Function: Guided missile weapon system.







Description: The basic TOW Weapon System was fielded in 1970. This system is designed to attack and defeat tanks and other armored vehicles. It is primarily used in antitank warfare, and is a command to line of sight, wire-guided weapon. The system will operate in all weather conditions and on the "dirty" battlefield. The TOW 2 launcher is the most recent launcher upgrade. It is compatible with all TOW missiles. The TOW 2 Weapon System is composed of a reusable launcher, a missile guidance set, and sight system. The system can be tripod mounted. However because it is heavy, it is generally employed from the HMMWV and LAV-AT. The missile has a 20-year maintenance-free storage life. All versions of the TOW missile can be fired from the current launcher.







History: The original TOW missile had a diameter of 5 inches and a range of 3000 meters. Considerable improvements have been made to the missile since 1970. The Improved TOW (ITOW) was delivered in 1982. This missile has a 5-inch diameter warhead, and includes an extended probe for greater standoff and penetration. An enhanced flight motor was included in the ITOW, increasing the missile's range to 3750 meters. The TOW 2 series of improvements includes TOW 2 Hardware, TOW 2 Missile, TOW 2A Missile, and TOW 2B Missile. The TOW 2 Hardware improvements included a thermal beacon guidance system enabling the gunner to more easily track a target at night and numerous improvements to the Missile Guidance System (MGS). The TOW 2 Missile has a 6-inch diameter warhead and the extended probe first introduced with ITOW. The TOW 2B Missile incorporates new fly-over, shoot-down technology.







General Characteristics, TOW Missile Weapon System







Manufacturer:

Hughes Aircraft Corporation and Raytheon Corporation







Length:

TOW 2A Missile: 50.40 inches (128.02 centimeters)



TOW 2B Missile: 48.0 inches (121.9 centimeters)







Weight:

Launcher w/TOW 2 Mods: 204.6 pounds (92.89 kilograms)



Missile Guidance Set: 52.8 pounds (23.97 kilograms)



TOW 2 Missile: 47.4 pounds (21.52 kilograms)



TOW 2A Missile: 49.9 pounds (22.65 kilograms)



TOW 2B Missile: 49.8 pounds (22.60 kilograms)













Diameter:

TOW 2A Missile: 5.87 inches (14.91 centmeters)



TOW 2B Missile: 5.8 inches (14.9 centimeters)







Maximum Effective Range:

2.33 miles (3.75 kilometers)







Armor Penetration:

T-80 +







Time of Flight to Maximum Effective Range:

TOW 2A Missile: 20 seconds

TOW 2B Missile: 21 seconds







Inventory:

1,247 TOW launchers







Introduction Date:

1970







Unit Cost:

$180,000