M9 flamethrower

The M9 flamethrower, officially designated: Flame Thrower, Portable, M9-7, was an American man-portable flamethrower that essentially replaced the earlier M2 flamethrower variants. The set consisted of the M9 backpack, the M8 quick-connect hose, and the newer M7 gun group. The M9-7 solved many of the problems associated with the M1 and M2 variants by reducing the overall mass and featuring a shorter gun group.^[1] It was the last flamethrower in U.S. service and was replaced with the M202 FLASH rocket-based incendiary system.

M9 Flamethrower
M9 Flamethrower being used in Da Nang, Vietnam.
Type	Flamethrower
Place of origin	United States
Service history
In service	1960–1978
Wars	Vietnam War
Production history
Designer	U.S. Chemical Corps
Designed	1959–60
No. built	Unknown
Variants	M9-7, M9E1-7
Specifications
Mass	25 lb (11.3 kg) empty 52 lb (23.6 kg) filled
Width	20 in (51 cm)
Height	23+1⁄2 in (60 cm)
Diameter	9 in (23 cm)
Crew	1
Rate of fire	Around 0.7 US gal (2.6 L) a second
Effective firing range	49–60 yd (45–55 m)
Maximum firing range	60 yd (55 m)
Feed system	One, 4+1⁄4 US gal (16 L) Napalm/gasoline tank (fuel)[2] One Nitrogen tank (propellant)
Sights	None

The M9 saw service in the Vietnam War and was initially deployed alongside M2A1-7 flamethrowers, but eventually replaced nearly all M2 variants by 1963. Like its predecessors, the M9 effectively fought dug-in enemies since the flames could scorch or asphyxiate them. The flare-based ignition systems of the M2-2 and M7 meant that the flamethrower could function in the harshest conditions. Each flamethrower squad featured at least one soldier with a modified pack frame for carrying up to four pressure tanks. It is unknown how many M9s were manufactured as the Army destroyed most records and equipment to prevent dissemination to the public as surplus gear. The XM202 project was carried out to replace the M9 by the 1980s completely.