[Chainmail]

Need to update your armor defeat database: the new TOW uses what's called a "self-forging" projectile. As the missile flies over its target, the proximity sensor triggers an explosive charge which forms and shoots a tantalum slug at very high velocity through the armor like a knife through butter. The energy of that penetration and the spall from the armor sprays superhot metal throughout the tank interior and as in the photo, ignites the tank's ammo.

Chicken wire or spaced armor or anything else will not affect this warhead.

An earlier poster wants to send a warning to jihadis that we have that kind of weapon. Unfortunately, the terrorists already have it: one of the more effective IEDs we faced in Iraq and are facing in Afghanistan is exactly this type of warhead, fired laterally from a roadside. Thanks to the Iranians, enemy forces have lots of these things, usually triggered by an IR beam, just like the one we use in stores to signal that a customer has entered.

You guys need to stay current.

[gr8eman]

Yes, True and Yes. Just curious as to the cost per. That is probably the only aspect keeping us out of heap big doodoo.

[dljordan]

” Unfortunately, the terrorists already have it: one of the more effective IEDs we faced in Iraq and are facing in Afghanistan is exactly this type of warhead, fired laterally from a roadside.”

I recently watched a video from Syria (I think) where they were using anti-armor grenades. They seemed to work pretty well but you had to be within throwing distance from an armored vehicle which I don’t believe is very healthy in the long run.