troung

US Military Begins to Experience the LAW Again
Posted 26-Sep-2005 06:55


The Vietnam-era, disposable-launcher, 66mm LAW rocket was making a comeback with the US military. The LAW may be a poor weapon choice against Soviet tanks, but the 7.5 pound M72a7 is an excellent choice for forces needing lightweight, short-range, bunker-busting firepower at reasonable cost. Given that the second scenario often prevails on the battlefields of the Global War on Terror, buying a new-generation LAW is a wise move.

Total quantities procured to date:

16,920... M72AS 21mm Subcaliber Trainer Rockets
TL. Value = $893,467

350... M72AS Trainer Launchers
TL. Value = $456,056

6,399... M72A7 LAW w/Graze Fuze and NVD Mount, HE, 66mm. These are combat-ready field weapons, not training versions.
TL. Value = $12.9 million,

or about $2,020 per throwaway LAW.

Compare these figures to $13,000 for the unguided 17 lb. 83mm SMAW, or $2,700 for the unguided, 15 lb. M136 (AT4-CS). The guided Javelin missile that was being used in the LAW's place at times costs $75,000 per missile and $125,000 per launcher unit. While RAFAEL's Spike guided missile costs much less at $4,000 per missile and $6,000 per launcher, it weighs 52 lbs. for the whole guidance system/ missile /tripod system. Given these comparative weight and cost figures and the kinds of threats US forces currently face, the LAW's renewed popularity becomes easy to understand.


Marines Fought the LAW, and the LAW Won
Posted 10-Mar-2005 09:03


Older versions of Talley Defense Systems' M-72 light antitank weapon (LAW) were used extensively during the Vietnam War, where their performance showed that only larger, shoulder-fired rockets would stop a Soviet tank. Post war, the bigger and longer-range AT-4 missile and the Shoulder-launched Multipurpose Assault Weapon (SMAW) became the Marine Corps' rockets of choice. Now a modernized M-72A7 LAW is making a comeback, to positive reviews from Marines headed for urban combat in Iraq.

Four factors account for the LAW's renewed popularity:

# Low mass & bulk.
# Reduced backblast and hence secure firing.
# An explosion of lightly armored targets on the battlefield.
# Cost.

At only about 30" long and about 7.7 lbs., the M72a7 LAW is 10" shorter and far lighter than a 15 lb. AT-4/M136, and very much lighter than a 17 lb. SMAW. Improvements in the LAW's rocket propulsion have also reduced the back-blast, so it can be fired from a concealed window in urban house-to-house street fighting. As Chief Warrant Officer 5 Pat Woellhof noted:

"The weight and size allow any Marine to strap it to an assault pack… (It's) better for moving down an Iraqi alley to seek cover. It's as wide as your shoulders, and you can get in a window or doorway... With the AT-4 or the SMAW, you have to expose yourself to fire... The LAW is designed to augment the AT-4 against the technical Toyota (pickup truck) with a machinegun on board or against [lightly-fortified] urban positions."

With respect to the last item, cost, the LAW is substantially cheaper than the $75,000 Javelin missiles that might be used in its place, or the $13,000 SMAW. At under $2,500 per weapon, it is slightly cheaper than the M136/AT-4, more compact, and weighs only half as much. Which means that it's far more likely to be available on the battlefield when needed. The M72a7 LAW may pack less punch than other options, but its 66mm rocket is more than enough to destroy a pickup truck, or punch through improvised urban fortifications.

The LAW may keep on winning, too. A family of designer rounds is being developed for the new version - including a high-heat and high-pressure thermobaric warhead (i.e. fuel-air explosive) capable of killing everyone in a bunker or confined space, an antipersonnel warhead that can detonate at 100 meters or more and throw shrapnel fragments at enemy troops, and of course the traditional antitank warhead.

lemontree

Dump the LAW and go for the 84mm Carl Gustav. Its more accurate and has more range.

__________________

Cheers!...on the rocks!!

leib10

Carl Gustav is more expensive.

__________________
"The right man in the wrong place can make all the difference in the world. So wake up, Mr. Freeman. Wake up and smell the ashes." G-Man

lemontree

...then buy it from India and not from Europe. The US Army Rangers already use this and call it the M2 (14.2kg) cost US$1950 or M3 (8.5kg) US$2600 per RCL but in India the M2 would cost about US$250, (I am not aware if we make the lighter 8.5 kg version).

Officer of Engineers

Captain,

You and I both know that money is not the issue with the Americans.

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Chimo

FSV

Both the Army & Corps have enough infantry anti-armor weapons. What both services have found out in Iraq is that they needed more infantry weapons to deal with houses, bunkers, & 'fighting points/positions'.

The Corps does have the SMAW (the cost listed in before is for the launcher), firing HEDP & NE (Thermobaric) rds, to deal with these targets. The Grunts looove the NE's 'target effects', the word 'impressive' doesn't adequately describe it. But Commanders discovered problems: 1. They really needed far more launchers. For MOUNT operations each Rifle Squad needs at least 1 or 2 launchers. 2. The warheads are a bit too effective. Quite often they 'total' the buildings they are 'fired' at. While great during 'general' combat operations, for 'stability' operations you want to kill people without destroying the buildings. 3. You really can't 'fire' the SMAW from an enclosed building.

In Iraq, the Army & Corps have been on the receiving end of the RPG-7 HE-FRAG rds. And have come to the conclusion that their Rifle Squads need the same capability. The LAW variant beats the 40mm, M-203, in range & 'lethal area'.

The Corps has been fielding the M72-NE for a few months (basically a Pre-Production order).

Both variants can be safely 'fired' from enclosures. Here is a good video of them.

http://www.talleyds.com/tds_web_vide...eb%20Video.wmv

Jake

War to the knife....Knife to the hilt.

Weps

I like the Flechette rounds.

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B.Smitty

LAW and the CG have different employment patterns & basis of issue. They aren't interchangable.

A LAW can be issued to a rifleman as a munition & carried along with his regular load.

A CG requires a dedicated gunner & assistant.