Is a flamethrower a practical weapon these days?

[mrhappyface]

Back in WW2 and Vietnam, the US have frequently used flamethrowers. Nowadays, we use incedinary rockets and explosives to compensate for this. Since I personally think that's better than lugging around a 50 pound backpack of fuel and compressed air, I think it's an advantage. What do you think?

 

[Sir Kemper]

Flamethrowers have been banned remembre?

Too many Wm1 pyros.

*Ba-Dum-Psh*

Edit: Seriously though, only if it was for CQ, but then you run the chance of burning your mates.

 

[Neonbob]

Heh. I don't think it was ever practical.
But then, practicality was never it's selling point.
The reason it caught on in the first place was "HOLY FUCK I CAN LIGHT THAT GUY ON FIRE FROM FIFTY FEET! This is awesome!"

 

[Daystar Clarion]

I think the U.N. has banned the use of flamethrowers. Don't quote me on that though.

 

[Sir Strange Of The House Lycan]

Play rogue warrior and shoot a nauts back pack.
We can't let the same think happen to our troops.

Back in WW2 and Vietnam, the US have frequently used flamethrowers.

Oh wait nevermind.
I joke.

 

[Rednog]

The flamethrower is such a context based weapon. Long ranges you are absolutely screwed. Concrete jungle, screwed unless the buildings are really flammable. The fire is really hard to control and getting shot while wearing it would probably suck.

 

[Woodsey]

When were they ever practical?

 

[Sir Kemper]

When were they ever practical?

Back when Trench warfare was practical.

 

[soapyshooter]

I think the U.N. has banned the use of flamethrowers. Don't quote me on that though.

I quoted you because you are right. UN banned it, along with Napalm.

Its not practical since most wars now are in urban setting. Lugging around highly flammable material in a backpack seems kind of counterproductive

 

[7moreDead_v1legacy]

They're good at flushing out people from holes and buildings - If they don't run out they'll burn or suffocate on the fumes. So unless the Op-For have built fireproofed buildings and/or carting breathing gear and extinguishers, then yes the are practical in a way.

 

[Gildan Bladeborn]

They certainly make for some entertaining fiction though! "Say hello to Mr. Yellow."
[small]Wookie for the reference (not a typo).[/small]

 

[Onyx Oblivion]

Not really. But we should have them at armories just in case trench warfare comes back in style.

 

[Woodsey]

When were they ever practical?

Back when Trench warfare was practical.

Nope, I don't see the practicality in carrying a propane tank on your back that could go up in a fire-ball with a few well placed shots (or random stray ones).

 

[GeneralGrant]

They US military stopped using them because the tanks are very burdensome and make the men carrying them extremely vulnerable.

 

[TheNamlessGuy]

DELETED

 

[KSarty]

It was very practical in both WW2 and Vietnam. Its purpose was to flush out bunkers and spider holes full of enemies rather than running right down into their gunfire/bayonets. Soldiers are facing those same situations now in Afghanistan and Iraq, but rather than using flamethrowers they have missiles that go through windows and ignite the entire floor/building. Their time has passed, but yes they were very useful in their time.

 

[Sir Kemper]

When were they ever practical?

Back when Trench warfare was practical.

Nope, I don't see the practicality in carrying a propane tank on your back that could go up in a fire-ball with a few well placed shots (or random stray ones).

Thats actually a misconception, Flamethrowers don't expload when shot, more likely they'd simply spray fuel everywhere, although, if the fuel spewing out did come in contact with a flame is could be very bad all the same.

 

[RebelRising]

They were never a practical weapon to begin with. To carry a flamethrower with you into the Japanese Islands must have been one of the worst fates known to soldiers. The flames can only reach so far, and one bullet, stray or intentional, can hit the huge tank on your back and set you alight.

Although, to be fair, they were good at flushing enemies out wooded areas, building and trenches.