A History of the M72 LAWand

Current Improvement Programs

Nicholas Duke

39th Annual Gun & Ammunition/Missiles and Rockets Conference

April 13-16, 2004

Thoughts on M72

• Why is M72 so widely deployed?

• How has M72 maintained relevance for 40 years?

• Who can learn from the M72 technology strategy?

• What is the future vision for M72?1

What is the LAW?

• Firepower for the individual warfighter– Light close-combat lethality for mobile Soldiers– Disposable rugged round of ammunition– Minimal training needed to effectively employ– Highly proliferable and low cost

• This concept has adapted to world changes– New threats have been addressed– Modern tactics have been embraced– Emerging technologies have been exploited– Light weight, compact size have been maintained

2

What is the LAW?

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Improved M72A4, A5, A6/A7(Current Production)

Next Generation M72E9-DP(Under Development in Norway)

Next Generation M72E10-AP(Under Development in US)

Who has fielded the LAW?US Army

Fielded in Afghanistan and Iraq

SOF

4

Norway

USMCMore than 20 other allied nations

Why such wide deployment?

• M72 is not specialized for a single mission– Useful in a wide variety of combat scenarios

• Enough armor penetration to defeat most threat AFVs• Enough explosive to be effective versus material targets• Enough range to provide effective standoff

– Mobile enough to carry for contingencies• Carry weight and length don’t preclude other equipment• Multiple rounds can be carried by a single gunner• Ease of use allows for quick reaction

• M72 program is multi-national• Partnership between US and Norway• Talley, NAMMO, & NI cooperate to consider many

potential user viewpoints5

Mobility is Critical

• Carry weight is the major determinant– Soldiers are overloaded– Specialized equipment exists for every task– A multi-function contingency weapon must be light

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M72/A2 6 lb 26 in

M72A3/A7 8 lb 30.5 in

M72E8 9.5 lb 30.5 in

M72E9/E10 8/9 lb 30.5 in

AT4 15 lb 39.3 in

AT4CS 17 lb 41 in

SMAW-D 16 lb 32 in

Bunkerfaust 28 lb 48 in

RGW60 13 lb 34.6 in

How has it stayed relevant?

• M72 has a responsive technology strategy– Internal user demands (concerns, tactics changes)

• Generate M72 specific technology development

– External technology maturation (advancements)• Generates opportunities for M72 specific improvements

– Internal acquisition reforms (requirements)• Require integration of non M72 specific technologies

– Changes in external combat environment (threats)• Suggest integration of unforeseen capabilities and

adaptation to new missions

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Internal Environment

Suggest

External Environment

Integrative MechanicsG

ener

ativ

e M

echa

nics

M72 Weapon System

Internal Environment

Technology Determinants

Survivability Concerns

Modern Tactics

Advanced Warheads

Composite Materials

Emerging Threats

Asymmetric Warfare

Insensitive Munitions

Night Vision Devices

Fuze Safety

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Evolutionary Overview

1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015

150mm RHA IM

350mm RHA

300mm RHA

150mm RHA

The Improved LAW: Longer range and easier to operate

M72A4

M72A5

M72A6

M72A7

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The Next-Generation LAW: More lethal and survivable

150mm RHA IM

450mm RHA IM

Anti-Personnel IMUS unfunded requirement

M72E8

M72E9

M72E10

Norway funded program

US funded program

The Original LAW: Light, rugged, cost-effective

Reliability Upgrades

Reliability Upgrades

M72A1

M72

M72A2

M72A3 Safety Upgrades US/Norwegian Consortium

Technology Evolutions

• M72 to M72A1 & A2– Reliability upgrades developed to address User needs,

improve manufacturing processes

• M72A2 to M72A3– Safety upgrades integrated to respond to acquisition

changes, production shift to Norway

• M72A3 to M72A4, A5, A6– Gunner interfaces, lethality, and range upgraded for

changing User needs– A6 warhead integrated for new SOF mission

• M72A6 to A7– IM sensitivity upgrades integrated to address regulatory

changes and increase safety 10

Who can learn from M72?

• Many DoD programs can learn something– Modern pace of technology and threat changes,

coupled with tight budgets, demand it

• Lessons learned are:– Evolutionary path ensures program longevity

• Flexibility critical to meet needs, even change missions

– Map and track the programs technology drivers• Identify emerging needs & develop matching technology• Anticipate emerging threats and integrate counters

– International partnerships foster improvement• Alternative viewpoints considered• Larger User base ensures unbroken series of steps 11

Future Vision For the M72

– Fire From Enclosure (FFE) propulsion (M72E8)• Technology generated so M72 can rule MOUT combat

– Deep Penetrator (DP) warhead (M72E9)• Technology integrated to improve M72 vs threat armor

– Anti-Personnel (AP) warhead (M72E10)• Technology generated to evolve M72 to a new mission

– On-axis trigger firing mechanism (All)• Technology generated in response to User request

– Dual-safe fuze (All)• Technology integrated to improve safety for soldiers

and in storage and transportation12

• Adds Fire From Enclosure (FFE) propulsion– Low noise, low signature, greater range

– Maintains A7 multipurpose target lethality

– Improves launcher human factors

– Incorporates dual-safe fuze

– Mitigates IM sensitivities

Interior wall after 3 firings at 5 meters and 1 firing at 3 meters

M72E8-FFE

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M72E8-FFE Firing

M72E9-DP

• Adds Deep Penetrator (DP) warhead– >450mm RHA with enhanced behind armor effects– Incorporates dual-safe fuze– Improves launcher human factors

On-Axis Trigger Fold Forward Sights

NVD/Reflex Integral Sight Rails

Out-of-line Primer

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M72E10-AP

• Adds Anti-Personnel (AP) warhead– Blast/fragmentation warhead– Incorporates dual-mode target discriminating fuze– Improves launcher human factors– Maintains weight < 9.5 lb with rocket motor

• Anti-Personnel warhead– Detonates on contact with armor and concrete

• Large breachs and significant spall

– Penetrates brick, block, and earth & timber• Devastating lethality behind cover

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M72E10 vs Brick Structure

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Summary

• Benefits of an effective technology strategy– Increased versatility to the warfighter

– Reduced cost and schedule for PIPs

– Increased program longevity

– Builds on existing training infrastructure

• M72 LAW program provides example– System adapts to new threats and requirements

– Improvements underway for all subsystems

– Modular design and multiple Users keep cost low

– Fielding times < 3 years

– 40+ year program life to date17