The weapon has also been used by the UK, with the British Army employing the NAMMO M72 during the Falklands War in 1982. The M72 was phased out and replaced by the LAW 80 in the 1980s, but it was reintroduced in 2012 under the Urgent Operational Requirement program.
The M72 has also been used by the Canadian Army, which supplied 4,500 M72s to Ukraine during the Russo-Ukrainian War. The Finnish Army extensively uses the M72, with around 70,000 pieces in service. It is the primary light anti-tank weapon in the Finnish Army, known for its ability to destroy lightly armored targets. Finland has upgraded its M72s to the M72 EC LAW Mk.I version, enhancing its penetration capability.
The M72 has also seen use by the Chinese and Turkish armies. The Turkish Army uses a locally built version called the HAR-66, which combines the performance and characteristics of the M72A2 and A3 variants. While the M72 was designed as a single-use disposable weapon, there have been reports of reloading attempts, particularly in Finland, where it was studied for feasibility during wartime.
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The M72 is a 66 mm rocket launcher with a high-explosive anti-tank warhead
The M72 LAW is a 66 mm rocket launcher with a high-explosive anti-tank warhead. It was developed during World War II as a countermeasure to the increasing prevalence of tanks. The M72 is a disposable, shoulder-fired rocket launcher that comes pre-loaded with a single 66 mm rocket. It is known for its low cost, lightweight, and portability, making it ideal for urban combat and mountain warfare. Due to its low penetration capability, it is commonly used against lightly armoured targets.
The M72 LAW has been used by various military forces around the world, including the US Army, the US Marine Corps, the Canadian Army, the British Army, and the Finnish Army. It has seen action in conflicts such as the Vietnam War, the Afghanistan War, and the 2022 Russian Invasion of Ukraine.
The M72 is typically intended to be a one-shot, disposable weapon, and official sources state that it cannot be reloaded once fired. However, there have been reports and modifications that suggest reloading is possible, at least in theory. For example, the Vietnamese Army modified the M72 into a reusable thermobaric rocket launcher, and some sources claim that the weapon can be reloaded and fired multiple times.
A training variant of the M72, designated as the M190, is also reloadable and uses a 35 mm M73 training rocket. This variant is used by the Finnish Armed Forces and is designed for training purposes rather than combat.
The M72 LAW has undergone various improvements and variants have been developed, such as the M72A2, M72A5, and M72 EC LAW Mk.I, each with its own designations and specifications. The M72 rocket has also been integrated into modern technologies, such as being mounted on a multi-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to enable attacks on tanks and armoured vehicles from a top-down position.
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Frequently asked questions
The M72 LAW is a disposable, shoulder-fired 66 mm rocket launcher that is pre-loaded with a single 66 mm rocket. It cannot be reloaded once it has been fired and must be discarded. However, there is a reloadable variant of the M72 LAW called the M190.
The M190 is a training variant of the M72 LAW that can be reloaded and uses the 35 mm M73 training rocket.
The M72 LAW uses a high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead rocket.
