RPG bazooka is a single-soldier anti-tank weapon developed by the former Soviet Union. It was mass-produced around 1961 and became one of the standard equipments of the Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact. RPG is one of the most representative weapons of war ever, from Middle East to Southeast Asia, from Africa to Central and South America, it is the most familiar weapon for many regular troops, guerrillas and even terrorists.
However, since RPG is one of the standard equipment of the Warsaw Pact, it is in the context of the comprehensive confrontation between such as the Cold War . RPG is also like many Soviet weapons (AK-47 and M-16, T80 and M1 tanks, SU-27 and F-15 fighter) , and also has its own American weapons - M72 type 66mm bazooka .
M72 series bazooka was developed by the American Hesey Oriental Company in 1958, mass-produced in 1963, and equipped with a large number of American troops in 1964. This type of bazooka is lightweight, small in size, and flexible in the arrangement. If necessary, a single soldier can carry two, which can greatly improve the offensive ability of the infantry detachment. It is one of the main representatives of the non-organization of small bazooka.
How to use this rocket launcher: Before launch, open the back cover, remove the front cover assembly, and push the trigger safety and push rod forward about 25 mm. The aiming device is mechanical. The equipped rocket shell is stamped with high-strength aluminum alloy, and contains 19 thin-walled tubular propellants. The 6-piece front-stack tail wing is hinged on the support ear at the rear end of the tail nozzle. When it is ejected from the cylinder, it is automatically opened by the torsion spring.
M72 series of bazooka has been widely used in the Vietnam War and the Middle East War. Its range, armor-breaking thickness, etc. are similar to RPGs during the same period. Use mechanical sights; maximum range is 1000 meters, effective range is 150 meters (for active targets), 300 meters (for fixed targets). Armor breaking thickness: vertical armor breaking thickness 305 mm ( Armor breaking bomb ).
However, compared to the old enemy RPG on TV every day, M72 seems a bit unknown. What is the reason for this old enemy's situations are very different?
in one sentence - cost-effectiveness. RPG is like a firearm. The launcher can be reloaded after one round and then loaded the warhead. The M72 is pre-packed with the bullet and the bullet. After the shooting, the launcher cannot be loaded and thrown away directly. The characteristics of make M72 have no market in many armed organizations with poor material conditions. After all, throwing it away after the fight is too luxurious for these people, and the poor account for the majority in this world. This makes the M72 not widely adopted like RPG. Although the
M72 series of bazooka is not as well as RPG, its performance is still undeniable. It has been widely adopted by many NATO member states and licensed in Norway. It has also been copied and produced by many countries, such as the 66mm HEAT L1A1 in the UK and Canada, the former Soviet Union's imitation and production (RPG-18 and RPG-26) Türkiye's HAR-66, etc.
, what do you think M72 compares to RPG?
