View source for M67 recoilless rifle

{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Short description|American type of recoilless rifle}}
{{Distinguish|M67 grenade}}

{{Infobox weapon
| name               = M67 recoilless rifle
| image              = [[File:M67 recoilless rifle 01.jpg|300px|border]]
| caption            = The M67 recoilless rifle
| origin             = United States
| type               = [[Recoilless rifle]]
<!-- Type selection -->| is_ranged          = yes
| is_bladed          = 
| is_explosive       = yes
| is_artillery       = 
| is_vehicle         = 
| is_missile         = 
| is_UK              = <!-- Service history -->
| service            = 1960s–present
| used_by            = 
| wars               = {{plainlist}}
* [[Vietnam War]]
* [[Cambodian Civil War]]
* [[Laotian Civil War]]
* [[Lebanese Civil War]]
* [[Nicaraguan Revolution]]
* [[Salvadoran Civil War]]
* [[Third Indochina War]]
* [[Soviet–Afghan War]]
* [[Falklands War]]
* [[United States invasion of Grenada]]
* [[United States invasion of Panama]]
* [[1989 Philippine coup d'état attempt]]
* [[Gulf War]]
* [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|War in Afghanistan]]
* [[Moro conflict]]
{{endplainlist}}<ref name="Philippines" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/rufus_mcdonald/status/869886699924373505|title=Wayback Machine has not archived that URL.|via=[[Twitter]]|author=rufus_mcdonald}}{{dead link|date=April 2023}}</ref>
<!-- Production history -->| designer           = 
| design_date        = 
| manufacturer       = 
| unit_cost          = 
| production_date    = 
| number             = 
| variants           = <!-- General specifications -->
| spec_label         = 
| weight             = {{plainlist}}
* 37.5&nbsp;lb (17&nbsp;kg) Empty
*  46.7 lb (21.2kg) Loaded
{{endplainlist}}
| length             = 53&nbsp;in (1,346&nbsp;mm)
| part_length        = 
| width              = 
| height             = 17&nbsp;in (432&nbsp;mm)
| diameter           = 
| crew               = 3
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications --> – Gunner, Assistant gunner, Ammunition bearer
| cartridge          = 
| cartridge_weight   = {{plainlist}}
* 9.25 lb (4.2 kg) HEAT round 
* 6.79 lb (3.08kg) HE round
{{endplainlist}}
| caliber            = 3.54&nbsp;in (90&nbsp;mm)
| barrels            = 
| action             = {{plainlist}}
* 13.7 in (350&nbsp;mm) against RHA
*  31.5 in (800&nbsp;mm) against concrete
{{endplainlist}}
| rate               = 1-2 rpm
| velocity           = 700&nbsp;ft/s (213&nbsp;m/s)
| range              = 328 yd (300&nbsp;m)
| max_range          = 2,300&nbsp;yd (2,100&nbsp;m)
| feed               = 
| sights             = 3x M103 [[Telescopic sight]] with [[Stadiametric rangefinding|stadia lines]]
<!-- Artillery specifications -->| breech             = 
| recoil             = None
| carriage           = 
| elevation          = 
| traverse           = <!-- Explosive specifications -->
| filling            = 
| filling_weight     = 
| detonation         = 
| yield              = 
}}

The '''M67 recoilless rifle''' is a 90&nbsp;mm (3.55 inch) [[anti-tank]] [[recoilless rifle]] made in the United States and later in [[South Korea]]. It could also be employed in an anti-personnel role with the use of the M590 antipersonnel round. It was designed to be fired primarily from the ground using the bipod and monopod, but could also be fired from the shoulder using the folded bipod as a shoulder rest and the monopod as a front grip. The weapon was air-cooled and breech-loaded, and fired fixed ammunition. It is a direct fire weapon employing [[Stadiametric rangefinding|stadia lines]] to allow simple range finding, based on a typical tank target bridging the lines once in range.

== History and use ==
Adopted in 1959 in [[United States Army|Army]] service, the M67 was used in the [[Vietnam War]] together with the much larger 106&nbsp;mm [[M40 recoilless rifle|M40]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Weapons of the Modern Marines|last1=Green|first1=Michael|last2=Stewart|first2=Greg|year=2004|location=St. Paul, MN, USA|publisher=MBI Publishing Co.|page=51}}</ref> The M67 proved an effective weapon, though it was primarily used against personnel in combat, and saw little or no use against armor and even against fortifications.<ref name="Rottman 2012 75">{{Cite book |last=Rottman |first=Gordon L. |date=2012 |title=The Bazooka |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Dae6CwAAQBAJ |publisher=Osprey Publishing |isbn=978-1-84908-801-5 }}</ref> While troops praised its effectiveness, the M67 came under heavy criticism due to the weapon's weight and length as well as its backblast, which often precluded its use in offensive operations.<ref name="Rottman 2012 75" /> Because of these disadvantages, the Marine Corps units continued to use the old [[Bazooka|M20 ''Super Bazooka'']] in preference to the M67.{{sfn|Rottman|2012|p=76}} It was largely replaced in Army service by the [[M47 Dragon]] anti-tank missile system starting in 1975.<ref name="Rottman 2012 75" /> The M67 was also issued to anti-armour platoons of 1 ATF (Australian/New Zealand Task Force) during the Vietnam war, being used near the perimeter of the defense bases due to its weight.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Vietnam Infantry Tactics|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MTu3CwAAQBAJ|series=Elite 186 |publisher=Osprey Publishing|first=Gordon L. |last=Rottman|date= 20 Jun 2011|isbn=978-1-84908-505-2|page=25}}</ref> The M67 was issued in lieu of the standard issue Carl Gustav for these armies. This may have been to simplify logistics, or it may be that ammunition for the Carl Gustav could not be sourced due to Swedish opposition to the war in Vietnam.{{Citation needed|date=June 2019}}

The M67 was not completely withdrawn from infantry service.<ref name="Rottman 2012 75" /> Instead, it was retained as a substitute standard antitank weapon for special tasks or battle environments. Since the batteries of the Dragon and the wires of the [[TOW missile|TOW]] could fail due to extremely low temperatures, the M67 was used for units deploying to arctic environments and remained in many infantry units in West Germany, such as the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry, 3rd Infantry Division.  Also, VII Corps Combat Engineer Battalions were using the M67 as their main anti-armor weapon during the mid-1980s. Heavy Physical Security Military Police Companies used the M67 on Special Weapons Sites in West Germany as an anti-vehicular weapon. These weapons were issued 6 per company, 2 per platoon for each combat engineer company. Until the 1990s, the [[6th Infantry Division (United States)|6th Light Infantry Division]] in [[Alaska]] was still using the M67 in its special weapons platoons.<ref name="Rottman 2012 75" /> Two M67s were used by C Co 5/87th (Lt Infantry) 193rd Infantry Brigade during [[Operation Just Cause]] in the Republic of Panama in 1989, using the M590 antipersonnel ammunition.<ref name="Latin" /> Similarly, the urban environment of [[West Berlin]] prompted the Army to keep the weapon with the 4th, 5th and 6th Battalions of the 502nd Infantry Regiment, [[Berlin Brigade]], as late as winter 1991; the M47 Dragon replaced it in January 1992. The [[U.S. Army Rangers|Army Rangers]] retained the M67 in their weapons platoons until the 1990s, when it was replaced by the 84&nbsp;mm [[Carl Gustav recoilless rifle|M3 Carl Gustav]]; Ranger M67s played a key role in knocking out two [[BTR-60]] APCs of the [[People's Revolutionary Army (Grenada)|People's Revolutionary Army]] in [[Grenada]] during [[Operation Urgent Fury]] in 1983.<ref name="Latin" /> Lastly, Combat Engineer units used the M67 as a demolition gun to destroy bunkers and other hard point targets as part of their MTOE (Modified Table Of Organization & Equipment) at least as late as 1990.

The [[Salvadoran Army]] received 379 M67s between 1981 and 1992 and used them in urban warfare against the [[Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front|FMLN]] rebels. The Argentine Army also fielded some M67s during the [[Falklands War]].<ref name="Latin">{{Cite magazine|title=Infantry Support and Anti-tank Weapons in Latin America: 90&nbsp;mm and 105&nbsp;mm Recoilless Rifles|first=Julio A. |last=Montes |date= 2 January 2015|url=http://www.sadefensejournal.com/wp/infantry-support-and-anti-tank-weapons-in-latin-america-90mm-and-105mm-recoilless-rifles/|magazine=Small Arms Defense Journal|volume=6|issue=4}}</ref> [[Royal Saudi Land Forces]] fielded M67s against Iraq during [[Gulf War]].<ref name ="gulf">{{Cite book|title=Armies of the Gulf War|series= Elite 45 |first= Gordon L.|last= Rottman|date=1993|isbn= 978-1-85532-277-6|publisher=Osprey Publishing|page=30}}</ref>

In February 2011, it was reported that stocks of surplus M67 recoilless rifles were reintroduced to the [[101st Airborne Division]] for limited combat service in Afghanistan. Numbers of these weapons were issued to the 506th Infantry Regiment, "Currahee", 4th Brigade Combat Team, for use against fortifications, and concentrations of enemy personnel. The M67 was issued in response to a demand for a reloadable shoulder-fired weapon to be used in static defensive positions as well as ambushes. In particular, the [[flechette]] anti-personnel round saw common usage.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Menzies |first=Kimberly K. |title=Currahees add to their Weapons Arsenal |url=http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2011/02/12/currahees-add-to-their-weapons-arsenal/ |work=Task Force Currahee Public Affairs |publisher=Clarksville TN Online |access-date=6 November 2011 |date=February 12, 2011}}</ref> The M67s were eventually phased out again as the Army expanded issuing of the [[Carl Gustav recoilless rifle|M3 Carl Gustav]] recoilless rifle to regular infantry units.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://warisboring.com/articles/the-u-s-army-wants-to-give-troops-a-new-super-missile/|title=The U.S. Army Wants to Give Troops a New Super Missile|publisher=Warisboring.com|date=16 December 2015}}</ref>

== Production ==
It was designed by the [[MRIGlobal|Midwest Research Institute]] in [[Kansas City, Missouri]].<ref name="Rottman 2012 75" /> It was also produced in [[South Korea]]<ref>{{cite book|title=Jane's Infantry Weapons 1984–85|page=740}}</ref> by [[Kia Motors]], while rounds were manufactured by [[Poongsan Corporation]].<ref name="Janes 2002" /> Additionally, a licensed version was made in [[Greece]], the ''EM-67''.<ref name="Wiener 1987">{{Cite book|title=The armies of the NATO nations: Organization, concept of war, weapons and equipment|series=Truppendienst Handbooks Volume 3|year= 1987|first=Friedrich |last=Wiener |page=483|publisher=Herold Publishers|location=Vienna}}</ref>

== Description ==
The M67 is shaped like a long tube with the sight assembly and trigger offset to the side in opposite directions about halfway along the barrel. Under this point is the monopod, with the bipod halfway back from there.<ref name="Rottman 2012 75" /> The weapon requires a crew of three to operate it; a gunner, assistant gunner (loader) and ammunition bearer. The breech is hinged on the right side, and has to be swung open to load the round. It is then swung closed and when the rifle is fired, the rear end of the shell case breaks up and is blown out of the back of the breech block. On the left side of the barrel, near the sight and trigger assemblies, is an asbestos heat shield to protect the gunner's shoulder and neck from the heat of the barrel when firing.

It is capable of maintaining a sustained fire rate of one round per minute, but the weapon could also be rapid fired at an increased rate of one round every six seconds (10 rpm) by a well trained crew. The rapid firing is limited to five rounds, with a mandatory 15 minute cool-off period afterward.

The M49A1 sub-caliber device, which uses NATO 7.62&nbsp;mm rounds, is typically used for zeroing the sight and for qualifying purposes. The sight is visually zeroed by setting crossed strings over the gun barrel opening (a rubber loop and notches at the end of the barrel facilitate holding the string in the correct position), then looking through the barrel of the sub-caliber device (and crossed strings) and setting the fixed [[stadiametric|stadia]], reticle sight to the same target. The sub-caliber rounds can then be used to further refine the zero and to qualify.

== Ammunition ==
Ammunition for the 90&nbsp;mm rifle was issued in complete fixed cartridges.<ref name="Janes 2002" /> The term "fixed" means that the projectile and the cartridge case are crimped together. This ensures correct alignment of the projectile and the cartridge case. It also permits faster loading because the projectile and the cartridge case are loaded as one unit. The rear end of the cartridge case is made of frangible material that is completely destroyed when fired. The projectiles used are pre-engraved with a rifling band, that is, the rotating bands are cut to engage the rifled bore both to trap gases and to spin-stabilize the projectile.

=== TP M371 practice round ===
The TP M371 is a practice round for the M371A1 HEAT round.<ref name="Janes 2002" /> It has the high explosive filler replaced with inert ballast to keep it at the same weight and flight properties. The nose cap contains a smoke pellet to mark the point of impact.

* Cartridge weight: 9.25&nbsp;lb (4.2&nbsp;kg)
* Cartridge length: 28.10&nbsp;in (714&nbsp;mm)
* Projectile weight: 6.75&nbsp;lb (3.06&nbsp;kg)
* Muzzle velocity: 700&nbsp;ft/s (213&nbsp;m/s)
* Maximum effective range: 437&nbsp;yd (400&nbsp;m)
* Fuse: PIBD M530A1

=== M371A1 HEAT round ===
The M371A1 round utilizes a special fin-stabilized projectile which employs the [[shaped charge]] principle to defeat armor.<ref name="Janes 2002" /> It does not depend upon the warhead's velocity at the moment of impact for its effect, relying instead on the focusing effect of the shape of its explosive filler.  The explosive charge collapses a conical metal liner inside the warhead into an extremely high-velocity superplastic jet. This superplastic jet is capable of penetrating steel armor to a depth of seven or more times the diameter of the explosive charge. The end of the projectile is a long and narrow stand-off of a length that allows the [[HEAT]] warhead to achieve maximum effect against the target.

The M371A1 HEAT round is used primarily against armor. It can also be used against secondary targets such as gun emplacements and pillboxes with excellent results. It is capable of penetrating 1.15&nbsp;ft (350&nbsp;mm) of [[armor plate]] ([[steel]]), 3.5&nbsp;ft (1.1&nbsp;m) of packed [[soil]], or 2.5&nbsp;ft (0.8&nbsp;m) of [[reinforced concrete]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/weg2001.pdf|title=Worldwide Equipment Guide 2001}}</ref>

* Cartridge weight: 9.25&nbsp;lb (4.2&nbsp;kg)
* Cartridge length: 28.10&nbsp;in (714&nbsp;mm)
* Projectile weight: 6.75&nbsp;lb (3.06&nbsp;kg)
* Muzzle velocity: 700&nbsp;ft/s (213&nbsp;m/s)
* Maximum effective range: 437&nbsp;yd (400&nbsp;m)
* Fuse: PIBD M530A1<ref name="Janes 2002" />

=== M590 Anti-personnel Canister ===
The ''Antipersonnel (Canister) Cartridge M590 (XM590E1)'' or M590 cartridge is a [[Beehive anti-personnel round|flechette round]]<ref name="Janes 2002" /> designed for close-in defense against massed infantry attacks. The cartridge consists of an aluminum cartridge case crimped to an aluminum canister. The canister consists of a thin-walled, deep-drawn, aluminum body that contains a payload of 2,400 eight-grain (0.5&nbsp;g), low-drag, fin-stabilized, steel-wire flechettes.<ref name="Rottman 2012 75" /> When the canister leaves the muzzle, the pressure ruptures the canister along inscribed score marks to release the flechettes, which disperse in a cone angle of approximately 8 degrees.

* Cartridge weight: 6.79&nbsp;lb (3.08&nbsp;kg)
* Cartridge length: 19.19&nbsp;in (487&nbsp;mm)
* Projectile weight: 3.97&nbsp;lb (1.8&nbsp;kg)
* Muzzle velocity: 1,250&nbsp;ft/s (381&nbsp;m/s)
* Maximum effective range: 328&nbsp;yd (300&nbsp;m)
* Fuse: none

=== M591 Antipersonnel round ===
The ''M591'' is an HE round with a muzzle velocity of {{convert|475|m/s|ft/s}}.<ref name="Janes 2002" />

== Performance relative to comparable weapons ==
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
! Weapon
! Diameter
! Muzzle Velocity
! Warhead
! Armor penetration (est.)
! Effective Range
! Sight
|-
| M67
| 90&nbsp;mm
| 213 m/s
| 3.06&nbsp;kg HEAT
| 350&nbsp;mm
| 300 m
| 3×
|-
| [[Carl Gustav recoilless rifle|M2 Carl Gustaf]]
| 84&nbsp;mm
| 255 m/s
| 1.70&nbsp;kg HEAT
| 400&nbsp;mm
| 450 m
| 2×
|-
| [[LRAC F1]]
| 89&nbsp;mm
| 295 m/s
| 2.20&nbsp;kg HEAT
| 400&nbsp;mm
| 500 m
| 3x
|-
| [[RPG-7]]
| 93&nbsp;mm
| 115 m/s
| 2.60&nbsp;kg HEAT
| 500&nbsp;mm
| 300 m
| 2.7×
|-
| [[B-300]]
| 82&nbsp;mm
| 280 m/s
| 3.00&nbsp;kg HEAT
| 400&nbsp;mm
| 400 m
| N/A
|}

''Data is from'' Jane's Infantry Weapons 1984–85

== Users ==
[[File:2015.6.29. 해병대 2사단 - 양혁준 병장의 해병대 사랑 29th, June, 2015 ROK 2nd Mar.Div-Sgt, Yang's love for ROKMC (19205326199).jpg|thumb|A [[Republic of Korea Marine Corps|South Korean marine]] with a M67 in 2015.]]

=== Current ===
*{{flag|El Salvador}}<ref name="Janes 2002">{{Cite encyclopedia|title=90 mm M67 recoilless rifle|encyclopedia=Jane's Infantry Weapons 2002–2003|url=https://archive.org/details/Janes_Infantry_Weapons/page/n5347|pages=5347–5348|year=2001|first1=Terry J.|last1=Gander|first2=Charles Q.|last2=Cutshaw}}</ref>
*{{PHL}}<ref name="Janes 2002" /><ref name="Philippines">{{Cite book|chapter= Captured and Counted: Illicit Weapons in Mexico and the Philippines |chapter-url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/A-Yearbook/2013/en/Small-Arms-Survey-2013-Chapter-12-EN.pdf|title=Small Arms Survey 2013: Everyday Dangers|url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/publications/by-type/yearbook/small-arms-survey-2013.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130824225557/http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/publications/by-type/yearbook/small-arms-survey-2013.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 24, 2013|date=2013|first=Matt|last= Schroeder|isbn=978-1-107-04196-7|publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]]|page=308}}</ref>
*{{KOR}}<ref name="Janes 2002" />

=== Former ===
*{{flag|Australia}}<ref name="Vietnam">{{harvnb|Rottman|2011|p=20}}</ref>
*{{GRC}}<ref name="Wiener 1987" />
* {{flag|Guatemala}}<ref name="Janes 2002" />
*{{flag|Honduras}}<ref name="Janes 2002" />
*{{flag|Mexico}}<ref name="Janes 2002" />
*{{flag|Nicaragua}}<ref name="Janes 2002" />
*{{KSA}}<ref name="gulf" />
*{{Flagu|United States|1960}}<ref name="Wiener 1987" />
* {{flag|South Vietnam}}{{sfn|Rottman|2011|p=19}}
* {{flag|New Zealand}}<ref name="Vietnam" />

== See also ==

*[[M18 recoilless rifle]]

== References and notes ==
{{Reflist}}

* (JIW) Hogg, Ian. ''Jane's Infantry Weapons 1984–85'', London: Jane's Publishing Company Ltd., 1984.

== External links ==
{{Commons category|M67 recoilless rifle}}
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/23-11/index.html M67 Field Manual at globalsecurity.org]
* [http://www.inetres.com/gp/military/infantry/antiarmor/M67.html Gary's U.S. Infantry Weapons Reference Guide]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110525185415/http://www.vietnam-war.info/weapons/m_67_recoilless_rifle.php Vietnam war info]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20041206043930/http://www.armyranger.com/mod.php?mod=userpage&page_id=33 ArmyRanger.com]

[[Category:Cold War weapons of the United States]]
[[Category:Recoilless rifles of the United States]]
[[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1960s]]