LAW 80 replaced the 84mm Carl Gustav and the US 66mm in service with the British Army, and infantry units in armoured and mechanised battalions have been equipped down to section level with this weapon. 

The latest materials and explosives technology have been utilised in this man portable weapon which is capable of destroying main battle tanks at ranges of up to 500m. 


Outstanding accuracy against both static and moving targets is achieved by the use of a built-in semi-automatic spotting rifle which reduces aiming errors prior to firing the main projectile. This feature roughly doubles the first-shot kill probability and the shaped charge warhead penetrates armour in excess of 650mm. In addition to the low light performance of the built-in sight, full night capability is available using a night sight.

Hunting Engineering has also developed a range of systems to fire the weapon as a remotely fired anti-tank mine. Each system utilises a standard LAW 80 with identical tripod and firing unit. Called ADDERMINE – it is suitable as an off-route mine and is fired when a trip or break wire is disturbed. 

ADDERMINE/ARGES- is a fully autonomous off-route mine system. The programmable sensor package is capable of selecting a particular target before firing. ADDERLAZE - provides the remote capability to engage single or multiple targets at ranges of up to two kms by the use of a coded laser pulse to fire the weapon.

A replacement has been planned for LAW 80 entitled NLAW. This weapon is intended to embody many of the features of LAW 80 but have an increased range out to 600m. There is also a possibility that the weapon will have an in-built bunker busting capability. NLAW is currently completing a development and assessment programme with a projected in-service date of 2006.

Photo Crown Copyright