US BGM-71 TOWs – How Deadly Is This Weapon?

The Defense Forces of Ukraine will be armed with American BGM-71 TOW anti-tank missile systems. These weapons will help the Ukrainians destroy Russian armored vehicles.
The anti-tank systems were included in a new package of US military support worth up to $775 million, the Pentagon announced on August 19.
United States President Joe Biden is authorizing additional aid to Ukraine, using his presidential authority to transfer excess weapons from the US stockpile. The authorization is the nineteenth withdrawal of equipment by the Biden administration from the US military stockpile for Ukraine since August 2021.

The American BGM-71 TOW heavy anti-tank missile system is one of the main ATGMs in the US military. It belongs to the second generation and is one of the most widespread anti-tank missile systems in the world, it is in service in more than 40 countries around the world.

The complex in its first version was adopted by the US Army in 1970. After that, it was repeatedly modernized and the US Army continues to use it. The guidance of the guided anti-tank missile is a command, semi-automatic, the control is carried out by the operator, through a wire connection.

The tube-launched, optically-tracked, wireless-guided TOW® weapon system, with the multi-mission TOW 2A, TOW 2B Aero, and TOW Bunker Buster missiles, is the premier long-range, heavy assault-precision anti-armor, anti-fortification and anti-amphibious landing weapon system used throughout the world today. The TOW missile enables ground forces to achieve overmatch against adversary armored and wheeled systems, regardless of the environment or conditions.

The TOW 2A, TOW 2B Aero, and TOW Bunker Buster missiles can be fired from all TOW weapon system launchers – including the ITAS™ launcher, and Stryker anti-tank guided missile vehicle (modified ITAS launcher), and Bradley Fighting Vehicles (improved Bradley Acquisition Subsystem).

With its extended range performance, the TOW missile is the long-range precision, heavy anti-tank, and assault weapon system of choice for the U.S. Army Stryker, Bradley Fighting Vehicle, ITAS High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, and Light Armored Vehicle-Anti-tank platforms. Upgrade programs will extend the missile’s life cycle beyond 2050. Raytheon Missiles & Defense has delivered more than 700,000 TOW weapon systems to U.S. and allied warfighters.

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