M65 Recoiless Nuclear Rifle.

The Davy Crockett had 2 warheads, 10 ton (.01kt) and 20 ton (.02kt)
nominal yield - which were not user selectable.

The launchers came in 2 calibers of 120mm and 155mm

The weapon had a minimum range of 300 yards with max range of
2000 m (120 mm version) or 4000 m (155 mm)

The weapon in actually was a spigot mortar - the powder charge was
inserted into the weapon followed by long rod, the warhead was
screwed into the rod extending out the barrel.

The "suicide weapon" comes from fact the burst radius of the wahead
at minimum ranges would engulf the crew (10 ton warhead have
lethal radiation (500 rem) radius of 350 m, 400m for 20 ton)

Another fact was that the warheads were detonated by a time fuse - the
crew had to consult a range chart to determine time of flight and set
warhead time fuse. Problem was that strong head or cross winds
could slow the warhead flight time and cause it to burst short - much
to discomfort of firing crew!

I can see it now. Patiently waiting for the order to fire. Everyone hunkered down in their fox holes. Wait for it. Wait for it. Suddenly, a mushroom cloud in the distance. "Who discharged that weapon?" Sorry, I thought it was on safe.

seems like a lose-lose.

Originally posted by jackflap

I can see it now. Patiently waiting for the order to fire. Everyone hunkered down in their fox holes. Wait for it. Wait for it. Suddenly, a mushroom cloud in the distance. "Who discharged that weapon?" Sorry, I thought it was on safe.

And then you got the guy aiming for a medical discharge from the front line... Crafty look over the shoulder to check no one is looking and then shoots him self in the foot with an M65.