AT Missile systems

lobbie111

New Member
Ok below i have copied directly from army-technology.com a list of current anti tank missile systems granted they all have their pro's and cons but now there is a an even wider selection of current and developing countermeasure systems from IR flares to lasers, I guess what I'm trying to get across is will they just become guided bunker busters in 10 to 20 years or will they just get better and which ones in particular...

* BILL 2 Anti-Tank Guided Weapon
* Brimstone Anti-Armour Missile
* EFOGM Anti-Armour Missile
* Eryx Heavy Anti-Armour Missile
* HOT Anti-Tank Weapon System
* Javelin Anti-Armour Missile
* Kornet E Anti-Armour Missile
* LOSAT Line-of-Sight Anti-Tank Weapon
* MBT LAW Light Anti-Tank Weapon
* Milan Anti-Tank Missile System
* Polyphem Fibre-Optic Guided Missile System
* Predator Light Anti-Armour Missile
* Shturm Self Propelled Anti-Tank Guided Missile System
* Spike Anti-Armour Missile System
* TOW 2 Heavy Anti-Tank Missile
* Trigat LR Anti-Armour Missile

thanks for any comments
 

buglerbilly

Defense Professional
Verified Defense Pro
EFOGM
LOSAT
& Polyphem are all redundant or terminated systems. I'm glad to see they keep their records up-to-date.

Regards,

BUG
 

lobbie111

New Member
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #3
I heard different about Losat, and besides the US might not be using it but they might as well sell it...
 

suddendeath

New Member
Ok below i have copied directly from army-technology.com a list of current anti tank missile systems granted they all have their pro's and cons but now there is a an even wider selection of current and developing countermeasure systems from IR flares to lasers, I guess what I'm trying to get across is will they just become guided bunker busters in 10 to 20 years or will they just get better and which ones in particular...

* BILL 2 Anti-Tank Guided Weapon
* Brimstone Anti-Armour Missile
* EFOGM Anti-Armour Missile
* Eryx Heavy Anti-Armour Missile
* HOT Anti-Tank Weapon System
* Javelin Anti-Armour Missile
* Kornet E Anti-Armour Missile
* LOSAT Line-of-Sight Anti-Tank Weapon
* MBT LAW Light Anti-Tank Weapon
* Milan Anti-Tank Missile System
* Polyphem Fibre-Optic Guided Missile System
* Predator Light Anti-Armour Missile
* Shturm Self Propelled Anti-Tank Guided Missile System
* Spike Anti-Armour Missile System
* TOW 2 Heavy Anti-Tank Missile
* Trigat LR Anti-Armour Missile

thanks for any comments
i believe that even LAW isnt used anymore basically its an light antitank weapon and
most MBTs are heavily protected especially at the front.
could be used to take out light Armour though.
 
Last edited:

winnyfield

New Member
The MBT LAW is probably the better one-man bunker buster weapon; relatively light, 600m range and top-attack mode for armour. However as with all weapons with guidance, it's expensive and bulky compared with a single thermobraic unguided M72/AT4.

IMO, the scaling (from infantry to helicopters) of the Spike is the most interesting and might be the business model for other manufacturers in future. It has the best potential to reduce cost.
 

lobbie111

New Member
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #8
well everyone is buying it it even features on the puma IFV, although with the spike the infantry version is really no better than the AT4 so its not that great to me
 

suddendeath

New Member
well everyone is buying it it even features on the puma IFV, although with the spike the infantry version is really no better than the AT4 so its not that great to me
M136 AT4

The M136 AT4 is the Army's primary light anti-tank weapon. The M136 AT4 is a recoilless rifle used primarily by Infantry Forces for engagement and defeat of light armor. The recoilless rifle design permits accurate delivery of an 84mm High Explosive Anti-Armor warhead, with negligible recoil. The M136 AT4 is a lightweight, self-contained, antiarmor weapon consisting of a free-flight, fin-stabilized, rocket-type cartridge packed in an expendable, one-piece, fiberglass-wrapped tube. The M136 AT4 is man-portable and is fired from the right shoulder only. The launcher is watertight for ease of transportation and storage. Unlike the M72-series LAW, the M136 AT4 launcher need not be extended before firing. Though the M136 AT4 can be employed in limited visibility, the firer must be able to see and identify the target and estimate the range to it. Subsequent to the initial fielding of the weapon, a reusable night sight bracket was developed and fielded. It permits utilization of standard night vision equipment. The system's tactical engagement range is 250 meters and has been used in multiple combat situations. The round of ammunition is self-contained in a disposable launch tube. The system weighs 15 pounds and can be utilized effectively with minimal training.
TECHNICAL DATA
The following data apply to the M136 AT4:

Primary function: Light anti-armor weapon
Manufacturer: FFV Ordnance, Sweden and Alliant Techsystems

Launcher.
Length..................... 1,020 mm (40 inches)
Weight (Complete System) .. 6.7 kg (14.8 pounds)
Rear Sight................. Range indicator, graduated in 50-meter increments

Rocket.
Caliber ................... 84 mm
Muzzle Velocity............ 290 mps (950 fps)
Length .................... 460 mm (18 inches)
Weight..................... 1.8 kg (4 pounds)
Minimum Range Training ........... 30 meters (100 feet)
Combat ................. 10 meters (33 feet)
Arming.................. 10 meters (33 feet)
Maximum Range ............. 2,100 meters (6,890 feet)
Maximum Effective Range ... 300 meters (985 feet)

Penetration: 400 mm of rolled homogenous armor
Time of Flight (to 250 meters): less than 1 second
Muzzle velocity: 950 feet (285 meters) per second
Operating temperature: -104 to +140° F (-40 to +60°C)
Ammunition: Rocket with shaped charge warhead
Unit Replacement Cost: $1,480.64

The M136 AT4's warhead has excellent penetration ability and lethal after-armor effects. The extremely destructive, 440 gram shaped-charge explosive penetrates more than 14 inches (35.6 cm) of armor.

* (1) Impact. The nose cone crushes; the impact sensor activates the fuze.
* (2) Ignition. The piezoelectric fuze element activates the electric detonator. The booster detonates, initiating the main charge.
* (3) Penetration. The main charge fires and forces the warhead body liner into a directional gas jet that penetrates armor plate.
* (4) After-armor effects (spalling). The projectile fragments and incendiary effects produce blinding light and destroy the interior of the target.

M136 AT4 launchers are marked with color-coded bands). A black with yellow band indicates an HE anti armor round (early models had a solid black band). A gold or yellow band indicates a field handling trainer; no band indicates an M287 9-mm tracer bullet trainier.
THE at4 is notorious for the huge back blast making operations somewhat difficult.cheers:)
source fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/at4.htm
 

Uche Africanus

New Member
lobbie111,

Is there any reason you did not list the Metis-M ATM? it can also be used as a bunker buster, at least when equipped with a thermobraic war head..
 

buglerbilly

Defense Professional
Verified Defense Pro
THE at4 is notorious for the huge back blast making operations somewhat difficult.cheers:)
source fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/at4.htm
Which is the reason why the "CS" version is popular in some quarters. ;)

[For those not familiar CS = Confined Space as in able to fire from confined spaces such as rooms etc.............it uses water as the counter-blast]

MBT LAW just ordered by the UK, Sweden and now Finland, is a direct descendant of AT4...........solely manufactured in Northern Ireland at the Thales-owned plant, what used to be Shorts Bros............:cool:

To say these hand-helds are somehow useless or irrelevant against MBT's is a nonsense and most definitely NOT the view of the majority of armour personnel.
 

McTaff

Defense Professional
Verified Defense Pro
Which is the reason why the "CS" version is popular in some quarters. ;)

[For those not familiar CS = Confined Space as in able to fire from confined spaces such as rooms etc.............it uses water as the counter-blast]

MBT LAW just ordered by the UK, Sweden and now Finland, is a direct descendant of AT4...........solely manufactured in Northern Ireland at the Thales-owned plant, what used to be Shorts Bros............:cool:

To say these hand-helds are somehow useless or irrelevant against MBT's is a nonsense and most definitely NOT the view of the majority of armour personnel.
Very true. Even an off-target hit on other parts of the tank cause some pretty serious damage.

As a note - First time I heard someone mention AT4-CS, I was thinking "WTF? Teargas in an anti-tank rocket?" until it was fully explained. I would have thought they'd have thought of a better moniker.
 

buglerbilly

Defense Professional
Verified Defense Pro
Very true. Even an off-target hit on other parts of the tank cause some pretty serious damage.

As a note - First time I heard someone mention AT4-CS, I was thinking "WTF? Teargas in an anti-tank rocket?" until it was fully explained. I would have thought they'd have thought of a better moniker.
Ha! Yeah gotta admit I thought something similar...........:D
 

winnyfield

New Member
Here's a question I've been wondering ... what would a thermobaric round do to an armoured vehicle?

I've seen the video of the RPO-A Shmel vs building but what effect would it have against something not as brittle, say an IFV?

My thought experiment thinks that, if a hatch was open, thats when it would be a threat to personel. Otherwise, the AFV would remain in tact.
 
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