Nammo finalises drone-mounted M72 development

Nammo Raufoss in Norway has finalised development of a unique low-cost loitering weapon concept that marries an M72-series 66 mm single-use lightweight anti-armour weapon with a manportable drone.

Provisionally designated ‘M72 Airborne’, the concept is intended to provide the infantry user with close-range shoulder-fired surface-to-surface or stand-off-range air-to-surface top attack engagement options in one weapon system.

“With the M72 mounted on a drone, users can bring the weapon to the target in a way not previously possible. This opens up both a ‘top attack’ option against more heavily armoured targets, even up to main battle tanks, while at the same time removing operators from the danger zone,” Quoc Bao Diep, vice-president, Large Caliber Systems at Nammo Raufoss, told Janes. The M72 variants designed to be used against armoured targets can penetrate at least 450 mm of steel.