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The "Gil" Personal Anti-Tank Missile [Pics too]
Israel Defense Forces ^ | May 8, 2003 | IDF Spokesperson's Unit

Posted on 05/09/2003 10:05:37 AM PDT by yonif

May 8, 2003

The "Gil" Personal Anti-Tank Missile

Based on lessons drawn from various wars fought by the IDF, it was decided to make improvements in the area of firepower and (battlefield) command and control, as well as intelligence gathering on the battlefield.

IMI (Israeli Military Industries) has developed advanced missiles that fit the above-mentioned areas of improvement, including the "Popeye" and "Python" aerial missiles, the "Barak" naval missile, and the "Gil" anti-tank missile.The "Gil" anti-tank missile, manufactured by Rafael, is a member of the "Spike" family.






The IDF makes widespread use of anti-tank missiles used againist armored vehicles and APC's. Anti-tank missiles can be mounted and fired with pinpoint accuracy from stationary positions, aircraft, and vehicles, thereby improving the firepower as well as manuverability of the IDF.

It should also be noted that Rafael anti-tank missiles contribute to the IDF's strategy of transferring the battle to enemy territory.

Anti-Tank Missile Categories:

Anti-tank missiles are organized according to their technological development and guidance systems.

First Generation Missiles:

Wire-guided missiles, which must be manually guided to their target. After the missile is launched, a tube releases a wire which trails back to the launcher and is directed by the soldier. A common variation: the Egyptian "Sagger" anti-tank missile.

Second Generation Missiles:

Partially automatically guided missiles. When a target is chosen, the soldier who directs the missile must paint the target during the duration of the missile's flight.

A common example: the Israeli "Orlev" missile (TOW 2). These generation of missiles also includes "laser guided" missiles, such as the American "Hellfire" and Israeli "Mapatz" missiles.

Third Generation Missiles:

"Fire and forget" missiles. These missiles are essentially independent from the moment of launch, or, once a missile "lock" has been established.

In addition to the above-mentioned missiles, there are advanced variants which are optically guided via a camera that broadcasts images of the target from the perspective of the missile, thereby enabling the soldier to direct the missile with pinpoint accuracy.

The "Gil" Missile

The "Gil" is a personal, third generation, "fire and forget, missile. The "Gil" is able to receive data subsequent to its launch, and is capable of switching targets while in flight.

The "Gil" is one of the most advanced missiles in the world, and was developed by the Rafael arms industry in cooperation with the IDF during the 1990's.

The advent of the "Gil" revolutionized the Israeli arms industry, as the IDF had previously relied on the "Orev" and "Gavnoni" anti-tank missiles. Currently, the IDF bases its anti-tank capabilities primarily on the "Gil" type anti-tank missiles.

Advantages of the Gil Missile

1) Versatility: The missile can be adapted to naval, aerial, and land platforms.

2) Range: Range of 4km.

3) The warhead seeker: The warhead seeker is electro-optical (TV) and enables tracking as well as pinpoint target acquisition. In addition, the "Gil's" fiber-optic communcations system allows for the collection of vital intelligence gathering, the ability to seek hidden targets, and prevents firing against targets which have been previously destroyed.

4) All weather capability: The missile operates in all weather conditions and in nocturnal scenarios. The ability of the "Gil" to operate in the above-mentioned conditions represents a signifcant technological advance.

5) Tandem (double) warhead: The tandem double warhead allows for increased penetration, especially against reactive armor, and enables the second warhead to penetrate the target.

6) Fire and forget capability: Automatic target guidance.

7) Fire and optic capabilities: This includes the ability to update target information and to switch between targets during a flight.

8) Vertical assault trajectory.

9) Fiber optic communication.

10) Lightweight: Each infantry soldier can carry up to two missiles on his back.




The "Gil" is a specialized missile designed to deal with all threats on the battlefield, including MBT's (main-line battletanks) and helicopters. The launching system was designed to give the soldiers employing it a high degree of survivability.

Technical Details

*Weight: 13.3kg

*Length: 115 centimeters

*Barrel diameter: 110 millimeters

*Impact zone: 400-4000 meters.

The integration of the "Gil"missile into IDF infantry and anti-tank units significantly improves their capabilities against enemy armor and helicopters.

The replacement of the "Givoni" missile will help provide quick responses to specific quality targets on the battlefield.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; Israel; News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: antitank; gil; idf; israel; missile
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To: 68skylark
If they can use a 30 lb missle to accomplish the same thing as a 60 lb TOW then the developers are really smart people -- or they've found a way to bend the laws of physics.

It was designed by Jews. :-)

21 posted on 05/09/2003 12:45:01 PM PDT by xm177e2 (Stalinists, Maoists, Ba'athists, Pacifists: Why are they always on the same side?)
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To: 68skylark
If they can use a 30 lb missle to accomplish the same thing as a 60 lb TOW

Here:

8) Vertical assault trajectory.

Spike goes smack down on top of the tank, where the armor is thin. Somewhat like that thing from Bofors. Of course, one may try to ticken the top. There's ways around that too :).

22 posted on 05/09/2003 1:23:35 PM PDT by Cachelot (~ In waters near you ~)
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To: yonif
Given the release of the "Gil," Syria releases it's latest version of the BMP:
23 posted on 05/09/2003 1:39:05 PM PDT by NFOShekky (Old Geezer in Training)
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To: Cachelot
New U.S. Javelin AT missile is a "top attack" missile as well. It's shoulder fired and lightweight just like the Gil. The Israelis make great stuff and I'd fight terrorists along side them any day. God bless the USA and Israel!
24 posted on 05/09/2003 5:43:39 PM PDT by BlueOneGolf (3rd Infantry Division. "Rock of the Marne!")
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