When fired, the striker in the rear tube impacts a primer, which ignites a small amount of powder that "flashes" down a tube to the rear of the rocket and ignites the propellant in the rocket motor. Bipartisan. The HEDP 502 projectile can penetrate up to 150mm of RHA. The M74 TPA (thickened pyrophoric agent) had an incendiary warhead filled with TEA (triethylaluminum); this was used in the M202A1 FLASH (flame assault shoulder weapon) four-tube launcher. Versions that can be safely fired from inside buildings and other confined spaces have also been developed. [21][19], High explosive (HE) High explosive anti-personnel weapon that can be set for impact or air-burst detonation, with an effective range up to 1,000 metres (3,300ft). In order to combat the backblast difficulty a new variant called AT4-CS (confined space) has been introduced to specifically meet urban warfare requirements. As the warhead emerges from the launcher, six fins spring out from the base of the rocket tube, stabilizing the warhead's flight. PzF 3's effective range is between around 1,300 and 1,970 feet, depending on the exact type of ammunition and whether it is equipped with one of the more advanced sighting systems that have been developed for it over the years. Unlike the M72-series LAW, the M136 AT4 launcher need not be extended before firing. [38], Several M72A1 and M72A2 LAWs captured during the Vietnam War have been put into service with the chemical force of the Vietnam People's Army. Like the m/68, the AT4 was designed by Frenade Fabriksverken (FFV) and manufactured at their facility at Zakrisdal, Karlstad, Sweden. The high-penetration projectile has extra penetration ability, which enables it to pass through 500mm to 600mm of RHA. Nearly 600,000 AT4s have been delivered to the US military to date. I am ready to personally reward the old man for actively assisting the Russian special operation, Kadyrov said on his Telegram channel. The name AT4 is a word play on the 84mm caliber of the weapon, (84) 'eighty four' being a homophone of 'A-T-4'. Soldiers and Marines in Vietnam used it to penetrate and destroy enemy bunkers. 66mmAT4M136M72 M72M136 M72 LAW M72 The Greek, Polish, and Slovakian governments have, among other things, sent or are planning to send anti-tank rocket launchers, but it remains unclear what those weapons might be in either case. The compact size, lightweight, and low cost of these weapons make them well suited for anything but the most heavily armored vehicles. There was a lot of Ukrainian propaganda that turned out to be pure fantasy, but even after these stories turned out to be fake, people cling to them.. These weapons should be in the hands of Ukrainian fighters by now. I find your stupidity amusing. The War Zone has already profiled this weapon specifically, as you read more about here. In 1982, the AT4 was introduced into the US Army before the weapon was adopted by Sweden. Project A requires an original investment of $22,500. The XM96 RCR (riot control rocket) had a CS gas-filled warhead for crowd control and was also intended for use with the M202, though the rocket never entered service. Copyright 2023 Center for the National Interest All Rights Reserved. Unlike the heavier Carl Gustaf, the AT4 outer tube is built to take the stress of just one firing; it is not reusable and cannot be reloaded. The first versions of Stinger entered U.S. military service in 1981 and a number of improved variants have been introduced since then. [20], Extended range (ER) Anti-armor version with HEAT warhead. Stinger is a short-range weapon optimized for point defense, but even early types still had significant engagement envelopes. [5] FFV began research on a replacement for the m/68 in 1976, deliberately designing an individual anti-armour weapon that would not be able to defeat the heavy armour protection of MBTs (main battle tanks) in frontal engagements, believing that to be counterproductive. The increased importance of tanks and other armored vehicles in World War II caused a need for portable infantry weapons to deal with them. The AT4 is an 84-mm unguided, anti-armour weapon. After these changes, the AT4 was adopted by the US Army as the Lightweight Multipurpose Weapon M136. I heard your mom is a ruska suka.. yeap its true.. also you are a puppet.. cant even say war.. literally if you say the word WAR your masters will ship you off to siberia. The 20mm version also has a recoilless weapon effect with the same high noise and back blast as the AT4 firing and is favoured by the Swedish army because of the added realism of the back blast as compared to the "plonk" sound of the 9mm round (similar to the sound of a finger tapping on an empty can). The AT4 is an 84-mm unguided, anti-armour weapon. Then, the gunner moves back the front and rear sight covers, allowing the sights to pop up into their firing positions. The force of the main charge forces the copper liner into a directional particle jet that, in relation to the size of the warhead, is capable of a massive penetration. But this early version was not effective against North Vietnamese Army tanks. After safety improvements, part of the training and firing drills included the requirement to ensure that the words "w/coupler" were included in the text description stenciled on the launcher, which indicated that the launcher had the required safety modifications. PIN: 100266-001 TM 3-23.25, C1 Change 1 Headquarters Department of the Army Washington, DC, 14 December 2010 SHOULDER-LAUNCHED MUNITIONS 1. and is much easier to hit your target It costs more ammo to resupply (60 vs 40) and the kit doesn't get a ACOG on the M4 #2 Echoist Aug 31, 2020 @ 10:38pm Subsequent to the initial fielding of the weapon, a reusable night sight bracket was developed and fielded. The AT4 requires little training and is quite simple to use, making it suitable for general issue. The AT4 was designed by Frsvarets Fabriksverk (FFV) which had tested more than 100 weapons by early 1982 with the help of the Swedish Army. These people know what they are talking about, unlike the false propagandists here and, as you can see, the outright Nazis in the comments, who showed their true colors. For use against light armour, there is a smaller-cone HEAT warhead with 15 centimetres (5.9in) penetration of RHA. This list may well be incomplete. The LAW has been around since the early-1960s for use against Soviet light tanks in Europe. The LAW will continue to make the Russians pay for this oversight. Infantry anti-armor weapons, both guided and unguided, have been equally valuable for Ukrainian troops, who are facing a heavily mechanized foe on the ground. An RPG7 tube alone is 7kg. Improvements to the launcher and differences in the ammunition were differentiated by a single designation. For the guided anti-tank missile of the Soviet Union/Russia, see, "M136" redirects here. Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security. The LAW is nothing new, but it is combat-proven. The Marine Corps expects the LAW FFE will be ready and in service sometime in 2022giving Soldiers and Marines a significant increase in their anti-armor capabilities. Each rocket is another 2kg. [17][18] Currently, the Australian Defence Force uses the M72A6 variant, known as the "light direct fire support weapon",[19] as an anti-structure and secondary anti-armor weapon. Their information has been 100% accurate so far, which I think is a deliberate strategy. It placed another order worth $50m for AT4-CS additional units in July 2018. [30] The M72 rocket was reintroduced into British service under the Urgent Operational Requirement program, with the M72A9 variant being designated the light anti-structure munition (LASM). The problem of back blast was solved with the AT4-CS (Confined Space) version, specially designed for urban warfare. It is effective in assaulting tanks and combat vehicles, landing craft, helicopter, aircraft and armoured vehicles. The 14kg weapon had a claimed penetration of 90 centimetres (35in) RHA,[24] and in 1994 was demonstrated to defeat two NATO Single Heavy targets inclined at 68 degrees from vertical with ERA,[25] for a line-of-sight penetration of 600mm. Politics. Range is extended from 300 to 600 metres (980 to 1,970ft), with increased penetration up to 46 centimetres (18in) of RHA. The AT4 is a man-portable weapon used for the protection of vital assets, fixed defence installations and key supply points.Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, Estonia, France, Greece, Iraq, Ireland, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Malaysia, The Netherlands, Taiwan, Sweden, the UK, the US and Venezuela are among the countries that have deployed the weapon in their artilleries. It will become a force multiplier., Two types of ammunition will be used with the improved LAW FFE, a M72A8 anti-armor round and a M72A10 multi-purpose round. After firing, the AT4 is discarded. As long as soldiers are in range and have adequate line-of-sight, the LAW can be lethal against enemy tanks and armored vehicles. [16] They then remove the first of two safeties by moving the firing rod cocking lever (located on the left side) forward and then over the top to the right side. The M72 is the most common anti-tank weapon in the Finnish Army. [24], In late February 2022, the Norwegian government announced that it intended to donate "up to 2,000" M72 LAW units from their reserve stocks to Ukraine, in response to the Russian invasion. The LAWs lower explosive power also lent itself well to urban combat operations, where low collateral damage was a mission priority. John Antal. It has a maximum effective range of just over 1,640 feet against static targets and just under 985 feet against moving ones. Rather, it is a smooth-bore recoilless gun (as opposed to a recoilless rifle, which has a rifled barrel). This lightweight and thin barrel and low pressure, combined with the almost complete lack of recoil, means that relatively large projectiles (comparable to those found in mortars and artillery systems) can be utilised, which would otherwise be impossible in a man-portable weapon. A unique mechanical set-back safety on the base of the detonator grounds the circuit until the missile has accelerated out of the tube. The LAW's lower explosive power also lent itself well to . Do you get paid in turnips to sit at your desk at your troll farm and paste the same garbage on all articles? Despite the arrival of the AT4/M136, the M72 still continues in operational service today - having seen combat actions in both Afghanistan and Iraq. Of course, it is not possible to mention the Ukrainian journalist who was forced to flee Ukraine Anatoly Shariy. This task is greatly facilitated by Mr. Biden, who provides our fighters with modern American weapons. The system has been continuously improved over that time, especially with regards to weight reduction and improved sighting systems. One of the LAWsdrawbacksis the large back-blast and flash the anti-tank weapon creates when firing. In November 2010, Saab received a 15m order from the French Defence Forces for the light anti-tank weapon AT4 (confined space), a variant of AT4. All told, these new shipments will be added to the thousands of similar weapons already delivered to the embattled country. It has been reported that the 5,000 anti-armor weapons that Sweden is sending to Ukraine are likely to be AT4s. All of these had to be used within a few meters of the target, which was difficult and dangerous. Due to its low penetration capability, it is used mostly against lightly-armored targets. Many of the anti-tank weapons can be used against unarmored vehicles, structures, personnel, as well as armor. M72 Still Highly-Regarded in the Modern Era. The US Army tested other 66mm rockets based on the M54 rocket motor used for the M72. It was considered an excellent munition to be used against insurgents firing from close and medium range. Mary T. Cagle "History of the TOW Missile System", page 10, U.S. Army, 1977. Janes. He noted that Chechen fighters are busy 24/7 searching for and eliminating Bandera and nationalist evil spirits in Mariupol. Soldiers can carry it with a sling while also keeping their rifle at the ready. [9] The U.S. military was still purchasing LAW rockets as of January 2015. This project forms part of our recent analysis and forecasts of the global missiles and missile defence systems market available from our business information platform Strategic Defence Intelligence. It has two settings: either to destroy bunkers or to mouse-hole a building wall for combat entry. The AT4 was designed as a weapon to engage medium-to-light armoured vehicles from any direction or MBTs from the sides or rear, and as an assault weapon effective against buildings and fortifications. The new LAW FFE will provide a true Fire-from-an-Enclosure capability unlike anything the Marine Corps has ever seen, according to a Marine Corpspress release. Both practice cartridges are unique to their respective weapons, with their trajectory matched to that of the live round. A number of NATO members, including Poland and Slovakia, still have stocks of Soviet-era weapons that Ukrainian forces might already use, which could make it easier to transfer them and to get them issued out to combat units. Avenger Airsoft has managed to accurately recreate the famous Vietnam-era anti-armor weapon for safe use with airsoft scenarios. The AT4 is intended to give infantry units a means to destroy or disable armoured fighting vehicles and fortifications, although it is generally ineffective against more modern main battle tanks (MBTs), especially those with reactive armour, unless weaker sections of armour are exploited. The projectiles are preloaded into the launcher. The 1,000 anti-tank weapons that Germany is planning to deliver will most likely be PzF 3s, too, but it's unclear whether the stated figure reflects launchers or ammunition, or both. Wooden structures, even if they are heavy timbered, cannot offer any resistance to AT4. Now serving as 1945s Defense and National Security Editor, Brent M. Eastwood, PhD, is the author of Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare. However, the Viper program was canceled by Congress and the M136 AT4 was adopted instead. Originally developed as a collaborative effort between Swedish and British defense contractors, the U.K. government had sent around 2,000 of these weapons to Ukraine before the conflict broke out. M72 LAWA7 (HA29) XM807 AT4 Confined-Space Tandem Warhead (TW) M136 AT4 Light Anti-Tank Weapon (AT4) The M136 AT 4, the Army's primary light antitank weapon, i s a recoilless rifle used. Despite its obtuse name is a multi-purpose single-shot weapon that can be employed against light armored vehicles, as well as bunkers and other targets. However, as the cost of each launcher makes regular live-fire training very expensive, practice versions exist that are identical in operation but fire reloadable 919mm or 20mm tracer ammunition. U.S.-supplied Stingers were a key factor in the Soviet Union's ultimate defeat in Afghanistan in the 1980s. This weapon is reloadable and uses the 35mm (1.4in) M73 training rocket. [5][unreliable source?] It can be used against targets up to 274m. [27], The British Army had used the NAMMO M72 under the designation "rocket 66mm HEAT L1A1" but it was replaced by the LAW 80 during the 1980s. The manufacturers have since made modifications that have solved that problem. You still didnt say the word War btw did your communist masters remove those buttons from your 1991 keyboard? The project will yield cash flows of$5,000 per year for nine years. [7] The name also doubles as an alpha-phonetic word play on the weapon's role, due to "AT" being a common military abbreviation for "anti-tank". While some of these weapons, particularly the U.S.-made Javelin guided anti-tank missile and Stinger surface-to-air missile, have practically become household names, many more are much less well known. The back-blast in particular can pose problems in the fielda wide berth behind must be ensured before firing, and shooting from confined spaces, like indoors, can be dangerous. This Swedish-designed weapon, which the U.S. military was first to adopt in 1987, is in many ways a single-shot, disposable derivative of the Carl Gustaf. I hope to hear tomorrow about 20,000 destroyed Russian tanks and Ukrainian tanks near Moscow . It is a line of sight weapon with a range around 200 meters (660ft).[9]. Denmark had planned to send Stingers, but those missiles were past their shelf life and it was ultimately deemed to be impractical to have them refurbished in the United States first. Although generally thought of as a Vietnam War-era weapon that has been superseded by the more-powerful AT4, the M72 LAW found new popularity in the operations by the U.S. Army, the U.S. Marine Corps, and Canadian Army in Iraq and Afghanistan. I noticed the AT4 also gets 2 frags which makes the AT4 seem significantly weaker. But unlike the Carl Gustaf, which uses a heavier and more expensive steel tube with rifling,[15] the disposable AT4 design greatly reduces manufacturing costs by using a reinforced smoothbore fiberglass outer tube. Your email address will not be published. On impact with the target, the front of the nose section is crushed, causing a microsecond electric current to be generated, which detonates a booster charge located in the base of the warhead, which sets off the main warhead charge. If firing from the prone position, they must also place their legs well to the side to avoid burning himself. In addition, a soldier can carry two LAWs on a mission as opposed to a single AT4. Reports indicate that shipments of anti-armor weapons from Denmark and Finland might include different models of M72, possibly very modern Enhanced Capability (EC) types in the case of the Danish aid package. The disadvantage of the recoilless design is that it creates a large back blast area behind the weapon, which can cause severe burns and overpressure injuries to friendly personnel in the vicinity of the user and sometimes even to the users themselves, especially in confined spaces. [citation needed][note 2], With the failure of the M72's intended replacement, the Viper, in late 1982 Congress ordered the US Army to test off-the-shelf light antitank weapons and report back by the end of 1983. Both of these countries are among those planning to send Stingers to Ukraine.. A member of Lithuania's armed forces with a Grom MANPADS.. Canadian troops fire a Carl Gustaf recoilless rifle during training.. These major improvements add only about 2 kilograms of mass, despite being CS models. [23] It also fields the bunker-buster version that contains 440g (0.97lb) of DPX-6 explosive, named M72 ASM RC, and locally designated 66 KES 12 RAK. Turkey also indigenously developed an anti-personnel warhead version of HAR-66 AP and called it "Eek Ars" ('wasp'). When the gases build up to the correct pressure level, the blowout plug disintegrates, allowing the proper amount of gases to be vented to the rear, balancing the propellant gases pushing the projectile forward. A large amount of ammunition can be fired from AT4 as the weapon is recoilless. accounting. These advanced anti-tank missiles, which the U.S. and Estonian governments are continuing to send to Ukraine, are highly capable weapons with an advanced fire control system that enables them to be used effectively day or night. However, there is a danger from the backblast, and operators are trained to look behind the weapon tube to make sure friendlies are not in the caution or danger zone. ??? Ukrainian forces may also end up making good use of the reusability of the launcher simply based on what certain countries plan to provide. The Piorun, which only entered service in 2019 and is seen being tested in the video below, features an improved rocket motor and seeker system. The Republic of China Army (Taiwan) uses the M72 as a secondary anti-armor weapon. They were very efficient against tanks during the last days of World War II. [23], AT12-T In the early 1990s, there were tests of a tandem charge 120mm version (Bofors AT 12-T). page 90. The LAW was useful in Afghanistan as a small and light rocket system for use against short- and medium-range targets by foot patrols in the difficult terrain and high elevations of the country. Original Reporting. There have been reports that Germany is or has at least explored the possibility of sending 2,700 Soviet-era heat-seeking Strela-series MANPADS to Ukraine from stocks that had belonged to the now-defunct East German military. It's not clear what variants Ukraine may now be in line to receive. The guys especially fell in love with the Javelin ATGM, which has double effectiveness. There is even work going on now to develop a guided round for this launcher. [34][note 3], Although generally thought of as a Vietnam Warera weapon that has been superseded by the more-powerful AT4, the M72 LAW found new popularity in the operations by the U.S. Army, the U.S. Marine Corps, and Canadian Army in Iraq and Afghanistan. Dear German journalists from whom you can learn the truth are the famous Thomas Rper, who is on the Ukrainian front, a military expert from Germany, Thomas Gasta. At the same time, many of these systems, especially the single-shot disposable types, share many general similarities in terms of design and capability. AT4-CS is available with two types of warheads, namely HP and RS. [22], Bunker-busting (AT8) An AT4 version where the standard HEAT projectile is replaced with the bunker-busting warhead developed for the Mk 153 Shoulder-Launched Multipurpose Assault Weapon (SMAW). To know the real information about the battles in Ukraine, without false propaganda, I advise you to read the articles of the American journalist Scott Ritter. Technology, performance and design delivered to your inbox. Constant poverty, constant fear, all your media is state controlled. I heard that they stopped writing about the losses of Russian tanks. As of 21 February 2023, Canada has supplied 4500 M72s to Ukraine for use in the Russo-Ukrainian War. The LAW would be replaced not long after this photo. Quite recently there was a video of how nlow hit a Russian tank and did not cause any significant damage to the tank. [citation needed]. US must overhaul how it co-operates with allies and partners, The time of Arctic exceptionalism is over Lord Ashton, US Army begins Combined Resolve 18 exercise in Germany, French DGA completes first Akeron LP trials aboard Tiger helicopter, Rheinmetall to supply tank ammunition to European customer, Macquarie applaud Australias concern for cybersecurity, Elbit Systems records revenues of $5.511bn for FY22, Rheinmetall sales increase by 13% in fiscal year 2022, Leonardo posts new orders growth of 21% in full year 2022, Why high frequency emergency radio communications network is critical for island nations, How military uses of the IoT for defence applications are expanding, Land platform power packs, engine and transmission, Using Message Acknowledgements for Tracking, Correlation and Fire and Forget, M270 MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System), US, Marker Anti-Tank Robotic Unmanned Ground Vehicle, Russia. It, therefore, becomes difficult to use the weapon in restricted areas. The outer tube contains the trigger, the arming handle, front and rear sights, and the rear cover. The first to be used (with limited success) were Molotov cocktails, flamethrowers, satchel charges, jury-rigged landmines, and specially designed magnetic hollow charges. [28] It was used in action during the 1982 Falklands War, mainly to suppress Argentinian defensive positions at close range;[29] however, it was also used against an assault amphibious vehicle during the initial invasion and was one of the weapons which damaged the warship ARAGuerrico in the invasion of South Georgia. the complete disposable launcher and HEDP projectile is referred to by the manufacture in brochures as the LMAW (, Jane's Infantry Weapons 199596, page 220. Though the M136 AT4 can be employed in limited visibility, the firer must be able to see and identify the target and estimate the range to it. Saab secured an order from an undisclosed customer for AT4 CS ER (extended range) and the AT4 CS HP (high penetration) with deliveries scheduled for 2018. In accordance with the weapon's known limitations, a pair of "tank-buster" troops crawl to a firing position around 50 to 150 meters (160 to 490ft) away from the target, bringing with them four to six LAWs, which are then used in rapid succession until the target is destroyed or incapacitated. Anti-tank rocket-propelled grenade launcher, Modern M72 in use in Afghanistan with U.S. Marines, 2008, The U.S. Army partially replaced the super bazooka not only with the M72 LAW, but also the, Some reports state these instances were caused by misfires due to water in the flash tube and by unproven rumors of sabotage at the manufacturing plant during the Vietnam War. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. The US gets the standart AT-4 while GB gets a more modrn one. The heavier nose cap allows either to penetrate light walls or windows before exploding, or to be "skipped" off the ground for an air burst. In fact, some could argue that it is the perfect mix of high-tech, capability, and mobility for this conflict, but its range doesn't come close to the Javelin. The launcher and projectile are manufactured prepacked and issued as one unit of ammunition, with the launcher discarded after one use. The red firing button has a similar resistance to the trigger pull of a rifle, so the gunner does not have to jab at the firing button, which could throw their aim off. When extended, the inner tube telescopes outward toward the rear, guided by the channel assembly, which rides in an alignment slot in the outer tube's trigger housing assembly. For more information click here or contact us: EMEA: +44 20 7936 6783; Americas: +1 415 439 4914; Asia Pacific: +61 2 9947 9709 or via email. The effective range of the weapon depends on the type of rocket and the sights, but is generally around 720 feet for more recent models. The LAW is similar to the AT4 tank killer. There have been reports that Finland's shipments of anti-armor weapons to Ukraine could include the French-made APILAS. Both the red safety lever and the firing button must be pressed down at the same time to fire the AT4. The U.S. Army introduced the bazooka, the first rocket-propelled grenade launcher. The oldest version of the 66 KES 75 is now retired. (ice cold like the bodies of the frozen russian invaders in UKR). A member of the Latvia armed forces, at left holding a Stinger training launcher, stands with a member of the Italian military during a recent training exercise. Another key requirement was that the AT4 not only be able to penetrate armour, but also exhibit devastating beyond-armour effect after penetration. at the Hesse-Eastern Division of Norris Thermador. The core launcher has been improved, as well, including the addition of an accessory rail for the rapid addition of more robust sights. Matt Schroeder, a Senior Researcher at Small Arms Survey, an independent organization that investigates the supply and use of small arms and light weapons in international conflicts, has raised the possibility various reports may be confusing Strelas with Igla-series types that would be at least somewhat newer. They then take a firing position, ensuring that no one is present in the back blast area. Six weapons were tested in 1983 by the US Army: the British LAW 80, the German Armbrust, the French APILAS, the Norwegian M72E4 (an upgraded M72 LAW), the US Viper (for baseline comparison purposes) and the Swedish AT4. The AT8 is a new projectile developed for bursting bunkers and AT12 is another modern 130mm frontal engagement version projectile, which can penetrate front armour of any modern battle tank (MBT).

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