BGM-71 TOW

An American heavy anti-tank guided missile family for tripod, vehicle and helicopter launchers, fielded in wire-guided and radio-frequency variants for anti-armour and anti-fortification missions.

Overview

The BGM-71 TOW is a heavy anti-tank guided missile developed in the United States and introduced into service in 1970. Its original name expanded to "Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided," although current radio-frequency variants replace the trailing command wires with a wireless link. Unlike shoulder-fired anti-tank weapons, TOW is a crew-served system carried on a tripod or integrated with vehicles and helicopters. Its principal US launch platforms include the Improved Target Acquisition System, the M2 Bradley fighting vehicle and the Stryker anti-tank guided missile vehicle.

The family has evolved from the original BGM-71A into specialized missiles for different target sets. TOW 2A uses a tandem shaped-charge warhead against vehicles protected by explosive reactive armour; TOW 2B is an overflight top-attack weapon; and TOW Bunker Buster is intended for structures and field fortifications. Most variants have a maximum range of 3.75 km, while the extended TOW 2B Aero reaches up to 4.5 km. Raytheon states that TOW has been integrated on more than 15,000 ground, vehicle and helicopter platforms and serves more than 40 armed forces. The manufacturer expects the system to remain in US service beyond 2050.

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