How the M72 LAW Revolutionized Light Anti-Tank Warfare in the 1960s

The M72 Light Anti-Tank Weapon (LAW) was created to give soldiers a lighter, more portable alternative to earlier anti-armour systems. Developed in the 1960s, it became a key tool for infantry in various conflicts. Its compact design and ease of use made it a significant advancement in military technology. Work on the M72 LAW began at Redstone Arsenal in Alabama. The U.S. Army Ordnance Missile Command led the project, with Hesse-Eastern Division as the main contractor. The weapon was standardised in 1963 and adopted by the U.S. Army and Marine Corps, with production starting the same year.

The first units received the M72 LAW in 1963, with wider distribution from 1965 onwards. It weighed just 5.5 lbs (2.5 kg) in its A1 and A2 versions, featuring a 66mm HEAT rocket inside a two-piece fibre-glass and aluminium launch tube. Infantry used it extensively in Vietnam against bunkers, pillboxes, and armoured vehicles.

Its impact spread beyond U.S. forces. The Soviet Union introduced the RPG-18 in 1972, closely mirroring the LAW’s design. While effective in urban combat and against fortifications, the M72 had limited success against heavy armour. The M72 LAW remained in service worldwide long after the Vietnam War. Its most notable contribution was providing individual soldiers with a disposable, powerful weapon. The system’s portability and firepower set a new standard for light anti-armour weapons.