Missile BGM-71 TOW
American anti-tank missile, entering service in 1970, uses a 3.9 kg warhead.
| Warhead | High Explosive Anti Tank |
| Warhead weight | 4 kg (9 lb) |
| Diameter | 152 mm (6.0 in) |
| Span | 343 mm (13.5 in) |
| Length | 1,550 mm (61.0 in) |
| Penetration | 600 mm of steel |
| Weight | 22 kg (49 lb) |
| Range | 4.0 km (2.5 mi) |
| Max. speed | 1,000 km/h (Mach 1.0) |
Description
The BGM-71 TOW (Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided) is an American-made anti-tank guided missile. It was initially developed by Hughes Aircraft Company and is currently manufactured by Raytheon. Introduced in 1970, the TOW is one of the most widely used anti-tank missiles in the world and has been adopted by over 40 countries.
The missile is launched from various platforms, including ground-based launchers, helicopters, and vehicles such as the Humvee, Bradley Fighting Vehicle, and various others. The system is generally made up of a missile in a sealed tube, a launching tripod, and an optical sight. In vehicle-mounted versions, the sight and launcher are integrated into the vehicle itself.
The TOW missile system uses a wire-guided method for control. A thin wire is spooled out behind the missile as it flies, providing a data link between the missile and the operator's tracking system. The operator guides the missile by keeping the sight's crosshairs on the target until impact, while the guidance system automatically transmits corrective actions through the wire.
Over the years, several variants of the TOW missile have been produced, each improving upon the range, accuracy, and lethality of the system:
- TOW: Original version with a 3,000-meter range.
- TOW 2: Improved guidance and a new warhead.
- TOW 2A: Includes a tandem warhead for defeating reactive armor.
- TOW 2B: Aero with top-attack capabilities.
- TOW 2B Aero: Extended range to about 4,500 meters.
The TOW missile can engage a wide array of targets, including tanks, fortifications, and enemy fighting positions. It's capable of defeating modern armored vehicles, including those equipped with reactive armor, particularly in the later versions like the TOW 2A.
However, the wire-guidance system, while reliable, limits the missile to a maximum range of about 3,750 meters (for the most recent versions) and exposes the operator to counterfire during the missile's time of flight. Also, its larger size compared to some more modern ATGMs makes it less easy to deploy in certain terrains and situations.