Man-portable anti-tank systems (MANPATS or MPATS) refers to shoulder-launched anti-tank
rockets.
They are typically unguided weapons and are a threat to armoured vehicles, low-flying
aircraft especially helicopters, and field fortifications, in which most of them were
designed to destroy tank.
Some people might wonder and question which one is the best anti-tank guided missile in
the world? which are the deadliest missiles of this type and why?
Here is the list of some of the best man-portable anti-tank guided missiles that are currently
available.
Let’s check it out!
Number one, the MMP from France Missile Moyenne Portée or MMP is a recent
5th generation French man-portable network-enabled anti-tank guided missile.
Featuring both fire-and-forget and Man In The Loop operating modes, it also integrates
third party target designation for indirect firing scenarios through its Lock-on after
launch capability for non-line-of-sight (NLOS).
It was first introduced in 2012 and developed to meet requirement of the French Army, while
deliveries to the Army commenced in 2017.
It is a multi-purpose missile that can defeat anything from tanks to bunkers and hostile
troops in buildings with a range of 4 km.
The MMP offers non-line-of-sight-launch for both extreme ranges and obscured targets.
It has a tandem shaped charge warhead and penetrates 1,000 mm of steel armour behind
explosive reactive armour.
This anti-tank missile is suited for indoor launches and its operator can guide the missile
to its target manually.
The MMP follows a convenient setup consisting of a launch tube, a portable fire control
system or guidance unit with day and night optics, and a collapsible tripod mount.
Number two, the OMTAS from Turkey The OMTAS, often referred as the Mizrak-O,
is the first man-portable medium-range anti-armour missile developed in Turkey.
The development of this missile began in 2010.
Although its exact origin is unknown, on paper it qualifies as a fourth-generation anti-tank
guided missile endowed with range, precision, and lethality.
However, missiles like the US TOW-2B and the Israeli Spike MR appear to have impacted as
its design.
It turned out to be a highly sophisticated weapon.
The OMTAS was mainly developed to knock out main battle tanks with explosive reactive
armor.
This missile has the ability to travel a distance of 4,000 meters and penetrates around 1,000
mm of steel armour behind explosive reactive armour.
It can be launched either in fire-and-forget mode or in fire-and-update mode.
Number three, the Spike LR2 from Israel The Spike LR2 is a recent 5th generation anti-tank
guided missile that was developed in Israel.
It is a new generation of the original Spike LR, which was a huge success and was exported
to more than 30 countries, including most NATO members.
The new LR2 has even longer range and increased armour penetration.
This missile was designed for use by the infantry and light combat vehicles.
This missile can also be used by helicopters and watercraft.
In regard to its characteristic, this missile has a range of up to 5.5 km.
However, when fired from helicopter this missile has a range up to 10 km using a wireless datalink.
Infrared imaging is used to guide the Spike LR2.
It has a new infrared seeker with artificial intelligence capabilities and a smart target
tracker.
This missile was designed to overcome active protection systems.
It can also attack targets from the top and be launched in fire-and-forget mode, as well
as fire-observe-and-update mode.
Alternatively, this missile can be launched in no line of sight and use third party target
designation using the wireless datalink.
It has a tandem shaped charge warhead and penetrates 900 mm of steel armour behind explosive
reactive armour.
A multipurpose blast warhead is also available for this missile, which is efficient against
buildings, bunkers, and field fortifications.
It may breach reinforced concrete up to 200 mm thick and detonate within the structure.
Number four, the Javelin from United States The FGM-148 Javelin refers to a US-made man-portable
fire-and-forget anti-tank missile.
In the mid 1990s, it was deployed to replace the M47 Dragon.
Deliveries to the US Army and US Marine Corps commenced in 1996.
This missile has been exported to more than 20 countries including Australia, France and
United Kingdom.
Currently, the FGM-148 Javelin is known as one of the most advanced man-portable anti-tank
guide missile systems in the world.
It has the ability to destroyed contemporary main battle tank.
It is also capable of taking out low flying helicopters.
Only a few existing anti-tank missiles, such as Israeli Spike can match the Javelin performance.
The Javelin is a man-portable fire-and-forget type weapon that may be carried by a single
person.
It is shoulder-fired that can be installed on the tripod or tracked and wheeled armour
vehicles.
The Javelin automatically guides itself to the target after launch, allowing the gunner
to take cover and avoid counterfire.
Soldiers or Marines can reposition immediately after firing, or reload to engage another
threat.
There is a FGM-148F version, fitted with multi-purpose warhead.
This seems to be much more effective against enemy personnel, weapon crews, buildings and
lightly armoured or unarmoured vehicles.
Number five, the HJ-12 from China The HJ-12 refers to the Hong Jian 12 or Red
Arrow 12.
It is a new Chinese anti-tank guided weapon.
It is a fire-and-forget type weapon, which is highly similar to the baseline US FGM-148A
Javelin, that was adopted by the US Army and Marine Corps in 1996.
This missile was first publicly revealed in 2014 and was proposed for export customers
as a less expensive alternative to the Javelin.
With a range of 2,500 m and able to penetrates 800 mm of steel armor behind explosive reactive
armour, this missile employs a similar infrared imaging guidance method as the Javelin, and
attacks its targets from the top.
This Chinese anti-tank missile adopts an infrared imaging seeker or a TV imaging seeker for
all-weather day-and-night fire.
It has a soft launch capability, in the first stage of the launch the missile is thrown
forward around 20 meters via a small compressed gas cylinder which is located at the back
of the missile.
When the missile thrown away from the operator, the main engine turns on.
This characteristic allows the missile to be launched from structures and bunkers without
leaving the gunner in danger.
Number six, the MAPATS from Israel The MAPATS or Man Portable Anti-Tank System
is a laser guided-beam riding anti-tank guided missile developed by Israel Military Industries
as a possible successor to United States' wire-guided BGM-71 TOW.
The MAPATS was designed for use by infantry, vehicles, and helicopters.
This weapon is clearly a derivative of the US-made BGM-71 TOW missile, but no assistance
from the US military or defence industry in the development of the MAPATS has ever been
mentioned.
This missile was originally shown to the Israel Defence Forces and they were reportedly began
using it in 1985.
Though it looks similar to a BGM-71 TOW at first glance, the MAPATS has its own sequence
of commands.
The MAPATS is a missile with laser guidance with the initial warhead pierce steel armor
up to 800 mm thick.
This missile is capable of day and night operation, while the gunner has to direct his laser designator
on the target until the missile impacts.
Number seven, the Shershen from Belarus The Shershen which in English means Hornet,
is a Belarusian third generation anti-tank guided missile (ATGM).
It was designed to defeat modern armored vehicles, protected objects such as bunkers, pillboxes,
earth-and-timber emplacements and low-speed low-altitude targets helicopters and UAVs.
This missile is manufactured in Belarus by a state-owned company.
While both systems appear interchangeable in which the Ukrainian Skif and the Belarusian
Shershen have slightly different applications.
This weapon uses laser guidance and its RK-2S missile has a tandem shaped charge warhead.
It penetrates 800 mm of steel armor behind explosive reactive armour.
Number eight, the Kornet from Russia The Kornet, with a western reporting name
of AT-14 or Spriggan, is a Russian anti-tank guided missile that has been in service since
1994.
Its fearsome reputation is derived from its extreme range that’s far beyond most current
anti-tank missiles.
For example, the FGM-148 Javelin can only deliver its lethal top attack warhead 2.5
kilo-meters away, while the original Kornet-E developed by the Instrument Design Bureau
(KBP) had a maximum range of 5.5 km.
However despite having a substantially longer range, the Russian Kornet is not that advanced
in terms of guidance as the US Javelin.
With a 152 mm diameter, it is considered as one of the largest and most powerful anti-tank
guided missile’s ever built.
It also has been exported to a number of countries and was frequently used in combat zone.
It also has the capacity to penetrates 1,000 mm of steel armour behind explosive reactive
armour.
Recently, a new missile with thermobaric warhead was developed for this weapon and production
was planned to begin in 2019.
It has a range of 5.5 km and is effective against buildings, bunkers, field fortifications
and entrenched troops.
However despite significantly longer range, the Russian Kornet is not that advanced in
terms of guidance as other modern anti-tank guided missiles.
Number nine, the TOW 2 from the U.S The TOW 2 is a heavy anti-tank missile which
is used by the US Army since 1983 and proved to be a very effective weapon.
The TOW 2 remains a very capable anti-tank system despite the fact that this weapon is
nearly 40 years old.
This weapon system is serviced by a crew of three soldiers, including commander, gunner
and assistance gunner.
The TOW 2 missile is available in several versions and is produced in wireless and wire-guided
forms.
The wireless missiles require no special alterations to the launcher.
It has a range of 3.75 km and penetrates 900 mm of steel armor behind explosive reactive
armor.
The TOW 2 launcher is compatible with all previous TOW missiles and has got a thermal
imaging sight that can be used at night.
This missile system was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, which constituted
the first operational firing of the TOW 2B missile.
Number 10, the MILAN ER The Milan ER is a new development of the combat-proven
MILAN anti-tank guided missile, that is in service for nearly 50 years and was adopted
by more than 40 countries.
This weapon employs a new launcher and more powerful missile with longer range.
Development of this weapon began in 2005, and it was ready for mass production in 2011.
The MILAN ER has been selected by at least 3 existing operators of the MILAN system.
Interestingly the French Army rejected the MILAN ER and went for a more advanced MMP
anti-tank guided missile.
The MILAN ER uses a new firing post with integral thermal imager.
The new launcher is compatible with previous variants of the MILAN missiles, including
MILAN 2 and MILAN 3, and remains a wire-guided system.
In the 1980s, the United States delivered several weaponry to the Mujahideen in Afghanistan
to battle Soviet troops, including MILAN missile systems.
This missile had a similar effect on tanks and armored personnel carriers as Stinger
missiles had on Soviet helicopters, and it was lethal to Soviet armor.
During a firefight in Kapisa Province in 2010, French troops also used a MILAN system to
murder four Afghan civilians.
So, which missile do you think is the most lethal one?
Feel free to drop your comments below.
That’s all for today, thanks for watching and see you next time!