In the early seventies in the United States began to develop a new anti-tank weapons melee, management of which could carry one soldier. They wanted not only to replace the outdated Bazooka grenade launchers, but also to use them to protect buildings, not covered with anti-tank guided missile defense. The weapon was developed by the American company Hesse Eastern Co., and 1969 It was put into service of the US Army. Grenade launchers of this type are included in the equipment of the Australian Army, Belgium, Denmark, Great Britain, Israel, Canada, The Netherlands and Austria. In Norway, the US disposable RPG LAW M72 M72 A2 and A3 are produced under license.
RPG LAW M72 – video
Modifications of the first model, and is now available in the US. It is not known, than improved versions differ from basic. There is only information about, that grenade models 72 and 72 A1 (produced before) punched steel armored thickness from 250 mm 275 mm, and new versions - 305 mm. obviously, It uses a more powerful grenade with shaped charge.
Grenade launchers M72 LAW (LAW - Light Antitank Weapon - light anti-tank weapon) disposable kit supplied by the manufacturer in the grenade in the barrel and with a charge. To bring weapons to combat readiness, necessary to delay the outer tube 280 mm back. The outer tube is made of glass fiber reinforced plastic, inside - from an aluminum alloy.
On the trunk are the trigger and hammer mechanism, sighting device and handle for carrying. The sighting device consists of a framework sight, installed with a pitch 25 m ranges from 50 to 350 m, and folding diopter. With a framework of sight defined scale deflection when shooting at targets, moving at speeds up to 24 kmh. Moving targets can be hit at a distance 150 m, fixed - up 300 m. As the manufacturer assures, the damaging effects of a cumulative charge and possible at a distance 1000 m. The grenade propellant charge has reactive, stabilizer, consisting of six elements, and percussion fuze.
The performance characteristics of RPG LAW M72
Length: 635 mm (25 inches)
Diameter: 76,2 mm (3 inch)
Maximum range: 1000m (1100 yards)
Effective range: 200 m
The minimum shooting distance: 9 m (10 yards) (Fuse switch cocked)
broneprobivaemost: 350 mm
Weight grenade: 2041 g (4,5 pound)
Warhead type: high-explosive fragmentation HE (later, It has been replaced by a cumulative HEAT)
Explosive: with gunshot
Type of jet engine: is solid (total burnout before the departure of the rocket launch tube)
Photos RPGs LAW M72
