Nammo Wins $500M for Full Rate Production of M72 Anti-Armor Weapons

The U.S. Army awarded Nammo Defense Systems Inc. a contract worth nearly $500 million for the full rate production of M72 Light Assault Weapons.

“Nammo Defense Systems Inc., Mesa, Arizona, was awarded a $498.09 million firm-fixed-price contract for the full rate production of M72 Light Assault Weapon variants and components for shoulder-launched munitions training systems,” the U.S. Department of Defense said in a statement today.

Work is expected to be completed by December 19, 2026.

The M72 Light Anti-Tank Weapon, also referred to as the Light Anti-Armor Weapon or “LAW” is a portable one-shot 66-mm unguided anti-tank weapon designed in the early 1960's for use against light tanks of that era. More recent and improved versions of the M72-series LAWs were produced in the 1990s and include the M72A4, M72A5, M72A6, and M72A7.

The rocket consists of an improved rocket motor that is capable of carrying various types of warheads to their intended target with high velocity (approx. 650 feet per second) depending upon the version of the LAW. Soldiers can accurately engage targets up to 250 meters away.

Although mainly used as an anti-armor weapon, it may be used with limited success against secondary targets such as gun emplacements, pillboxes, buildings, or light vehicles.