BGM-71 TOW
The US BGM-71 TOW (
Tube-launched,
Optically tracked,
Wire-guided)
is the most widely used anti-tank missile in the world today. The TOW can be fired from
tripods and ground-combat vehicles or helicopters. The TOW is guided over short ranges
manually. The operator manually steers the missile to its target, sending the commands to
the missile through a wire which spools out from behind the missile. It is meant for short
range use, 4,000 yd. or less. The TOW missile was first used in May 1972 by US Army and
Marine Corps infantry in the Vietnam war. The success rate for helicopter launches during
the war was an impressive 80%. There have been many variants of the TOW, including the
most recent TOW 2 A and B. The TOW 2A incorporated a tandem warhead, one to defeat
reactive armor, the next to penetrate the armor. The TOW 2B (operational in 1992) is a
top-attack version, designed to hit tank armor from above, where it is weakest. The TOW
was initially operational in 1970.
| General characteristics |
| Contractors |
Hughes Aircraft, McDonnell Douglas |
| Weight |
missile |
47 lb |
21.3 kg |
| warhead |
13 lb |
5.9 kg |
| Length |
4.6 ft |
140.2 cm |
| Diameter |
6 in |
15.2 cm |
| Guidance |
Optically-guided (manual) |
| Power plant |
Two Hercules solid-fuel rocket motors (1st motor clears TOW
from tube) |
| Speed |
0.9 Mach |
1,074 km/h |
| Range |
4,100 yards |
3,750 m |
| Warhead |
High-explosive armor-piercing shaped charge |
| Date deployed |
1970 |
Jirka Wagner
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