Anti-Armor Weapon Systems Overview

Anti-Armor Weapon Systems Summary

• Javelin (M98A2): Man-portable, medium-range anti-tank weapon. Composed of a reusable Command Launch Unit (CLU) and a missile. The CLU features day/night sights, gunner controls, built-in testing, and display indicators. The missile includes a Launch Tube Assembly, Battery Cooling Unit, and is designed to defeat modern and future armor, with a maximum range of 2,500 meters. Minimum range for top attack is 150 meters and 65m for direct attack.

• Saber (M41A7): A mobile, heavy-duty, precision anti-tank system consisting of various components: a 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 uses at least 4 satellites and 5 satellites for far enemy position to provides grid coordinates for the weapon and the target. The system includes a Seeker Trigger, Round Interface Connector, and boasts FTL capability (60-meter CEP at 6000 meters) via PADS. Its elevation brake on the TU improves stability at launch. Hot and cold positions are vital for deployment. It allows for 36" of armor penetration through homogenized steel.

• Command Launch Unit (CLU): A crucial component of the Javelin system for launching the missile.

• Javelin Round/Missile: Consists of components for launch, cooling, and guidance.

• Positioning Considerations: Key factors include cover/concealment, dispersion, mutual support, standoff distances, and opportunities for flank shots. Positions should be chosen carefully based on the type of target and the terrain.

• Fire Patterns: Standard methods for strategically directing anti-armor fire toward multiple targets. Include frontal, crossfire, and depth firing as well as the concept of kill window.

• Active, Passive, and Reactive Protection: Systems for protecting armored vehicles: active (jamming, radar, fragmentation), passive (armor plating, cages, nets), and reactive (explosives).

• Target Prioritization (Precedence): Method for deciding which enemy targets to engage first based on perceived threat level.

• Weapon Positioning Strategies (Ambush Concept): Guides the precise positioning of anti-armor systems to maximize effectiveness when engaging targets.

• Categories of Anti-Armor Weapons: Categorized as light, medium, and heavy based on their capabilities and power.

• HAW, MAW, LAW Concept (Heavy, Medium, Light): The concept of using varying types of anti-armor weapons simultaneously, often maximizing range for engagement.

• Mass Surprise Fires (MSF): A strategy involving synchronized volleys of anti-armor fire to maximize impact and demoralize the enemy.

• Specific Anti-Armor Weapon Details: Detailed specifications for various weapons like MAAWS, Javelin, TOW 2B/Aero. Includes max and min ranges, possible penetration and other key launch characteristics. Considerations for specific weapons like LAV-25, LAAW, MG, RW (Rocket/Weapon), FW (Fighter/Weapon), Arty (Artillery) are included.

• Additional Considerations: Clearances, backblast, enemy position and threat levels, friendly positions, water considerations and more.

• Operational Displays: Descriptions of the display indicators used, such as NVS (Night Vision Sight) temperature, attack mode, missile path to target, and connection indicators (e.g., "SEEK," "MSL CONN") in the command launch unit.