The latest M-72 rocket launcher on display at the Urban ANTX-18 exercise held March 22 aboard Camp Pendleton, California. (Shawn Snow/Staff)
Task & Purpose: This Iconic Vietnam-Era Rocket Launcher Just Got A Major Upgrade, And Marines Say It’s A ‘Game Changer’
First adopted by the Army and Marine Corps at the height of the Vietnam War, the M72 Light Anti-Tank Weapon (LAW) has remained a staple of infantry arsenals and action movies for over a half-century. Lightweight and reliable, the 66mm rocket system has a reputation for fantastic results. When Dirty Harry and Rambo are in the mood to make an explosive entrance, they lay down the LAW.
Now, Marines may get their chance to test a new and improved version of the tried-and-true M72 round. Defense News reports that arms maker NAMMO is working on an upgrade that wouldn’t just offer a suite of adjustments to fire control but purportedly all-but eliminate backblast, the heat and overpressure created by each round that can limit the use of anti-tank weapons like the M72 in combat.
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Update #1: US Marines Might Soon Get New Versions of The Vietnam-Era M72 Rocket Launcher (The Warzone/The Drive)
Update #2: Vietnam-era rocket launcher may get a new lease on life as Corps ponders a deadlier M-72 (Marine Times)
WNU Editor: One cannot help but be impressed on how a weapon that has been used ofr years can be (and is) improved upon.
