BGM-71 TOW vs RPG-7

The BGM-71 TOW and the RPG-7 are both Anti-Tank missiles. The BGM-71 TOW has a range of 4 km — 13:1 the RPG-7's 0 km. The BGM-71 TOW reaches 1,000 km/h vs 1,080 km/h for the RPG-7. The BGM-71 TOW carries a 3.9 kg warhead vs 2.2 kg for the RPG-7. Launch weight is 45,068 kg for the BGM-71 TOW vs 7 kg for the RPG-7. The BGM-71 TOW uses SACLOS guidance, while the RPG-7 relies on Unguided. The BGM-71 TOW has been produced in 700,000 units vs 9,000,000 for the RPG-7. Unit cost is $0.09364M for the BGM-71 TOW vs $0.00035M for the RPG-7. The RPG-7 entered service 9 years before the BGM-71 TOW (1961 vs 1970).

American anti-tank missile, entering service in 1970, uses a 3.9 kg warhead.
Origin 🇺🇸 United States
Category Anti-Tank
Type Anti-tank wire-guided missile
Manufacturer Hughes
Service year 1970
Number produced 700,000 units
Estimated unit price $0.1 million
Soviet anti-tank rocket, entered service in 1961, uses a 2.2 kg warhead.
Origin 🇨🇳 Ex-USSR
Category Anti-Tank
Type Anti-tank rocket
Manufacturer Bazalt
Service year 1961
Number produced 9,000,000 units
Estimated unit price $0.0 million
Range 4.0 km
Maximum speed 1000 km/h
Weight 45,068 kg
Warhead 3.9 kg
Length 1.55 m
Diameter 152 mm
Guidance SACLOS
Warhead type High Explosive Anti Tank
Range 0.3 km
Maximum speed Mach 0.9
Weight 7 kg
Warhead 2.2 kg
Length 0.99 m
Diameter 40 mm
Guidance Unguided
Warhead type High Explosive Anti Tank

Performance Radar Chart

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has longer range, the BGM-71 TOW or RPG-7?
The BGM-71 TOW has a longer range at 4 km compared to the RPG-7's 0 km.
Which is faster, the BGM-71 TOW or RPG-7?
The RPG-7 is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 0.9 compared to the BGM-71 TOW's 1000 km/h.
Which has a larger warhead, the BGM-71 TOW or RPG-7?
The BGM-71 TOW carries a larger warhead at 3 kg compared to the RPG-7's 2 kg.
Which is heavier, the BGM-71 TOW or RPG-7?
The BGM-71 TOW is heavier at 45,068 kg compared to the RPG-7's 7 kg.
Which is longer, the BGM-71 TOW or RPG-7?
The BGM-71 TOW is longer at 1.55 meters compared to the RPG-7's 0.99 meters.
What guidance systems do the BGM-71 TOW and RPG-7 use?
The BGM-71 TOW uses SACLOS guidance while the RPG-7 uses Unguided guidance.
Which entered service first, the BGM-71 TOW or RPG-7?
The RPG-7 entered service first in 1961, 9 years before the BGM-71 TOW which entered service in 1970.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the BGM-71 TOW or RPG-7?
The RPG-7 has been produced in greater numbers with 9,000,000 units compared to 700,000 units of the BGM-71 TOW.