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WARNING |
The M202A1 launcher is safe to load and fire if MWO 3-1055-456-50-2 has been applied. You can determine if MWO 3-1055-456-50-2 has been made to your launcher by looking at the identification plate located on the same side of the launcher as the sight. If launcher does not contain MWO 3-1055-50-2, it is unsafe to fire unless firing procedures outlined in Chapter 2, Change 3, TM 3-1055-456-12 are followed. |
The word "he" or "his" in this publication is intended to include both the masculine and feminine genders and any exception to this will be so noted.
This training circular provides guidance for use of the 66-mm rocket launcher, M202Al. It contains information on general characteristics, operating procedures, firing positions, misfire procedures, techniques of fire, maintenance, destruction of equipment to prevent enemy use, employment, and training.
Users of this training circular are encouraged to submit recommended changes and comments to improve the publication. Comments should be keyed to the specific page, paragraph, and line of text in which the change is recommended. Reasons should be provided for each comment to insure understanding and complete evaluation. Comments should be forwarded directly to the Commandant, United States Army Infantry School, ATTN: ATSH-I-V, Fort Benning, Georgia 31905.
The M202Al is a lightweight, individual rocket launcher aimed and fired on the right shoulder, from the standing, kneeling, or prone position. The launcher is loaded with a clip which contains four rockets, and it can fire from one to four rockets semiautomatically at a rate of one rocket per second and can be reloaded with a new clip. It is half as heavy as the M9Al-7 and M2Al-7 portable flamethrowers, has five times the range against point targets, and requires less servicing and maintenance.
The M202Al rocket launcher is issued to the headquarters and headquarters company of the following units in the quantities shown:
TYPE UNIT | AUTHORIZATION |
Mechanized infantry | 9 |
Infantry | 9 |
Airborne infantry | 6 |
Airmobile infantry | 9 |
They are issued as needed, generally one per rifle platoon. There is no dedicated gunner for the M202Al, and selected individuals in each rifle platoon and scout platoon should be trained in its use. The basic load for each launcher is three M74 rocket clips.
The M74 rocket is filled with 0.61 kilograms (1.3 lbs) of thickened pyrophoric agent (TPA). This TPA is triethylaluminum TEA), a substance similar to white phosphorus, which burns spontaneously when exposed to air. It burns at temperatures between 1400-2200 degrees Fahrenheit. The M74 rocket is used to engage area type targets, such as troops in the open, out to a maximum range of 750 meters and point type targets, such as bunkers or vehicles, out to a maximum range of 200 meters. The minimum safe firing distance to a target is 20 meters. (The M74 rocket has a bursting radius of 20 meters; therefore, engaging targets closer than 20 meters may result in injury to friendly troops.)
a. M202Al Rocket Launcher (fig 1-1). | |
Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.22 kg (1 1.5 lb) | |
Length . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 cm (27.0 in) | |
Operating temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .-32 degrees C to +60 degrees C | |
(-25 degrees F to +140 degrees F) | |
Weight with full clip. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 2.09 kg (26.6 lb) | |
Length with clip extended. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 cm (34.75 in) | |
Range at which a 0.5 probability of an effective target hit can be expected (firing one rocket clip): |
|
Bunker aperture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50 meters | |
Windows. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125 meters | |
Uncovered weapons positions and Stationary vehicles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .200 meters | |
Squad-size troop formations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .500 meters | |
Maximum range. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 750 meters | |
Minimum safe range. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 meters | |
Action. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .single shot | |
Sight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . reflex | |
Figure 1-1. M202A1 rocket launcher with sling.
b.M74 Rocket Clip (fig 1-2). | |
Weight. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.86 kg(15.1lb) | |
Length. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 cm (21.5 in) | |
Storage temperature. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -45 degreesCto+60degreesC | |
(-40 degrees F to +140 degrees F) | |
Muzzle velocity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 4.5 meters per second | |
Bursting radius. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 meters | |
Arming radius. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 to 1 3 meters (1 8 to 44 ft) | |
Caliber. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66-mm | |
Type. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . incendiary |