Today we will show you about TOW,
the Russians probably have the best anti-tank missiles but the United States military is not
a loser either. First produced in 1970, TOW is one of the most widely used anti-tank guided missiles.
The TOW anti-tank guided missile is still deadly after nearly 50 years of service
where it proved itself as a very effective weapon. The TOW anti-tank missiles were responsible for
many destroyed tanks, mostly Russian-made. It was introduced during the war in Vietnam.
Initially developed by Hughes Aircraft between 1963 and 1968,
the XBGM-71A was designed for both ground and heliborne applications. In 1997, Raytheon Co.
purchased Hughes Electronics from General Motors Corporation, so development and production of
TOW systems now comes under the Raytheon brand. The TOW missiles are typically used by various
companies for heavy anti-armor work but still the TOW is able to knock-out even
the most protected tanks. The weapon is used in anti-armor, anti-bunker, anti-fortification
and anti-amphibious landing roles. TOW is in service with over 45 armed
forces and is integrated on over 15,000 ground, vehicle and helicopter platforms worldwide.
The missiles can be fired from the ground using a tripod-mounted launch tube or installed on
vehicles. The TOW missile system can be fitted as a single-tube pedestal mount on military vehicles
or as two-tube or four-tube under-armour systems on vehicles such as the improved TOW
vehicle JLTV, humvee , M901, Desert Warrior, Piranha, US Marine Corps LAV,
Dardo Hitfist and Bradley M2/M3, a dedicated anti-tank missile carrier, based on the Stryker.
Airborne TOW is in service in at least 13 countries. More than 2,100 units have been
delivered and helicopters fitted with the TOW missile include the AgustaWestland Lynx,
AgustaWestland A129, Bell Textron 206L, UH-1 Huey, Hughes 500MD helicopter, Eurocopter Bo 105 and
Bell Textron AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter. How TOW anti-tank missiles Work?
In its basic infantry form, the system breaks down into a number of modules:
a folding tripod mount, a launch tube (into the rear of which encased missiles are inserted),
a mandatory daysight tracker unit, which can be augmented with an optional AN/TAS-4 or AN/TAS-4/A
gas-cooled night sight (or an all-in-one tracker unit on the M41 ITAS version),
and a traversing unit, which mounts onto the tripod and carries the launch tube and sight,
that also includes the weapon's trigger and the bridging clamp, which mates with the missile's
umbilical data connector. In addition to this main assembly, there is a separate fire control
system (FCS) module, which performs all guidance calculations, and a battery pack to power the
system. These two modules link to each other, with the FCS then linked to the daysight with a cable.
When the target is sighted and the trigger is pulled, there is a 1.5-second firing delay while
the missile spins up its internal gyroscope and the thermal battery reaches operating temperature.
Once this concludes, the launch motor fires through the rear nozzle propelling the missile
from the tube: this soft-launch motor fires for only 0.05 seconds
and burns out before the missile has exited the tube. As the missile exits the launch tube,
first four wings just forward of the flight motor spring open forwards, followed by four
tail control surfaces, which flip open rearwards as the missile completely exits the launch tube.
As the wings fully extend at about 7 meters from the launcher, the flight motor ignites,
boosting the missile's speed to approximately 600 miles per hour (~1,000 kilometers per hour) during
its burn time. At 0.18 seconds after launch, around 65 meters from the launcher, the warhead is
armed by G-forces from acceleration by the flight motor, a safety feature intended to protect the
operator if the flight motor fails to ignite. The flight motor burns out 1.6 seconds after launch,
with the missile gliding for the remainder of its flight time. After the tracker captures the
missile, IR sensors bore-sighted to the daysight tracker continuously monitor the position of an
IR beacon on the missile's tail relative to the line-of-sight, with the FCS generating course
corrections which are sent via the command link to the missile's integral flight control unit.
The missile then corrects its flight path via the control surface actuators.
The operator keeps the sight's crosshair centered over the target until impact: if the missile
fails to strike a target, the command wires are automatically cut at 3,000 meters on the original
TOW and 3,750 meters on most current-production TOWs. An automatic wirecut also occurs if the
tracker fails to detect the missile's thermal beacon within 1.85 seconds of launching.
Variants BGM-71A, a basic missile of the TOW. It has
a range of 3.000 m and penetrates 430 mm of Rolled Homogenous Armor. It was first fielded in 1970.
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 improved shape-charged warhead. It also has an extensible
probe that triggers 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 new BGM-71D missile, new reusable launcher, missile guidance
set, and 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 extensible probe, as well as improved guidance. It has a range of 3.75 km
and penetrates 900 mm of steel armor. 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 weights 6.14
kg. This missile lacks extensible probe. These anti-tank missiles are produced in wireless and
wire-guided forms. First unit was equipped with these missiles in 1992. In 2003 these missiles,
alongside with 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 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 is a top-attack missile with different warhead. It also lacks extensible probe.
BGM-71H is a bunker-busting missile. It is used against buildings or fortified structures.
This missile has a range of 3.75 km. This missile is produced in wireless and wire-guided forms.
TOW 2B Aero is 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 is an Iranian reverse-engineered version of the TOW.
Thanks For Watching.