BGM-71A TOW American Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM)
BGM-71 ATOW
Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM)
Other
Basic Information
Name
BGM-71A TOW American Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM)
Designation
BGM-71 ATOW
Alternate Designation
BGM-71 ATOW
Equipment Type
Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM)
Manufacturer
Hughes Aircraft Company
Date of Introduction
1970
Description
Hezbollah Proliferation. The BGM-71A TOW ("Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided") is an American anti-tank missile. TOW replaced much smaller missiles like the SS.10 and ENTAC, offering roughly twice the effective range, a more powerful warhead, and a greatly improved semi-automatic guidance system that could also be equipped with infrared cameras for nighttime use. The U.S. BGM-71A TOW (tube-launched, optically tracked, wire-guided) weapon is the most widely distributed anti-tank guided missile in the world. It is fired from tripods, ground combat vehicles, and helicopters. First produced in 1970, TOW is one of the most widely used anti-tank guided missiles. It can be found in a wide variety of manually carried and vehicle-mounted forms, as well as widespread use on helicopters. Originally designed by Hughes Aircraft in the 1960s, the weapon is currently produced by Raytheon.
Ground Specifications
Crew
3
Main Weapon
Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM)
Variants
BGM-71B
It has improved range to 3 750 m. This missile flies faster and has a longer wire. Otherwise, it is similar to the basic BGM-71A.
ITOW (Improved TOW), or BGM-71C
It was adopted by the US Army in 1976. This missile has an improved shape-charged warhead. It also has an extensible probe that triggers the detonation of the warhead and provides optimum detonation distance. The probe is extended after the launch. This missile penetrates 630 mm of steel armor.
TOW 2
is an upgraded version of the TOW. It entered service with the US Army in 1983. This weapon system is composed of a new BGM-71D missile, a new reusable launcher, a missile guidance set, and a sight system. The launcher is lighter. It is compatible with all previous TOW missiles. It has thermal optics and can be used at night. The new missile has a larger warhead (5.9 kg) with the extensible probe, as well as improved guidance. Over 77 000 BGM-71D anti-tank guided missiles were produced.
TOW 2A or BGM-71E
It appeared in 1987. It has a tandem warhead and is intended to defeat tanks with Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA). It penetrates 900 mm of steel armor behind ERA. Newer missiles, starting from the TOW 2A are produced both in wireless and wire-guided forms. The wireless missiles require no special alterations to the launcher. Over 34 000 of the BGM-71E missiles have been delivered. In 2003 these missiles were used by US Marines in Iraq, destroying several Iraqi T-72 tanks.
TOW 2B or BGM-71F
is a top-attack missile. It appeared in 1987. This missile explodes above a tank to penetrate its thin top armor. In concept, it is similar to a Swedish RBS 56 BILL. It has a maximum range of 4 200 m. Its warhead weighs 6.14 kg. This missile lacks an extensible probe. These anti-tank missiles are produced in wireless and wire-guided forms. The first unit was equipped with these missiles in 1992. In 2003 these missiles, alongside the TOW 2As were used by US Marines in Iraq, destroying several Iraqi T-72 tanks. The conflict marked the first operational firing of the TOW 2B missiles. However, during combat in Afghanistan, the TOW 2B was found to be less effective than the older TOW 2A.
TOW 2N
TOW 2N was an improved anti-tank system, that used missile with wireless data link. It appeared in 1989. However this weapon was not adopted by the US military.
BGM-71G
BGM-71G is a top-attack missile with different warhead. It also lacks extensible probe.
BGM-71H
BGM-71H is a bunker-busting missile. It is used against buildings or fortified structures. This missile has a range of 3 750 m. This missile is produced in wireless and wire-guided forms
TOW 2B Aero
an extended-range version with a maximum range of 4.5 km. Previously this weapon was known as TOW 2B (ER). This missile is produced in wireless and wire-guided forms.
Toophan
Toophan is an Iranian reverse-engineered version of the TOW.
System
Alternative Designation
BGM-71 ATOW
Type
Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM)
Manufacturer
Hughes Aircraft Company
Proliferation
Hezbollah
Family
BGM-71 Series
In Service
1970-Present
Crew
Three soldiers, including commander, gunner and assistance gunner.
Displacement Time
INA
Emplacement Time
INA
Dimensions
Note
See ATGM System
ATGM System
Launcher
Name
BGM-71 TOW
Type
ATGM
Configuration
factory-sealed tube contains a cylindrical missile body w/pop-out cruciform wings indexed 45 deg off line from cruciform rudders; 2 rocket exhausts at mid-body; 2
guidance wire spools in tail
Container Length
1.28 m
Container Diameter
218 mm
Note
It is not a fire-and-forget type weapon. It requires the shooter to keep the target in the line of sight until the missile impacts.
Missile
Name
BGM-71A/B TOW
Type
ATGM
Missile Length
1.16 m
Missile Diamter
0.15 m
Fin Span
0.46 m
Missile Weight
18.9 kg
Warhead Type
HEAT
Warhead Weight
2.63 kg
Maximum Range
3 km
Armor Penetration
430 mm
Guidance System
Wire-Guided
Speed
300 m/s
Propulsion
2 x Hercules solid-fuel rocket motors; first motor has
short burn to allow TOW to clear tube; second motor
sustains TOW flight until impact; TOW 2 motor provides
30 percent greater impulse than the basic TOW
Fire Control
Name
INA
Computerized FCS
Analog
Guidance System
Semi-automatic command to line-of-sight (SACLOS) wire guidance
Direct Fire
Yes
Optical Sensor
Yes
Infrared
automatic tracking of xenon or thermal beacon in tail
Night Sight
Texas Instruments AN/TAS-4 thermal
Thermal
INA
Proximity
INA
Details
Country of Origin
United States
Category
Land
Land
Filter Label
B
Classification
Domain
Ground
Equipment Status
Active
Dimensions
Length
—
Width
0.22 m
Height
—
Weight
—
Operators (52)
United States
Germany
United Kingdom
Israel
Italy
Japan
South Korea
Ukraine
Sweden
Turkey
Iran
Pakistan
Spain
Argentina
Bahrain
Belgium
Botswana
Cameroon
Canada
Chad
Chile
Colombia
Croatia
Denmark
Egypt
Ethiopia
Finland
Greece
Hungary
Indonesia
Iraq
Jordan
Kenya
Kuwait
Lebanon
Luxembourg
Mexico
Morocco
Norway
Oman
Philippines
Portugal
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
Somalia
Switzerland
Thailand
Tunisia
United Arab Emirates
Vietnam
Yemen
Non-State Actors
Something went wrong. Please reload the page.
Reload