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M72 LAW
Model: M72 LAW (Light Anti-Tank Weapon)The US's take on the Panzerfaust concept, the LAW on paper is a wasteful, low powered relic of the Vietnam war. However, it's light weight and sufficient firepower has granted a long life in the armories of over forty nations. While the original contractor, the US Army has dropped it, the US Marines have made large purchases for use in urban warfare, and it is a staple of special forces armories.
The primary advantage of the M72 is identical to that of the Panzerfaust; rather than a dedicated anti-tank team, each infantryman could carry a number of rockets, increasing the unit's flexibility on the whole. However, with advances in modern armor, the LAW is relatively ineffective in it's intended role. It is more suited to urban warfare, where light,
unarmored "technicals" and entrenched infantry is the biggest concern. In this role, it excels.Where to find:
The LAW is one of the more common designs out there. In addition to widespread imitation and use by a number of third world nations, it's unique perks have kept it strong in the armories of modern militaries.
Complexity:
Maintenance is non-existent on the user end, and usage is fairly simple as it is a disposable weapon.
Size and weight:
Weight 105 ounces (2.5 kg) completed. Collapsed length 612.5mm Extended length 825mm.
Variants tend to be somewhat larger and heavier.
Action:
Single shot, telescopic rocket launcher. Disposable
Caliber(s):
66mm Rocket.
Magazine:
N/A
Trigger:
A single action trigger set in the top of the launcher, cocked upon open the launcher.
Controls:
There are few controls on the LAW. The end caps and sling mounts are held in place by a pin on the rear of the launcher. The front sight and rear sight are spring loaded, popping into place when launcher is extended. Directly in front of the rear sight is the trigger, and in front of that is the safety, which is pulled forward before firing. A second button in front of the safety is used to collapse the launcher.
Loading:
The weapon does not have to be loaded, but there is still a process to put the LAW into a ready-to-fire state. The launcher itself has instructions.
1) Remove the pin from the rear of the launcher and remove the end cap. This will cause the front cap and sling to fall from the launcher.
2) Firmly grasp the ends of the launcher and pull them open until it locks. The sights should pop up.
3) Shoulder the launcher and deactivate the safety by pulling it forward. Be sure to grasp the plastic part of the tube, not the barrel.
4) Being sure of the area fifty feet behind you, squeeze the trigger
Unloading:
1) Activate the safety by pushing it inwards.
2) Push the button in front of the trigger, and collapse the tube partially.
3) Fold the front, then the rear sight, continuing to collapse the tube so they are held in place.
4) Recover the front cap and place it onto the launcher, threading the sling onto the rear cap.
5) Replace the rear end cap and re-insert the safety pin.
It's quite a pain to collapse the tube. Hang on to all the components, or, better yet, only open the tube when deployment is certain. Another important note is that the round is only water tight until opened for the first time.
Field Stripping:
This does not apply to this weapon.
Design Quirks:
The LAW design is widely copied. Both Russia and China have made their own versions of the design, and several different manufactures have made the original launcher. It's a handy weapon ideally suited to today's battlefields.
John_234 |
Latest page update: made by John_234
, Oct 15 2011, 11:27 PM EDT
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