Danish Army Upgrade M72 LAW
The Danish Army are reported to be currently trialling the Nammo M72 MK2 Enhanced Capability Lightweight Antitank Weapon (EC LAW) likely under a Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organization tender from 2017.
The M72 EC LAW, which features an on-axis trigger and a rail for mounting optics to improve accuracy and weighs in at 3.4 kilograms by utilizing a carbon composite tube, will supplement the AT-4 CS (M/97) and Carl Gustav M3 (M/85) now in service. Nammo Raufoss AS in Norway now produce the 66mm LAW in the United States and Norway.
The Jutland Dragoon Regiment are reportedly currents testing the EC LAW variant which offers a far reduced backblast, lessening the tell-tale signature of launch and the chances of wounding friendly personnel in the backblast area. The reduced backblast also means reduced over-pressurisation so that the weapon can be fired more safely from within structures.
It also features a vastly reduced muzzle flash, reported as equivalent to a 9mm pistol fired at night. To accomplish this, the EC LAW uses a liquid based, fire from enclosure (FFE) propulsion technology.
The Polish Armaments Group (PGZ Consortium) are currently in discussion to provide the EC LAW to the Polish Army through a joint venture with Nammo. The Polish Army are looking to supplement their RPG-7 based portable light anti-tank weapons with a disposable single-shot tube, allowing the weapon to be more widely carried and increasing anti-armour coverage amongst infantry units.
Nammo Group also offer the ASM (Anti Structure Munition) variant designed to penetrate “double-bricks walls; clay walls; timber and sandbag bunker[s]” with adjustable fuse lengths. The ASM is in-service with the British Army as the M72A9 Light Anti-Structure Missile (LASM) as part of an urgent operational requirement for service in Afghanistan. Both the ASM and the EC LAW Mk1 variant are also fielded by the Finnish with the EC LAW known as the 66 KES 12.