The Perfect Soldier: Special Operations, Commandos, and the Future of Us Warfare by James F. Dunnigan
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Dirty Little Secrets
LAW Goes Back to the Future
by James Dunnigan
November 25, 2005
Discussion Board on this DLS topic
The U.S. military is bringing back an “obsolete,” four
decade old anti-tank weapon because it is a cheaper, and more portable, way to
provide the infantry with some “portable artillery.” The Department of Defense
is buying 6,399 LAW (Light Anti-tank Weapon). Many training rounds are being
bought as well. These 7.7 pound, one-shot (the launcher is disposable)
anti-tank rockets were a replacement for the World War II bazooka (similar to
the Russian designed RPG). However, by the 1970s, it was obvious that the LAW
was not able to kill most modern tanks, and in late 1980s, was replaced by the
AT4. However, the heavier (15 pounds), and more expensive AT4 ($2,700 per each
disposable launcher and four pound warhead) is also larger (40 inches long and
3.3 inches in diameter.) Since American troops rarely faced enemy tanks, but
did frequently need some additional firepower to deal with enemy infantry in
bunkers or buildings, the AT4 was seen as a step backwards.
The LAW has several advantages. It is compact (20 inches
long, 2.6 inches in diameter), light (7.7 pounds) and cheap (about $2,000
each). It’s 2.2 pound warhead can still knock out light armored vehicles (and
unarmored ones as well), but it most often used against enemy troops inside
bunkers and buildings. For that job, the U.S. Department of Defense had
bought the SMAW (Shoulder-Launched Multipurpose Assault Weapon). This was
a 17 pound Israeli design (in response to the RPG). But the SMAW launcher costs
$14,000, and each rocket costs more than their RPG equivalents (and are a bit
more effective.) Actually, many troops have expressed an interest in just getting
the RPG, which has a larger (6 pound) warhead, and is a lot cheaper (the RPG
launcher goes for about $500 each, and the rockets can be had for under a
hundred dollars each). However, the compactness of the LAW, and better
accuracy, does make a difference on the battlefield, and is considered worth
the cost. The LAW is simple, light, easy-to-use and relatively cheap. It’s hard
to improve on that, which is why the LAW is making a comeback. Actually, it
never went away in many other armies.
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