Anti-Armor Weapon Systems Overview

Anti-Armor Weapon Systems

• Javelin (M98A2): A man-portable, medium-range anti-tank weapon system, comprising a reusable Command Launch Unit (CLU) and a missile.

  • CLU: Includes sights (day/night), gunner controls, display indicators, and built-in testing capabilities.
  • Missile: Has a launch tube assembly (LTA), battery cooling unit (BCU), and a warhead capable of defeating various armor types, with a maximum range of 2,500 meters.
  • Minimum Range: Top attack: 150 meters; direct attack: 65 meters
  • Sight Magnifications: Day FOV (4x), WFOV (4x), NFOV (12x), Seeker FOV (9x).

• Saber (M41A7): A man-portable, heavy anti-tank precision fire system.

  • Components: Launch tube, Target Acquisition Subsystem (TAS), Traversing Unit (TU), tripod, Fire Control Subsystem (FCS), Lithium Power Source (LPS), and Position Attitude Determination Subsystem (PADS).
  • PADS: Determines position and attitude via satellite signals and provides grid coordinates. Requires a minimum of 4 satellites for own position and 5 satellites for far enemy position to achieve 60-meter CEP (Circular Error Probable) at 6000 meters.
  • Improved Stability: Achieved via TU elevation break.
  • Launch Positions: Hot (good firefields, accommodates backblast). Cold (maximum cover, defendable).
  • Penetration: Homogenized steel, 36 inches.
  • System Considerations: Launch tube and wire clearance, friendly locations, backblast, standoff, minimum engagement range, systems checks, and water conditions.

• TOW Missiles (BGM-71 series): A family of anti-tank guided missiles offering various enhancements.

  • Tow 2B Aero (BGM-71F-3): 200-4200m range with aerodynamic ogive; capable of a fly-over attack.
  • Tow 2B Aero Gen 2 (BGM-71F-6): Same range as Tow 2B Aero but with CAPS (Control and Acquisition Program Set).
  • TOW BB (BGM-71H): 65-3000m range, Titanium Point (TP) warhead, suitable for challenging targets.
  • ITOW (BGM-71C): 65-3750m range, warhead, extendable probe.

• General Anti-Armor Considerations:

  • Positioning Concepts: Frontal, crossfire, depth fire, killwindow fire; principles include cover/concealment, dispersion, mutual support, standoff, and flank shots.
  • Weapon Priorities: Target precedence (based on threat level) dictates initial engagement.
  • Positions: Primary, alternate, and supplementary positions for varied missions.
  • Weapon Types: Light, medium, and heavy categories. Strategies for simultaneous engagement, including HAW MAW LAW and Mass Surprise Fires (MSF)

• Other Weapon Systems:

  • MAAWS (Multiple-Armor-Piercing-Weapon Systems): Various types (HE, HEAT, HEDP, ADM, Ilumination).
    • Max ranges are detailed for each type.
    • Launch angles and backblast considerations (in degrees and meters) are presented.
  • LAV-25, LAAW, MG, RW, FW, Arty: Features, capabilities, and limitations are noted

• General Weapon System Advantages & Disadvantages:

  • ATGM advantages: High first-round hit probability, deployable on various platforms, effective against various armor types.
  • ATGM Disadvantages: Vulnerability to enemy fire, slow time of flight, limited by terrain/vegetation.
  • Other Weapon Advantages/Disadvantages: (specific advantages & disadvantages for LAV-25, LAAW, MG, RW, FW, Arty are included in the cards.)

Weapons System Indicators

• CLU Display Indicators: NVS NOT COOL, Attack Mode
• Missile Display Indicators: Seeker Mode ("SEEK"), missile connection ("MSL CONN"), missile not ready