According to Swedish defense contractor Saab, the U.S. Army is planning to issue recoilless rifles broadly to regular units for the first time in more than 30 years. The decision reflects the service’s combat experience in Afghanistan.

The ground combat branch had previously made a small purchase of recoilless rifles in 2012, but just for units in Afghanistan. All light infantry units may now receive them.

Recoilless weapons get their name from the fact that they let some of the propelling force escape out of the rear of the weapon as it fires. These counteracting forces reduce recoil normally associated with bigger guns.

These weapons were originally meant to take out tanks. The Army got rid of the vast majority of its recoilless rifles in favor of new anti-tank missiles in the late 1970s.

Fighting in Afghanistan inspired new interest in the weapons. The recoilless rifles give infantry more firepower over longer ranges than they previously had.

Troops had complained that insurgents knew their limits and were using the country’s terrain to their advantage. Militants routinely took up positions behind rocks, trees and buildings, often at ranges of 1,000 meters or more.