TOW Anti-Tank Missile: The World’s Most Proven Tank Killer

Daftar Isi

An M41 tripod-mounted TOW ITAS-FTL with PADS of the U.S. Army in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, May 2009

Introduction: The BGM-71 TOW – A Battle-Tested Anti-Tank Powerhouse

The BGM-71 TOW (Tube-Launched, Optically-Tracked, Wire-Guided) missile stands as one of the most enduring and widely deployed anti-tank guided missile systems in military history. Developed during the Cold War by Hughes Aircraft Company, the TOW missile has been a formidable weapon on modern battlefields since the early 1970s. With over 650,000 units produced and used in more than 45 countries, the TOW system remains a critical component in anti-armor warfare, thanks to continuous upgrades and battlefield-proven effectiveness.

Development and Evolution of the TOW Missile

Originally developed in the mid-to-late 1960s, the TOW missile project received its production contract in 1968 and entered service in 1970. Its first combat use came in 1972, marking the beginning of a long and impactful legacy.

In 1997, Raytheon Technologies acquired Hughes Aircraft Company, assuming responsibility for ongoing development and production. Since then, Raytheon has continued to modernize the TOW, including wireless variants and advanced targeting capabilities.

Global Deployment and Combat Effectiveness

The TOW missile has played a vital role in several major conflicts, demonstrating its effectiveness against armored threats, particularly Soviet-era tanks. Notable combat deployments include:

• Vietnam War
• Yom Kippur War
• Iran-Iraq War
• Gulf War
• Iraq and Syria Conflicts

Its precision and armor-penetration capabilities have made it a go-to weapon system for neutralizing heavily armored targets, including the T-72 main battle tanks used by adversaries in the Middle East.

Design and Operation: How the TOW Missile Works

The basic infantry version of the TOW system consists of a launcher mounted on a tripod and a missile housed in a sealed launch container. Operated by a three-person crew—a commander, gunner, and assistant gunner—the system can be quickly disassembled and transported.

Key Operational Features:

• Semi-Automatic Command to Line-of-Sight (SACLOS) guidance
• Shooter must maintain line-of-sight until impact
• Wire-guided communication ensures secure, unjammable control
• Wireless variants are now available and compatible with existing launchers

The missile uses an optical tracker to monitor its trajectory, adjusting its course via signals transmitted through twin copper wires. In newer models, this guidance is executed wirelessly, reducing logistical and operational limitations.

Vehicle and Airborne Integration

The versatility of the TOW system extends beyond tripod-mounted ground use. It is widely deployed on:

• HMMWVs (Humvees)
• M2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles
• M3 Bradley Cavalry Fighting Vehicles
• M1134 Stryker ATGM Carriers (U.S. Army)
• LAV-AT (Light Armored Vehicle – Anti-Tank) (U.S. Marine Corps)
• Helicopter platforms

These integrations make the TOW missile a flexible and mobile solution for anti-armor missions across different terrains and combat scenarios.

Key Variants of the TOW Missile

BGM-71A

• Original version (1970)
• 3,000 m range
• Penetrates ~430 mm of Rolled Homogeneous Armor (RHA)

BGM-71B

• Extended range: 3,750 m
• Faster missile speed
• Longer wire for improved guidance

BGM-71C / Improved TOW (ITOW)

• Introduced in 1976
• Equipped with extensible probe for optimal detonation
• 630 mm armor penetration

BGM-71D / TOW 2

• Fielded in 1983
• Enhanced 5.9 kg warhead and upgraded launcher
• Thermal imaging for night combat
• 3.75 km range, 900 mm penetration
• Over 77,000 missiles produced

BGM-71E / TOW 2A

• Deployed in 1987
• Tandem warhead to defeat Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA)
• Available in both wire-guided and wireless versions
• Proven success during the 2003 Iraq invasion

BGM-71F / TOW 2B

• Top-attack missile introduced in 1987
• 4,200 m maximum range
• 6.14 kg warhead explodes above the tank to hit its vulnerable top armor
• Wireless versions standard
• First combat use in 2003 Iraq War

BGM-71G

• Another top-attack variant with a different warhead configuration
• Does not include the extensible probe

BGM-71H

• Bunker-buster version
• Effective against fortified positions and structures
• 3.75 km range
• Available in both guidance formats

TOW 2B Aero

• Extended-range version (formerly TOW 2B ER)
• 4.5 km maximum range
• Designed for long-range engagements in open terrain

TOW 2N

• Introduced in 1989 with a wireless data link
• Not adopted by U.S. military forces

Toophan

• Iranian reverse-engineered variant
• Reflects the global impact and attempted replication of the TOW system

TOW Missile System in Modern Warfare

Despite being over 50 years old, the TOW missile system remains a critical battlefield tool. Its unmatched penetration power, targeting accuracy, and compatibility with a range of platforms make it indispensable. Even in asymmetric warfare environments like Afghanistan and Syria, the TOW has delivered tactical superiority against conventional armored threats.

That said, operational reports have shown that the TOW 2B can be less effective than earlier models like the TOW 2A in certain environments, particularly where terrain or tactics limit its top-attack advantage.

Conclusion: A Timeless Anti-Tank Weapon Evolved for Modern Conflict

The BGM-71 TOW missile has earned its reputation as one of the most successful and reliable anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) systems ever developed. Its continued modernization, wireless variants, and battlefield versatility ensure it remains a frontline weapon for decades to come.

As militaries worldwide prioritize mobile and precise anti-armor capabilities, the TOW system—whether ground-mounted or vehicle-integrated—continues to deliver lethal performance and strategic flexibility in every operational theater.