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M202 FLASH: Difference between revisions

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[[Image:M202A2 FLASH.JPG|thumb|right|400px|M202A1 FLASH - 66mm]]
[[Image:M202A2 FLASH.JPG|thumb|right|400px|M202A1 FLASH - 66mm]]
[[File:M202A1 rocket launcher.jpg|thumb|right|400px|Unloaded M202A1 FLASH with firing pin assembly extended- 66mm]]


The '''M202 FLASH''' (FLame Assault SHoulder) is a US-made 66mm infantry multiple rocket launcher designed during the 1970s and adopted in 1978. Designed to replace obsolete and dangerous WW2-era infantry flamethrowers with a safer and longer-ranged delivery system for incendiary rounds, the weapon was built on research done with the experimental XM191 napalm launcher during the late 1960s (as indeed was its Soviet counterpart the RPO "Rys," ancestor of the [[RPO-A 'Shmel']]). Rather than napalm, the M74 rockets used by the M202 use an M235 warhead with 1.34 pounds of thickened pyrophoric agent (TPA), which consists of triethylaluminum (TEA) thickened with polyisobutylene. This substance burns at around 2,200 degrees F (1,200 degrees C), far hotter than conventional flamethrower fuels, and is quite capable of burning underwater.  
The '''M202 FLASH''' (FLame Assault SHoulder) is a US-made 66mm infantry multiple rocket launcher that entered service in the late 1960s. Designed to replace obsolete and dangerous WW2-era infantry flamethrowers with a safer and longer-ranged delivery system for incendiary rounds (as indeed was its Soviet counterpart the RPO "Rys," ancestor of the [[RPO-A 'Shmel']]), it fired M74 rockets whose M235 warhead was filled with with 1.34 pounds of thickened pyrophoric agent (TPA), which consists of triethylaluminum (TEA) thickened with polyisobutylene. This substance burns at around 2,200 degrees F (1,200 degrees C), far hotter than conventional flamethrower fuels, and is quite capable of burning underwater. While sometimes said to be derived from the experimental XM191, the XM191 designation actually refers to the "weapons system" of M202 launcher and M74 rocket clip, a designation dropped by the time the weapon was standardized in early 70s. The launcher itself has always been known as M202.


The suitcase-like weapon body is loaded with a large four-round clip inserted into the rear which holds four complete rockets and their fiberglass exhaust tubes; this clip can be slid into the body for easier carrying. The M202 features an integral folding reflex sight with range markings, and a folding pistol grip with a two-mode trigger that can fire either one rocket at a time (not technically semi-auto, since a different firing pin is used for each rocket) or all four at once. The handle on the front cover of the weapon can be used as a foregrip, while the rear cover is used as a shoulder rest.
The suitcase-like weapon body is loaded with a large four-round clip inserted into the rear which holds four complete rockets and their fiberglass exhaust tubes; this clip can be slid into the body for easier carrying. The M202 features an integral folding reflex sight with range markings, and a folding pistol grip with a trigger that fires one rocket at a time (not technically semi-auto, since a different firing pin is used for each rocket). The handle on the front cover of the weapon can be used as a foregrip, while the rear cover is used as a shoulder rest.


The maximum range of the launcher is 820 yards (750m). Effective range (hit probability >50%) is about 547 yards (500m) against a squad-sized target, 219 yards (200m) against a point target, 137 yards (125m) to hit an average-sized window, and 55 yards (50m) against a precision target such as a bunker vision slit. The M235 warhead is armed by inertial forces at 5 to 14 yards (5-13m) from the launcher, but the bursting radius of the rocket is approximately 22 yards (20m), meaning it cannot be safety fired at its minimum range: in addition, since the filler is pyrophoric, if the rocket strikes a hard object and splits open it will ignite even if the warhead has not armed. The launcher also has a 50-foot backblast "danger zone," with another 82 feet in the "caution zone" where debris may be hurled by the backblast.
The maximum range of the launcher is 820 yards (750m). Effective range (hit probability >50% from firing all four rockets) is about 547 yards (500m) against a squad-sized target, 219 yards (200m) against a point target, 137 yards (125m) to hit an average-sized window, and 55 yards (50m) against a precision target such as a bunker vision slit. The M235 warhead is armed by inertial forces at 5 to 14 yards (5-13m) from the launcher, but the bursting radius of the rocket is approximately 22 yards (20m), meaning it cannot be safety fired at its minimum range: in addition, since the filler is pyrophoric, if the rocket strikes a hard object and splits open it will ignite even if the warhead has not armed. The launcher also has a 50-foot backblast "danger zone," with another 82 feet in the "caution zone" where debris may be hurled by the backblast.


In media it is normally shown firing ordinary explosive rockets, which is incorrect: while the M202 was designed to share a caliber with the [[M72 LAW]] to allow the possibility of firing HEAT rounds (and the XM191 could actually do this, with the round referred to as XM78), no HEAT clips were ever manufactured for the M202. A crowd control CS gas round, the XM96, was also trialed with the XM191, but never entered service.
In media it is normally shown firing ordinary explosive rockets, which is incorrect as only incendiary rockets were ever issued. XM96 CS gas rockets were trialed, but were never standardized and quickly withdrawn from use.


The M202A1 is visually identical, with the only modification being internal alterations to prevent firing pin hangs. It is unclear what changes the most current version, the M202A2, incorporates. The M202 was never particularly popular with troops due to its weight and bulk, and there were reports of an extremely dangerous tendency for rockets to spontaneously ignite while the weapon was being loaded. While the M202 was regarded as obsolete in the late 1980s and was slowly being phased of stockpiles, in particular due to the tendency of the M235 warheads to leak highly volatile liquid when placed in storage, there is some documentation indicating that M202 launchers were still in service with US forces in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The M202A1 is visually identical, with the only modification being internal alterations to prevent firing pin hangs. It is unclear what changes the most current version, the M202A2, incorporates. The M202 was never particularly popular with troops due to its weight and bulk, and there were reports of an extremely dangerous tendency for rockets to spontaneously ignite while the weapon was being loaded. While the M202 was regarded as obsolete in the late 1980s and was slowly being phased of stockpiles, in particular due to the tendency of the M235 warheads to leak highly volatile liquid when placed in storage, there is some documentation indicating that M202 launchers were still in service with US forces in Afghanistan and Iraq.


{{Gun Title}}
{{Gun Title}}
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==Specifications==
==Specifications==
''(Late 1960s (XM191), 1978-present (?) (M202))''
''(Late 1960s-present))''


* '''Type:''' Incendiary multiple rocket launcher
* '''Type:''' Incendiary multiple rocket launcher
Line 27: Line 26:
* '''Length:''' 27 in (686 mm) closed, 34.75 in (883 mm) extended
* '''Length:''' 27 in (686 mm) closed, 34.75 in (883 mm) extended


* '''Capacity:''' 4 round clip
* '''Capacity:''' 4 round


* '''Fire Modes:''' Single-shot / 4-shot
* '''Fire Modes:''' Single-shot


=== Film ===
=== Film ===
Line 41: Line 40:
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="50"|'''Date'''
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="50"|'''Date'''
|-
|-
| ''[[Commando]]'' || [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]] || John Matrix || Prop replica, missing front and rear covers, shown firing explosive rockets || 1985
| rowspan=2|''[[Commando]]'' || [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]] || John Matrix || rowspan=2|Prop replica, missing front and rear covers, shown firing explosive rockets || rowspan=2|1985
|-
|-
| ''[[Commando]]'' || [[Rae Dawn Chong]] || Cindy || Prop replica, missing rear cover, shown firing explosive rockets || 1985
| [[Rae Dawn Chong]] || Cindy  
|-
|-
| ''[[Expendables 3, The|The Expendables 3]]'' || || Soldier || || 2014
| ''[[Expendables 3, The|The Expendables 3]]'' || || Soldier || || 2014
|}
|}
=== Television ===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" border="1" style="border: 1px solid #D0E7FF; background-color:#ffffff; text-align:left; font-size: 95%"
|-bgcolor=#D0E7FF
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="200"|'''Show Title'''
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="175"|'''Actor'''
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="200"|'''Character'''
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="275"|'''Note / Episode'''
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="80"|'''Date'''
|-
| ''[[MacGyver (1985) - Season 1]]'' || || || "The Gauntlet" (S1E04) / Seen on table, same prop as ''Commando'' or identical replica || 1985
|-
|}


=== Anime ===
=== Anime ===


{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" border="1" style="border" 1px solid #D0E7FF; background-color:#ffffff; text-align:left; font-size: 95%"
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" border="1" style="border: 1px solid #D0E7FF; background-color:#ffffff; text-align:left; font-size: 95%"
|-bgcolor=#D0E7FF
|-bgcolor=#D0E7FF
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="250"|'''Title'''
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="250"|'''Title'''
Line 57: Line 71:
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="150"|'''Date'''
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="150"|'''Date'''
|-
|-
| [[Mad Bull 34]] || Chinese assassin || Referenced from the prop from ''Commando'' || 1990
| ''[[Mad Bull 34]]'' || Chinese assassin || Referenced from the prop from ''Commando'' || 1990
|-
| ''[[Hellsing]]'' || Luke Valentine ||  || 2001 - 2002
|-
|-
| [[Hellsing]] || Luke Valentine || || 2001-2002
| ''[[Rideback]]'' || BMA Ridebacks || || 2009
|-
|-
| [[Rideback]] || BMA Ridebacks || || 2009
| ''[[Case Closed: The Fist of Blue Sapphire]]'' || Pirates || || 2019
|-
|-
|}
|}


=== Video Games ===
=== Video Games ===
 
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" border="1" style="border: 1px solid #D0E7FF; background-color:#ffffff; text-align:left; font-size: 95%"
"Incorrectly shown firing high explosive rockets" is pretty much a given.
 
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" border="1" style="border" 1px solid #D0E7FF; background-color:#ffffff; text-align:left; font-size: 95%"
|-bgcolor=#D0E7FF
|-bgcolor=#D0E7FF
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="250"|'''Title'''
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="300"|'''Game Title'''
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="570"|'''Note'''
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="150"|'''Appears as'''
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="250"|'''Mods'''
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="200"|'''Notation'''
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="100"|'''Release Date'''
!align=center bgcolor=#D0E7FF width="100"|'''Release Date'''
|-
|-
| ''[[Resident Evil Game|Resident Evil]]'' || as "Rocket launcher" || 1996
| ''[[Resident Evil (1996 VG)|Resident Evil]]'' || "Rocket Launcher" || || Fires explosive rockets || 1996
|-
| ''[[Time Crisis II]]'' || || || Unusable || 1997
|-
| ''[[Half-Life]]'' || || || Modified version, on a tripod || 1998
|-
| ''[[Resident Evil 3: Nemesis]]'' || "Rocket Launcher" || || Referenced from the ''Commando'' prop launcher || 1999
|-
| ''[[The World Is Not Enough (video game)|The World Is Not Enough]]'' || "AT-420 Sentinel" || Laser guidance system || || 2000
|-
| ''[[Time Crisis II]]'' || || || Unusable || 2001
|-
| ''[[007: Nightfire]]'' || "AT-420 Sentinel" || Remote-control missile camera system || Available in PC version only || 2002
|-
|-
| ''[[Half-Life]]'' || Modified version, on a tripod || 1998
| ''[[Resident Evil (2002)]]'' || "Rocket Launcher" || || Referenced from the ''Commando'' prop launcher || 2002
|-
|-
| ''[[Resident Evil 3: Nemesis]]'' || as "Rocket Launcher," referenced from the prop launcher from ''Commando'' || 1999
| ''[[Time Crisis 3]]'' || || || Unusable || 2003
|-
|-
| ''[[The World Is Not Enough (video game)|The World Is Not Enough]]'' || as the "AT-420 Sentinel", capable of full auto unguided or semi-auto laser-guided fire. || 2000
| ''[[Crisis Zone|Time Crisis: Crisis Zone]]'' || "Missile Launcher" || || depicted incorrectly with a lock-on and homing function || 2004
|-
|-
| ''[[007: Nightfire]]'' || as the "AT-420 Sentinel" in the PC version of the game, capable of firing unguided rockets or remote controlled with the help of a camera to help guidance || 2002
| ''[[Söldner: Secret Wars]]''|| "M202A2 MRL" || || || 2004
|-
|-
| ''[[Resident Evil (2002)]]'' || as "Rocket Launcher," referenced from the prop launcher from ''Commando'' || 2002
| ''[[Far Cry Instincts: Predator]]'' ||"Rocket Launcher" || || || 2006
|-
|-
| ''[[Far Cry]]'' || Not a real M202 Flash, but a highly similar weapon. || 2004
| ''[[Team Fortress 2]]'' || "Black Box" || Single-barreled, wooden firing grip, secondary foregrip added || Holds 3 rockets at once || 2007
|-
|-
| ''[[Söldner: Secret Wars]]''|| As "M202A2 MRL" || 2004
| ''[[Razing Storm]]'' || "Rocket Launcher" || || incorrectly holds 10 rockets || 2009
|-
|-
| ''[[Far Cry Instincts: Predator]]''   ||as "Rocket Launcher" || 2006
| ''[[Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker]]'' || || || Anachronistic || 2010
|-
|-
| ''[[Team Fortress 2]]'' || as "The Black Box", capable of healing +15 HP at expense of 1 less rocket (3 out of the usual 4) || 2007
| ''[[Call of Duty: Black Ops]]'' || "Grim Reaper" || || Anachronistic; incorrectly shown with a variable salvo-fire function || 2010
|-
|-
| ''[[Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker]]'' || M202A1 || 2010
| ''[[War Inc. Battlezone]]'' || || || Scope has salvo fire indicator copied from ''Call of Duty: Black Ops'' || 2011
|-
|-
| ''[[Call of Duty: Black Ops]]'' || as the "Grim Reaper," incorrectly shown with a variable salvo fire function || 2010
| ''[[Payday 2]]'' || "Commando 101" || || Incorrectly fires high-explosive rockets|| 2013
|-
|-
| ''[[War Inc. Battlezone]]'' || Scope has salvo fire indicator copied from ''Call of Duty: Black Ops'' || 2011
| ''[[Krunker]]'' || "Froge" || || Uses frogs as ammunition, incorrectly has ammunition protruding out the front, incorrectly holds 3 rounds|| 2019
|-
|-
|}
|}

Latest revision as of 11:17, 25 May 2023

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
M202A1 FLASH - 66mm

The M202 FLASH (FLame Assault SHoulder) is a US-made 66mm infantry multiple rocket launcher that entered service in the late 1960s. Designed to replace obsolete and dangerous WW2-era infantry flamethrowers with a safer and longer-ranged delivery system for incendiary rounds (as indeed was its Soviet counterpart the RPO "Rys," ancestor of the RPO-A 'Shmel'), it fired M74 rockets whose M235 warhead was filled with with 1.34 pounds of thickened pyrophoric agent (TPA), which consists of triethylaluminum (TEA) thickened with polyisobutylene. This substance burns at around 2,200 degrees F (1,200 degrees C), far hotter than conventional flamethrower fuels, and is quite capable of burning underwater. While sometimes said to be derived from the experimental XM191, the XM191 designation actually refers to the "weapons system" of M202 launcher and M74 rocket clip, a designation dropped by the time the weapon was standardized in early 70s. The launcher itself has always been known as M202.

The suitcase-like weapon body is loaded with a large four-round clip inserted into the rear which holds four complete rockets and their fiberglass exhaust tubes; this clip can be slid into the body for easier carrying. The M202 features an integral folding reflex sight with range markings, and a folding pistol grip with a trigger that fires one rocket at a time (not technically semi-auto, since a different firing pin is used for each rocket). The handle on the front cover of the weapon can be used as a foregrip, while the rear cover is used as a shoulder rest.

The maximum range of the launcher is 820 yards (750m). Effective range (hit probability >50% from firing all four rockets) is about 547 yards (500m) against a squad-sized target, 219 yards (200m) against a point target, 137 yards (125m) to hit an average-sized window, and 55 yards (50m) against a precision target such as a bunker vision slit. The M235 warhead is armed by inertial forces at 5 to 14 yards (5-13m) from the launcher, but the bursting radius of the rocket is approximately 22 yards (20m), meaning it cannot be safety fired at its minimum range: in addition, since the filler is pyrophoric, if the rocket strikes a hard object and splits open it will ignite even if the warhead has not armed. The launcher also has a 50-foot backblast "danger zone," with another 82 feet in the "caution zone" where debris may be hurled by the backblast.

In media it is normally shown firing ordinary explosive rockets, which is incorrect as only incendiary rockets were ever issued. XM96 CS gas rockets were trialed, but were never standardized and quickly withdrawn from use.

The M202A1 is visually identical, with the only modification being internal alterations to prevent firing pin hangs. It is unclear what changes the most current version, the M202A2, incorporates. The M202 was never particularly popular with troops due to its weight and bulk, and there were reports of an extremely dangerous tendency for rockets to spontaneously ignite while the weapon was being loaded. While the M202 was regarded as obsolete in the late 1980s and was slowly being phased of stockpiles, in particular due to the tendency of the M235 warheads to leak highly volatile liquid when placed in storage, there is some documentation indicating that M202 launchers were still in service with US forces in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The M202 FLASH and variants can be seen in the following films, television series, video games, and anime used by the following actors:

Specifications

(Late 1960s-present))

  • Type: Incendiary multiple rocket launcher
  • Caliber: 66mm
  • Weight: 11.5 lb (5.22 kg) empty, 26.6 lb (12.07 kg) loaded
  • Length: 27 in (686 mm) closed, 34.75 in (883 mm) extended
  • Capacity: 4 round
  • Fire Modes: Single-shot

Film

Title Actor Character Note Date
Commando Arnold Schwarzenegger John Matrix Prop replica, missing front and rear covers, shown firing explosive rockets 1985
Rae Dawn Chong Cindy
The Expendables 3 Soldier 2014

Television

Show Title Actor Character Note / Episode Date
MacGyver (1985) - Season 1 "The Gauntlet" (S1E04) / Seen on table, same prop as Commando or identical replica 1985


Anime

Title Character Note Date
Mad Bull 34 Chinese assassin Referenced from the prop from Commando 1990
Hellsing Luke Valentine 2001 - 2002
Rideback BMA Ridebacks 2009
Case Closed: The Fist of Blue Sapphire Pirates 2019

Video Games

Game Title Appears as Mods Notation Release Date
Resident Evil "Rocket Launcher" Fires explosive rockets 1996
Time Crisis II Unusable 1997
Half-Life Modified version, on a tripod 1998
Resident Evil 3: Nemesis "Rocket Launcher" Referenced from the Commando prop launcher 1999
The World Is Not Enough "AT-420 Sentinel" Laser guidance system 2000
Time Crisis II Unusable 2001
007: Nightfire "AT-420 Sentinel" Remote-control missile camera system Available in PC version only 2002
Resident Evil (2002) "Rocket Launcher" Referenced from the Commando prop launcher 2002
Time Crisis 3 Unusable 2003
Time Crisis: Crisis Zone "Missile Launcher" depicted incorrectly with a lock-on and homing function 2004
Söldner: Secret Wars "M202A2 MRL" 2004
Far Cry Instincts: Predator "Rocket Launcher" 2006
Team Fortress 2 "Black Box" Single-barreled, wooden firing grip, secondary foregrip added Holds 3 rockets at once 2007
Razing Storm "Rocket Launcher" incorrectly holds 10 rockets 2009
Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker Anachronistic 2010
Call of Duty: Black Ops "Grim Reaper" Anachronistic; incorrectly shown with a variable salvo-fire function 2010
War Inc. Battlezone Scope has salvo fire indicator copied from Call of Duty: Black Ops 2011
Payday 2 "Commando 101" Incorrectly fires high-explosive rockets 2013
Krunker "Froge" Uses frogs as ammunition, incorrectly has ammunition protruding out the front, incorrectly holds 3 rounds 2019
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