How far can a TOW travel in 22 seconds? Just wondering (don't have speed specs)
T90 is a decent tank, slightly faster than an Abrams without the limiters removed, much lighter, 47 tons vs 68 for the A2.
Every tank has its vulnerabilities. The German Tiger was one of those that seemed invincible, unless you could hit anything on the back.
Range 4200 meters @ 280-320 m/s. Call it 300 and the math works out to 14. The bigger problem is it will run out of guidance wire at about that range.
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=871_1456476988
The TOW is 1970’s technology. They’ve had plenty of time to work on countermeasures. Our entire military technology base is aging out while we waste money on the F-35, LCS and other gold plated General Officer nest-egg projects.
There are several models of TOW missiles, some that can defeat reactive armor and some not. Who knows which model this one was.
TOW isn't our only anti-tank weapon now anyway. There is Hellfire and Javelin.
Quantity has a certain Quality of its own, the Russians of All People should understand that.
Yemen's Houthi militias using the outdated 9K111 Fagot ATGM.
Militias using fagots to deflect incoming rounds?
Original TOW is what was shared with the rebels to use against Asad. Reactive armor on the T90 will divert the TOW’s shape charge. TOW II or ITOW evolved etc which we use has a “dual” shape charge to counter reactive armor such as you see in the video.
No worries..... Russian tanks can still be killed by modern ground troops such as a TACP with a couple of radios and CAS / Artillery on call.... or a Tank killer Team of Rangers or Marines. Hell I think even USAF Security Forces (sky cops) ...are issued the Carl Gustaf M3 now . The FFV651 HEAT round from that launcher has a probe that defeats the reactive armor and the FFV751 HEAT round has a dual warhead that also turns the soft pink centers of T90’s into jello on the spall liners as well.
M3 Carl Gustaf’s are normally carried by 1 shooter with a spotter carrying a spare 6 rounds. Put 3 of those 2 man crews in a tank killer team volley firing from multiple points and T90 alone or multiple threat is countered IMO.
Albeit I’m retired, safe and sound back here in Texas these days I have maximum confidence in the troops tasked to kill enemy armor with the tools and skills provided to them currently.
My opinion based on past experience.
Even if the missile did not completely destroy the tank, it will definitely be going back to the shop for repairs, and the crew will need hearing aids for the rest of their lives.
Time for the CIA to get a couple of these tanks back to the US for testing. Money talks.
Ground based TOW might not work too well, that’s why we have Apaches and Cobras lurking in the clouds.
22-23 seconds is terminal flight time, so that'd be a maximum range shot, about 3500-3750 meters, depending on air density, propellant temperature and head-or crosswinds.
FY 2015 unit cost of a TOW 2 missile was $58,908.