1. A History of the M72 LAW and Current Improvement Programs
Nicholas Duke
39th Annual Gun & Ammunition/Missiles and Rockets Conference
April 13-16, 2004

2. 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

3. 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

4. (Under Development in US) (Under Development in Norway)
What is the LAW?
Improved M72A4, A5, A6/A7
(Current Production)
Next Generation M72E10-AP
(Under Development in US)
Next Generation M72E9-DP 3
(Under Development in Norway)

5. Fielded in Afghanistan and Iraq
Who has fielded the LAW?
US Army
Norway
SOF
USMC
More than 20 other allied nations 4
Fielded in Afghanistan and Iraq

6. 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 viewpoints 5

7. 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
M72/A2
6 lb
26 in
M72A3/A7
8 lb
30.5 in
M72E8
9.5 lb
M72E9/E10
8/9 lb
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 6

8. 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 7

9. Technology Determinants
Internal Environment
Suggest
External Environment
Integrative Mechanics
Generative Mechanics
M72 Weapon System
Survivability Concerns
Modern Tactics
Insensitive Munitions
Night Vision Devices
Fuze Safety
Advanced Warheads
Composite Materials
Emerging Threats
Asymmetric Warfare 8

10. Evolutionary Overview
1960
1965
1970
1975
1980
1985
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010
2015
The Original LAW: Light, rugged, cost-effective
Reliability Upgrades
M72A1
M72
M72A2
M72A3
Safety Upgrades
US/Norwegian Consortium
350mm RHA
300mm RHA
150mm RHA
The Improved LAW: Longer range and easier to operate
M72A4
M72A5
M72A6
M72A7
150mm RHA IM
The Next-Generation LAW: More lethal and survivable
150mm RHA IM
450mm RHA IM
Anti-Personnel IM
US unfunded requirement
M72E8
M72E9
M72E10
Norway funded program
US funded program 9

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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 transportation 12

14. Interior wall after 3 firings at 5 meters and 1 firing at 3 meters
M72E8-FFE
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 13

15. M72E8-FFE Firing

16. NVD/Reflex Integral Sight Rails
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
Out-of-line Primer
NVD/Reflex Integral Sight Rails 14

17. M72E10-AP Adds Anti-Personnel (AP) warhead Anti-Personnel 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 15

18. M72E10 vs Brick Structure 16

19. 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 date 17