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A History of the M72 LAW and Current Improvement Programs

A History of the M72 LAW and Current Improvement Programs. Nicholas Duke 39 th 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?

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A History of the M72 LAW and Current Improvement Programs

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  1. A History of the M72 LAWand 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. 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. 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 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 Internal Environment Generative Mechanics Integrative Mechanics M72 Weapon System External Environment Survivability Concerns Modern Tactics Insensitive Munitions Night Vision Devices Fuze Safety Advanced Warheads Composite Materials Emerging Threats Asymmetric Warfare 8

  10. Evolutionary Overview M72 M72A1 Reliability Upgrades The Original LAW: Light, rugged, cost-effective M72A2 Reliability Upgrades M72A3 Safety Upgrades US/Norwegian Consortium M72A4 350mm RHA The Improved LAW: Longer range and easier to operate M72A5 300mm RHA M72A6 150mm RHA M72A7 150mm RHA IM M72E8 US funded program 150mm RHA IM The Next-Generation LAW: More lethal and survivable M72E9 Norway funded program 450mm RHA IM M72E10 US unfunded requirement Anti-Personnel IM 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. M72E8-FFE Interior wall after 3 firings at 5 meters and 1 firing at 3 meters • 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 13

  15. M72E8-FFE Firing

  16. 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 • 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

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