BGM-71 TOW

BGM-71 TOW is an American anti-tank missile system, one of the most widely used and successful weapons of its type in history. Developed during the Cold War by the Hughes Aircraft Company, it entered service with the United States Army in 1970. The system's name is an acronym for "Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided," describing its core launch and guidance method. It has been continuously upgraded and exported to over 45 countries, seeing extensive combat from the Vietnam War to modern conflicts.

Development and history

The TOW program was initiated by the United States Army in the early 1960s to replace the earlier M40 recoilless rifle and the ENTAC missile. The primary contract was awarded to the Hughes Aircraft Company in 1963, with the goal of creating a heavy, long-range anti-tank weapon for infantry and vehicle use. Key development and testing occurred at facilities like the Redstone Arsenal in Alabama. The system successfully passed trials and was first fielded in 1970, with early models deployed to South Vietnam during the closing stages of the Vietnam War. Subsequent production and improvement contracts were later awarded to McDonnell Douglas and, ultimately, Raytheon, which remains the primary manufacturer.

Design and variants

The basic TOW system consists of a launch tube, a tripod-mounted traversing unit, and an optical sight for the gunner. It employs a SACLOS (Semi-Automatic Command to Line of Sight) guidance system, where the gunner keeps the crosshairs on the target and the missile automatically corrects its flight via signals transmitted through thin wires that unspool behind it. Major variants include the **TOW 2**, introduced in 1983 with a larger warhead and improved guidance to counter Soviet explosive reactive armor. The **TOW 2A** features a tandem-charge warhead, while the **TOW 2B** is a top-attack variant. Later models like the **TOW Bunker Buster** are designed for fortified positions, and the wireless **TOW RF** uses radio guidance. The system can be deployed from the M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle, the M113 armored personnel carrier, and helicopters like the AH-1 Cobra.

Operational use

The BGM-71 TOW first saw combat in 1972 during the Easter Offensive in Vietnam. It achieved significant success in the hands of the Israel Defense Forces during the Yom Kippur War and the 1982 Lebanon War. The Central Intelligence Agency supplied TOW missiles to the Mujahideen during the Soviet–Afghan War, where they were famously used against Soviet Army armor. More recently, TOW systems have been prominently used by the Free Syrian Army and other factions in the Syrian Civil War, often supplied via programs supported by the United States Department of State. The missile has also been employed by Iraqi Security Forces in the War in Iraq (2013–2017) against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

Specifications

* **Guidance System:** SACLOS wire-guided (RF guidance in TOW RF variant) * **Warhead:** Tandem HEAT (High-Explosive Anti-Tank) * **Armor Penetration:** Over 900mm RHA behind ERA for TOW 2A * **Launch Weight:** Approximately 22 kg (missile in tube) * **Length:** 1.17 m (missile) * **Diameter:** 152 mm * **Effective Range:** 65 m to 3,750 m (TOW 2) * **Maximum Range:** 4,200 m for later variants * **Propulsion:** Two-stage solid-propellant rocket motor * **Launch Platforms:** Ground tripod, M151 jeep, M113, M2 Bradley, AH-1 Cobra, UH-1 Iroquois

Operators

The BGM-71 TOW is operated by the armed forces of over 45 nations worldwide. Major operators include the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and the militaries of numerous NATO allies such as the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and Turkey. It is also widely used in the Middle East by countries including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Israel, and Jordan. In Asia, operators include Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Pakistan. Several nations, like Canada and Australia, have retired the system in favor of newer weapons like the FGM-148 Javelin.

Category:Anti-tank missiles of the United States Category:Cold War anti-tank missiles Category:Raytheon