Weapons Used By The CF

M72 (SRAAW)

M72 Short-Range Anti-Armour Weapon (Light) SRAAW(L)

Characteristics:

• Light-Weight & Compact
• M54 Rocket Motor
• M214 or M214A1 Fuze
• M18 or M18A1 Warhead
• Maximum Portability
• High Destructive Capability
• One Man Operable, Requires a Minimum of Training
• Can be Used From Any of the Conventional Firing Positions
• Pre-Loaded, Single Shot
• Fired From a Disposable Waterproof Tube That Ignites and Guides Rocket on Initial Flight Towards Target
• No Sight Zeroing Required, Extremely Accurate
• Backblast Area Exists Behind Weapon During Firing
• Launcher Consists of 2 Telescoping Tubes. Outter Tube is Plastic and Inner Tube is Aluminum
• Rocket is a Precision Ignited, Fin Stabilized Fixed Munition
• 6 Spring-Loaded Fins Pivot Outward and Backward on Fiting to Assume Correct Flight Position

Range: 150m

Armour Penetration: 274mm or 10.8 inches

Development

The M72 SRAAW was developed during the 1960's by the Hesse Eastern Company. It was a revolutionary design for its, a pair of telescoped tubes with a preloaded HEAT rocket in place. The unit was light and compact and could be easily carried by an individual soldier. When required, the user extended the telescopic tube, which automatically cocked the launcher and erected the simple sight. The user placed the tube on his shoulder, took aim and squeezed the trigger to discharge the rocket to a range of up to 1,000m, though for effective anti-tank use the maximum range was about 150m against moving targets and 300m against stationary tanks. The warhead could penetrate just over 300mm of mild steel and the M72 was also effective against light field fortifications. The M72 was widely adopted by NATO and other armies and the design has since been copied in various countries.

In subsequent years the design had been improved and a manufacturing consortium set up. The current version is powered by a much-improved rocket motor and with a variety or more powerful warheads. Although primarily designed for the defeat of light armour, the weapon retains a moderate capability against main battle tanks when engaging them at the top, sides or rear.

The series of new variants, designated the M72A4, M72A5, and M72A6 are man-portable, lightweight, direct fire weapons. The tactical round consists of an in-tube burning free-flight rocket that is factory packed in a disposable telescoped launcher

Each rocket consists of three major assemblies: a 66mm high explosive warhead; a Point-Initiating, Base Detonating (PIBD) fuze and an improved rocket motor. Attached to the motor case are eight spring-loaded fins which are folded forward to lie alongside the rocket motor whilst in the launcher. Upon ignition of the rocket, gas pressure propels the rocket from the launcher and the fins spring out to stabilize flight.

The launcher, common to all three of the new series configuration, is a lightweight expendable assembly consisting of a hgih-strngth aluminiium inner tube, a glassfibre composite outer tube, sights, firing mechanism, safety intelocks, and a carrying sling. In the carry position the launcher seves as the field handling and storage container, allowing the weapon to be issued as a sealed single round of ammunition requiring no maintenance or field support.

Opening the launcher to the firing position releases the system safety interlocks, cocks the weapon and automatically deploys the pop-up rifle-type sights. In the firing position the launcher acts as the firing platform and initially guides the rocket on its relatively flat trajectory towars the target. After firing, the launcher is discarded.

Two important modifications made to the launcher are in the sights and the firing system. These improvements contribute to a substantial reduction in round-to-rouond dispersion at 250m compared to earlier models of the M72. To enhance the gunner's ability to acquire and maintain an accurate sight picture, the launcher employs rifle-type sights. The redesigned firing mechanism provides a more uniform trigger action.

The improved rocket motor gives a better hit probability at extended ranges and decreases the effects of misestimation of range. Rocket motor velocity is increased from 150 to 200 m/s, producing a two-fold increase in hit probability at 250m and a substantial increas in the system's operational range.

The M72A4 warhead is optimized to provide a minimum armour pentration of at least 355mm, together with limited behind-armour effects. The M72A5 warhead retains the proven A3 warhead which produces moderate behind-armour effects and not less than 350mm penetration. The M72A6 provides further increases in effectiveness against single, double-and triple-spaced armour on advanced infantry fighting vehicles, providing lethal behind-armour effects through reduced penetration and increased hole volume. The M72A6 also significantl increases fragmentation when fired against reinforced concrete and field fortifications.

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