MILAN Anti-Tank Light Infantry Missile

MILAN Anti-Tank Light Infantry Missile is a European anti-tank guided missile. Design of the MILAN started in 1962. It was ready for trials in 1971, and was accepted for service in 1972. It is a wire guided SACLOS (Semi-Automatic Command to Line-Of-Sight) missile, which means the sight of the launch unit has to be aimed at the target to guide the missile. The MILAN can be equipped with a MIRA thermal sight, to give it night-firing ability.

MILAN is a French and German missile that has been license-built by Italy, Spain, Britain and India. As it is guided by wire by an operator, this missile can avoid most countermeasures (flares and chaffs). The drawbacks are its short range, the exposure of the operator, and that it requires a skilled and well-trained operator.

Milan ATGM Variants

• MILAN: Single, Main Shaped Charge Warhead (1972)
• MILAN 2: Single, Main Shaped Charge Warhead, with standoff probe to increase penetration (1984) - see above photo to right
• MILAN 2T: Single main Shaped Charge, with smaller shape charge warhead at end of standoff probe to defeat reactive armor (1993)
• MILAN 3: Tandem, Shaped Charge Warheads (1996)
• MILAN ER: Extended Range

The later MILAN models have tandem HEAT warheads. This was done to keep pace with developments in Soviet Armour technology. Soviet tanks began to appear with explosive reactive armor, which could defeat earlier ATGMs. The smaller precursor HEAT warhead penetrates and detonates the ERA tiles, paving the way for the main HEAT warhead to penetrate the armor behind.

MILAN
Type	Anti-tank missile
Place of origin	France / West Germany
Service history
In service	1972–present
Production history
Designed	1970s
Manufacturer	MBDA
Produced	1972
Number built	350,000 missiles, 10,000 launchers
Specifications
Weight	7.1 kg
Length	1.2 m
Diameter	0.125 m
Warhead	tandem HEAT
Detonation mechanism	contact
Engine	solid-fuel rocket
Wingspan	0.26 m
Operational range	400–2000 m
Flight ceiling	-
Speed	200 m/s
Guidance system	SACLOS wire
Steering system	Thrust Vector
Launch platform	Individual, Vehicle

9K115-2 Metis-M Russian ATGM

The 9K115-2 Metis-M is a Russian anti-tank missile system. "9K115-2" is the GRAU designation of the missile. Its NATO reporting name is AT-13 Saxhorn-2.

The system is designed to augment the combat power of company-level motorized units.

The 9K115-2 Metis-M system adds to the usual positive qualities of a grenade launcher with sharp improvements in range, accuracy and lethality. Owing to the small dimensions and light weight of its components, this manportable system can be carried by its crew in compact packs over any distance and over a wide variety of terrain types—including stream crossing. The three-man crew carries personal weapons and an ammunition load of five missiles. One crew member carries a pack with a missile-loaded launcher, which considerably reduces the time of fire preparation and allows the crew to engage targets whilst moving. In the event of sudden appearance of a target, the operator can fire from the shoulder with the launcher rested against a local object. Two other crew members carry packs with two missiles each.

Features

• changes from the traveling to the firing position—and vice versa—in 15 – 20 seconds;
• firing rate of 3 - 4 rounds per minute;
• fired from organized and deployed sites in the prone and standing foxhole positions as well as from combat vehicles;
• can be shipped by any type of transport and can be air-dropped.

The Metis-M system comprises:

• combat assets;
• maintenance facilities;
• training aids.

The combat assets of the Metis-M system include:

• 9M131 (9M131F) ATGM;
• 9P151 launcher;
• 1PBN86-VI thermal sight.

Guidance

The Metis-M ATGM system has a semi-automatic guidance system, with commands transmitted over a wire link. The guidance system is constructed so that the most sophisticated and costly components, such as a gyroscopic coordinator, electronic units and an onboard battery, are excluded from the missile.

Combat history

According to accounts by Israeli military, weapons seized from Hezbollah and journalists accounts from Lebanon, the Metis-M was used successfully by Hezbollah fighters during the 2006 Lebanon war against Merkava tanks. Russia released a press statement disputing the claim that it had been supplying modern anti-tank weapons to Hezbollah; the Israelis' original claim, however, was in fact that Russian weapons which were sold to Syria which in turn smuggled the weapons to Hezbollah. Israel has sent a team of officials to Moscow to show the Russians the evidence of what they say can only be Syrian weapons transfers. To date, Russia has not commented on the weapon proliferation, although it has moved to tighten control over the use of Russian-made weapons by the importing states.

Metis-M
Type	anti-tank missile
Place of origin	Russia
Service history
In service	1992
Production history
Manufacturer	KBP Instrument Design Bureau
Specifications
Weight	13.8 kg
Length	980 mm
Diameter	130 mm
Warhead	HEAT tandem warhead, Armor penetration behind ERA 950 mm. Thermobaric anti-personnel/anti-material warhead is also available.
Engine	solid-fuel rocket
Operational range	0.08 - 2 km
Speed	200 m/s
Guidance system	SACLOS wire

RBS 56 BILL - Swedish ATGM

The RBS 56 BILL is a Swedish manportable SACLOS anti-tank missile developed by AB Bofors. Development began in 1979 and entered production in 1985. BILL stands for (Bofors, Infantry, Light and Lethal). By 1996 15,000 missiles had been produced and supplied to the Swedish and Austrian armies. Between 1996 and 1997 Brazil received a number of missiles. In the late 1990s production shifted to the Bill 2. The Swedish army received the first deliveries of the BILL 2 in 1999.

A man portable BILL system consists of a missile in a sealed launch tube, tripod, day sight and thermal night-vision sight. The missile's shaped charge warhead is aimed downwards at an angle of 30 degrees and is triggered by a proximity fuze as the missile passes over the intended target.

The top attack warhead allows the missile to strike the thinner top armour of tanks. To enable this to work effectively the missile flies 0.75 meters above the line of sight between the launcher and the target. A secondary effect of this is to enable the missile to be used to engage targets largely behind cover, for example a hull down tank.

When launched the missile is propelled from the launch tube at around 72 meters per second by a gas generator at the rear of the launch tube. Once the missile is clear of the launch tube the sustainer motor engages and accelerates the missile to a speed of 250 meters per second. Once the missile is about 400 meters from the launcher, the sustainer motor cuts out and the missile continues in free flight.

The missile is steered in flight by coded commands trasmitted from the launcher by a laser mounted on the launcher using a SACLOS system.

RBS 56 BILL
Type	SACLOS Anti-tank missile
Place of origin	Sweden
Service history
In service	1985-
Used by	Sweden, Austria, Lithuania, Brazil
Production history
Manufacturer	Bofors
Produced	1985 - lte 1990s
Number built	15,000 +
Specifications
Weight	36 kg (launcher)
Length	900 mm
Diameter	150 mm
Muzzle velocity	250 m/s
Effective range	150 to 2,200 m

Spike - Israel ATGM

Spike is a fourth generation man-portable fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile with tandem-charged HEAT warhead, developed and designed by the Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and in service with a number of nations.

As well as engaging and destroying targets within the line-of-sight of the launcher ("fire-and-forget"), some variants of the missile are capable of making a top-attack profile through a "fire, observe and update" guidance method; the operator tracking the target, or switching to another target, optically through the trailing fiber-optic wire while the missile is climbing to altitude after launch. This is similar to the lofted trajectory flight profile of the US FGM-148 Javelin.

Spike ATGM Design

Spike is a fire-and-forget missile with lock-on before launch and automatic self-guidance. The missile is equipped with an imaging infrared seeker.

The medium, long and extended range versions of the Spike also have the capability of "Fire, Observe and Update" operating mode. The missile is connected by a fiber-optical wire that is spooled out between the launch position and the missile. With this the operator can obtain a target if it is not in the line of sight of the operator at launch, switch targets in flight, or compensate for the movement of the target if the missile is not tracking the target for some reason. Hence, the missile can be fired speculatively for a target of opportunity, or for to give an observation on the other side of an obstacle. The missile has a soft launch capability - the motor firing after the missile has left the launcher- which allows for the missile to be fired from confined spaces, which is a necessity in urban warfare.

The Spike missile uses a tandem warhead - two shaped charges, a precursor warhead to detonate any explosive reactive armor and a primary warhead to penetrate the underlying armor. Currently, it is replacing aging second generation anti-tank missiles like the MILAN and M47 Dragon in the armies of the user nations.

The Spike system is made up of the launching tripod with its fire control unit and the missile. There is no dedicated thermal sight on the launcher - the missile's imaging seeker is used. Altogether, the long range variant of the system weighs around 26 kilograms (57 lb)

Spike can be operated from the launcher by infantry, or from mounts that can be fitted to vehicles such as fast attack vehicles, armored personnel carriers or utility vehicles. Vehicles that are not normally fitted with anti-tank weapons can therefore be given anti-tank capability.

Spike has been tested as a weapon system for the SAGEM Sperwer unmanned aerial vehicle. The Spanish Army has fitted the Spike-ER to its Eurocopter Tiger attack helicopters.

Spike Missile Variants

Spike-SR

the short range version of the weapon, minimum range is 200 m (660 ft) while the maximum range is 800 m (2,600 ft) and is intended for infantry use. The reusable Command & launch unit (CLU), battery, tripod and the thermal sight are also used by other land-based versions (with the exception of Spike NLOS) of the Spike missile family, each weighing 5 kg (11 lb 0 oz), 1 kg (2 lb 3 oz), 2.8 kg (6 lb 3 oz), and 4 kg (8 lb 13 oz) respectively.

Spike-MR

the medium range version. The weight of the missile is 14 kg (30 lb 14 oz), minimum range is 200 m (660 ft) while the maximum range is 2,500 m (8,200 ft) and is used by infantry and special forces.

Spike-LR

long range version. The weight of the missile is 14 kg (30 lb 14 oz), maximum range is 4,000 m (13,000 ft) and is used by infantry and light combat vehicles. It adds fiber-optic communication to and from the launching soldier during flight. Reported armour penetration capability is more than 700 mm (28 in) of Rolled homogeneous armour (RHA).

Spike-ER

extended range or extra long range version of the weapon. It was formerly also known as the NT-Dandy or NT-D. It has a maximum range of 8,000 m (26,000 ft). It has a larger diameter and is heavier than the other systems, and is usually vehicle mounted. It is used by infantry, LCVs, and helicopters. The Finnish Navy's Coastal Jaegers also operates the version in the anti-ship role. The weight of the missile is 34 kg (74 lb 15 oz), the launchers are 30 kg (66 lb 2 oz) and 55 kg (121 lb 4 oz) respectively for the vehicle and air-launched versions. Penetration is around 1,000 mm (39 in) of RHA.

Spike NLOS

"Non Line Of Sight" is an ultra long range version of the weapon with a claimed maximum range of up to 25 km (16 mi). As a newer, larger missile with an overall weight of around 70 kg (154 lb 5 oz), it can be fired from helicopters. The Spike NLOS is already operational with a military customer, which is most likely to be Israel Defense Forces although there are also reports that the South Korean Army might be operating the system.

Spike
Type	Anti-tank missile
Place of origin	Israel
Service history
In service	1997 - Present
Used by	Azerbaijan, LR Chile, Total 900 missiles. Colombia, ER. Croatia, Croatian Army Ecuador, Total 244 missiles, delivery starting October 2009.[18] Finland, Total 700 missiles, 100 MR (PstOhj 2000) launchers plus an option for 70 more, and 18 ER (Rannikko-ohjus 2006) launchers for coastal anti-ship use. France, Spike is a contender along with Javelin. Germany, 311 LR launchers on Puma vehicles. Israel, MR (Gil), LR (Gomed), ER (Dandy) and NLOS (Tammuz) missiles with associated launchers. Italy, Total 1,065 missiles. The Italian Army has ordered: 65 Infantry Launchers, 36 LR launchers for the Freccia IFV, 20 LR launchers for the Dardo IFV, 26 indoor and 37 outdoor training systems. The Italian Navy has ordered 6 Infantry Launchers, 2 indoor and 2 outdoor training systems. In total about 1000 missiles in 4 variants; SR, MR, LR and ER are to be procured. The initial contract is worth 120 million Euros. Singapore Airshow 2008, a locally developed twin-tube launcher for the Spike as mounted on a Spider Light Strike Vehicle of the Singapore Army. Netherlands, Total 2,400 missiles, 297 MR launchers. Peru, Total 244 missiles, 24 LR launchers ordered in 2009. Poland, Total 2,675 missiles, 264 LR launchers. Some will be on KTO Rosomak and Anders vehicles. Romania, Total 1,750 missiles, 1000 ER launchers on IAR 330 SOCAT attack helicopters and 750 LR launchers on MLI-84M IFVs. Republic of Korea, Unknown number ordered for defense of Korean islands south of the Northern Limit Line Singapore, Total 1,000 missiles, Spike LR. Slovenia, Total 75 missiles, Spike MR and LR. Some will be on Patria AMVs. Spain, Total 2,600 missiles. 236 Spike LR launchers (option for 100 more), 2,360 missiles for Spanish army, 24 Spike LR launchers/240 missiles for Spanish marines. Spike ER on Eurocopter Tiger attack helicopters (Spanish army). Turkey, LR launchers on Otokar Cobra vehicles.
Wars	Second Intifada, 2006 Lebanon War, War in Afghanistan (2001–present), Gaza War
Production history
Designed	1987
Manufacturer	Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Diehl BGT Defence (Now part of Rheinmetall Defence Electronics)
Produced	1997 - Present
Specifications
Weight	Spike-ER from helicopter: • Missile in canister: 34 kg (74 lb 15 oz) • Launcher: 55 kg (121 lb 4 oz) • Launcher + 4 missiles: 187 kg (412 lb 4 oz) Spike-MR/LR from ground: • Missile round: 14 kg (30 lb 14 oz) • Command & launch unit (CLU): 5 kg (11 lb 0 oz) • Tripod: 2.8 kg (6 lb 3 oz) • Battery: 1 kg (2 lb 3 oz) • Thermal sight: 4 kg (8 lb 13 oz)
Length	1,670 mm (5 ft 6 in) (Missile w/launcher)
Diameter	170 mm (6.7 in) (Missile w/launcher)
Rate of fire	Ready to launch in 30 seconds, reload in 15 seconds
Maximum range	800 to 25,000 m (2,600 to 82,000 ft) depending on version
Sights	10× optical sight
Warhead	Tandem-charge HEAT warhead
Detonation mechanism	Impact
Engine	Solid-fuel rocket
Guidance system	Infrared homing - Electro Optical (CCD, IR or Dual CCD/IIR), Passive CCD or dual CCD/IIR seeker

9M133 Kornet Russian ATGM

The 9M133 Kornet is a Russian anti-tank missile (ATGM). It is a second generation ATGM intended to deal with main battle tanks and to engage slow and low flying helicopters, but is not intended to fully replace previous systems, due to the cost. The missile carries the GRAU designation 9M133 and the NATO reporting name AT-14 Spriggan.

The Kornet Anti Tank Missile system is an advanced second-generation ATGM.

The 9M133 missile together with its 9P163-1 tripod launcher and 1PN79-1 thermal sight forms the 9K123 missile system, the 9K123 can be carried and operated by a two-person infantry crew. In addition to an infantary portable version the 9K133 the system has been integrated into a variety of other vehicles and weapons systems as either an upgrade package or new weapon system. The 9K133 has been fitted into a BMP-3 to form the 9P163M-1 tank destroyer and is similar in function to the Khrizantema missile system. The 9P163M-1 carries two 9M133 missiles on launch rails which are extended from a stowed position during transit. Missile are re-loaded automatically by the tank destroyer from an internal magazine with 16 rounds (missiles are stored and transported in sealed canisters). NBC protection is provided for the two crew (gunner and driver) of each 9P163M-1 in addition to full armour protection equivalent to the standard BMP-3 chassist. The guidance system of the 9P163M-1 allows two missiles to be fired at once, the missiles operating on different guidance (laser) channels.

The KBP Instrument Design Bureau has also marketed the 9K133 system as part of the Kvartet for mounting on vehicles and boats, the system has four missiles on ready to launch rails along with associated guidance and sighting system all packaged in a single turret. The turret has space for an additional five rounds and is operated by a single individual, the guidance system also allows two missiles to be fired at once. Another upgrade possibility is the Kliver missile and gun turret, seen as an upgrade option for the BTR series of APC, BMP-1 IFV and patrol boats. It has a similar capabilities as the Kvartet turret but also carries a 30 mm 2A72 cannon, the turret weight is 1500 kg. Finally the 9M133 is also available in the BEREZHOK turret upgrade also made available by KBP.

Variants

• 9M133-1 - 9M133 missile with Tandem HEAT warhead.
• 9M133F-1 - 9M133 missile with Thermobaric warhead.

9M133 Kornet
Type	Anti-tank missile
Place of origin	Russia
Service history
In service	1994-present
Used by	Algeria - 218, Azerbaijan - 60, Morocco, Greece - 196, Hezbollah India - 250 Kornet-E, Jordan, Syria, UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Russia - 750, Turkey - 80, Peru
Production history
Designer	KBP Instrument Design Bureau
Manufacturer	KBP Instrument Design Bureau
Variants	9M123, 9M123-2, 9M123F, 9M123F-2
Specifications (9M133)
Weight	27 kg (29 kg with launch tube)
Length	1200 mm
Diameter	152 mm
Warhead	1000-1200 mm RHA penetration after ERA with Tandem HEAT, Thermobaric
Warhead weight	7 kg HEAT, 10 kg TNT equivalent Thermobaric
Detonation mechanism	Impact fuze
Wingspan	460 mm
Propellant	Solid-fuel rocket
Operational range	100-5500m
Guidance system	SACLOS laser beam riding
Steering system	Two control surfaces
Accuracy	<5 m

BGM-71 TOW, US Surface to Surface Missile

The BGM-71 TOW is an anti-tank guided missile. "BGM" is a weapon classification that stands for "Multiple Environment (B), Surface-Attack (G), Missile (M)". "TOW" is an acronym that stands for "Tube-launched, Optically-tracked, Wire command data link, guided missile". The TOW was first produced in 1970 and is one of the two most widely used anti-tank guided missiles in the world.

BGM-71 TOW
Type	Anti-tank Missile
Place of origin	United States
Service history
In service	1970–present
Used by	See users
Production history
Designer	Hughes Aircraft Company
Designed	1963–1968
Specifications
Length	1.16–1.17 m (probe folded) 1.41–1.51 m (probe extended)
Diameter	0.152 m
Warhead weight	3.9–5.9 kg
Wingspan	0.46 m
Operational range	up to 3,750 m
Guidance system	Optically-tracked, wire-guided

FGM-148 Javelin, US Surface to Surface Missile

The FGM-148 Javelin is a United States-made man-portable third generation anti-tank guided missile fielded to replace the Dragon antitank missile.

FGM-148 Javelin
Type	Anti-tank guided missile launcher
Place of origin	United States
Service history
In service	1996–present
Used by	See Users
Wars	Operation Enduring Freedom (2001–present) Operation Iraqi Freedom / Operation New Dawn (2003–present)
Production history
Designer	Texas Instruments and Martin Marietta (now Raytheon and Lockheed Martin)
Designed	June 1989
Manufacturer	Raytheon and Lockheed Martin
Unit cost	$40,000 (£20,000) (missile); $125,000 (reusable Command Launch Unit)
Produced	1996–present
Specifications
Weight	Missile: 11.8 kg (26 lb) CLU: 6.4 kg (14.1 lb)
Length	Missile: 1.1 m (43 in) Launch tube: 1.2 m (47 in)
Diameter	Missile: 127 mm (5.0 in) Launch tube: 142 mm (5.6 in)
Crew	2
Effective range	75 to 2500 m
Warhead	Tandem shaped charge HEAT
Warhead weight	8.4 kg (18.5 lb)
Detonation mechanism	Impact force
Engine	Solid fuel rocket
Guidance system	Imaging infrared (IIR)

Missile

Warhead

The Javelin missile’s tandem warhead is a HEAT type. This round utilizes an explosive shaped charge to create a stream of superplastically deformed metal formed from trumpet-shaped metallic liners. The result is a narrow high velocity particle stream that can penetrate armor.

The Javelin counters the advent of ERA. ERA boxes or tiles lie over a vehicle’s main armor and explode when struck by a warhead. This explosion does not harm the vehicle’s main armor, but causes steel panels to fly across the path of the HEAT round’s particle steam, so that the warhead expends its most potent energy cutting through the panels, rather than through the main armor. The Javelin uses two shaped-charge warheads in tandem. The smaller diameter HEAT precursor charge sets off the ERA and clears it from the path of the much larger diameter HEAT warhead, which then penetrates the target’s primary armor.

A two-layered molybdenum liner is used for the precursor and a copper liner for the main warhead.

To protect the main charge from the explosive blast, shock, and debris caused by the impact of the missile's nose and the detonation of the precursor charge, a blast shield is used between the main and precursor charge. This was the first composite material blast shield and the first that had a hole through the middle to provide a jet that is less spread out.

A newer main charge liner produces a higher velocity jet. While making the warhead smaller, this change makes it more effective leaving more room for propellant for the main rocket motor, thus increase the missile's range.

Electronic arming and fusing, called Electronic Safe Arming and Fire (ESAF), is used. The ESAF system enables the firing and arming process to proceed, while imposing a series of safety checks on the missile. ESAF cues the launch motor after the trigger is pulled. When the missile reaches a key acceleration point (indicating that it has cleared the launch tube), the ESAF initiates a second arming signal to fire the flight motor. After another check on missile conditions (target lock check), ESAF initiates final arming to enable the warheads for detonation upon target impact. When the missile strikes the target, ESAF enables the tandem warhead function (provide appropriate time between the detonation of the precursor charge and the detonation of the main charge).

Propulsion

Most rocket launchers require a large clear area behind the gunner to prevent injury from backblast. To address this shortcoming without increasing recoil to an unacceptable level, the Javelin system uses a soft launch mechanism. A launch motor using conventional rocket propellant ejects the missile from the launcher, but stops burning before the missile clears the tube. The flight motor is ignited only after a delay to allow for sufficient clearance from the operator. To save weight, the two motors are integrated with a burst disc between them; it is designed to tolerate the pressure of the launch motor from one side, but to easily rupture from the other when the flight motor ignites. Both motors use a common nozzle, with the flight motor's exhaust flowing through the expended launch motor. Because the launch motor casing remains in place, an unusual annular (ring-shaped) igniter is used to start it; a normal igniter would be blown out the back of the missile when the flight motor ignited and could injure the operator.

In the event that the launch motor malfunctions and the launch tube is overpressurized—for example, if the rocket gets stuck—the Javelin missile includes a pressure release system to prevent the launcher from exploding. The launch motor is held in place by a set of shear pins, which fracture if the pressure rises too high and allow the motor to be pushed out the back of the tube.

Seeker

As a fire-and-forget missile, after launch the missile has to be able to track and destroy its target without the gunner. This is done by coupling an onboard imaging IR system (different from CLU imaging system) with an onboard tracking system.

The gunner uses the CLU’s IR system to find and identify the target then switches to the missile’s independent IR system to set a track box around the target and establish a lock. The gunner places brackets around the image for locking.

The seeker stays focused on the target’s image continuing to track it as the target moves or the missile’s flight path alters or as attack angles change. The seeker has three main components: focal plane array (FPA), cooling and calibration and stabilization.

Focal plane array (FPA)

The seeker assembly is encased in a dome which is transparent to long-wave infrared radiation. The IR radiation passes through the dome and then through lenses that focus the energy. The IR energy is reflected by mirrors on to the FPA. The seeker is a two-dimensional staring FPA of 64x64 MerCad (HgCdTe) detector elements. The FPA processes the signals from the detectors and relays a signal to the missile’s tracker.

The staring array is a photo-capacitive device where the incident photons stimulate electrons and are stored in the detector as an accumulated charge. The electrons are discharged, pixel by pixel, as currents to a readout integrated circuits attached at the rear of the detector.

Cooling/Calibration

The FPA must be cooled and calibrated. The CLU’s IR detectors are cooled using a Dewar flask and a closed-cycle Stirling engine. But there is insufficient space in the missile for a similar solution. So, prior to launch, a cooler mounted on the outside of the launch tube activates the electrical systems in the missile and supplies cold gas from a Joule-Thompson expander to the missile detector assembly while the missile is still in the launch tube. When the missile is fired this external connection is broken and coolant gas is supplied internally by an onboard argon gas bottle. The gas is held in a small bottle at high pressure and contains enough coolant for the duration of the flight of approximately 19 seconds.

The seeker is calibrated using a chopper wheel. This device is a fan of 6 blades: 5 black blades with very low IR emissivity and one semi-reflective blade. These blades spin in front of the seeker optics in a synchronized fashion such that the FPA is continually provided with points of reference in addition to viewing the scene. These reference points allow the FPA to reduce noise introduced by response variations in the detector elements.

Stabilization

The platform on which the seeker is mounted must be stabilized with respect to the motion of the missile body and the seeker must be moved to stay aligned with the target. The stabilization system must cope with rapid acceleration, up/down and lateral movements. This is done by a gimbal system, accelerometers, spinning-mass gyros (or MEMS), and motors to drive changes in position of the platform. The system is basically an autopilot. Information from the gyros is fed to the guidance electronics which drive a torque motor attached to the seeker platform to keep the seeker aligned with the target. The wires that connect the seeker with the rest of the missile have no friction to keep the seeker platform balanced.

Tracker

The tracker is key to guidance/control for an eventual hit. The signals from each of the 4,096 detector elements in the seeker are passed to the FPA readout integrated circuits which reads then creates a video frame that is sent to the tracker system for processing. By comparing the individual frames the tracker determines the need to correct so as to keep the missile on target. The tracker must be able to determine which portion of the image represents the target. The target is initially defined by the gunner who places a configurable frame around it. The tracker then uses algorithms to compare that region of the frame based on image, geometric, and movement data to the new image frames being sent from the seeker, similar to pattern recognition algorithms. At the end of each frame the reference is updated. The tracker is able to keep track of the target even though the seeker’s point of view can change radically in the course of flight.

To guide the missile the tracker locates the target in the current frame and compares this position with the aim point. If this position is off center the tracker computes a correction and passes it to the guidance system which makes the appropriate adjustments to the four movable tail fins, as well as six fixed wings at mid-body. This is an autopilot. To guide the missile the system has sensors that check that the fins are positioned as requested. If not, the deviation is sent back to the controller for further adjustment. This is a closed-loop controller.

There are three stages in the flight managed by the tracker: 1) an initial phase just after launch; 2) a mid-flight phase that lasts for most of the flight; and 3) a terminal phase in which the tracker selects the sweet spot for the point of impact. With guidance algorithms, the autopilot uses data from the seeker and tracker to determine when to transition the missile from one phase of flight to another. Depending on whether the missile is in top attack or direct attack mode, the profile of the flight can change significantly. The top attack mode requires the missile to climb sharply after launch and cruise at high altitude then dive on the top of the target (curveball). In direct attack mode (fastball), the missile cruises at a lower altitude directly at target. The exact flight path which takes into account the range to the target is calculated by the guidance unit.

Launch Tube Assembly

Both men carry a disposable tube called the Launch Tube Assembly which houses the missile and protects the missile from harsh environments. The tube also has built in electronics and a locking hinge system that makes attachment and detachment of the missile to and from the Command Launch Unit a very quick and simple process.

Command Launch Unit

The gunner carries a reusable Command Launch Unit (in addition to the Launch Tube Assembly) more commonly referred to as a CLU (pronounced "clue"). The CLU is the targeting component of the two part system. The CLU has three views which are used to find, target, and fire the missile. The CLU may also be used separately from the missile as a portable thermal sight. Infantry are no longer required to stay in constant contact with armored personnel carriers and tanks with thermal sights. This makes the troops more flexible and able to perceive threats they would not otherwise be able to detect. In 2006 a contract was awarded to Toyon Research Corporation to begin development of an upgrade to the CLU enabling the transmission of target image and GPS location data to other units.

Day Field of View

The first view is a 4× magnification day view. It is mainly used to scan areas for light during night operation because light is not visible in the thermal views. It is also used to scan during times following the sunrise and sunset when the thermal image is hard to focus due to the natural rapid heating and/or cooling of the Earth.

WFOV (Wide Field of View)

The second view is the 4x magnification night view, and shows the gunner a thermal representation of the area viewed. This is also the primary view used due to its ability to detect infrared radiation and find both troops and vehicles otherwise too well hidden to detect. The screen shows a "green scale" view which can be adjusted in both contrast and brightness. The inside of the CLU is cooled by a small refrigeration unit attached to the sight. This greatly increases the sensitivity of the thermal imaging capability since the temperature inside the sight is much lower than that of the objects it detects. Due to the sensitivity this causes, the gunner is able to "focus" the CLU to show a very detailed image of the area being viewed by showing temperature differences of only a few degrees. The gunner operates this view with the use of two hand stations similar to the control stick found in modern cockpits. It is from this view that the gunner focuses the image and determines the area that gives the best heat signature on which to lock the missile.

NFOV (Narrow Field of View)

The third field of view is a 9x thermal sight used to better identify the target vehicle. Once the CLU has been focused in WFOV, the gunner may switch to NFOV for target recognition before activating Seeker FOV.

Seeker Field of View

Once the best target area is chosen the gunner presses one of the two triggers and automatically is sent to the fourth view. The Seeker FOV is a 9x magnification thermal view. This process is similar to the automatic zoom feature on most modern cameras. This view is also available along with the previously mentioned views, all of which may be accessed with press of a button. It is not as popular however, because a high magnification view takes longer to scan a wide area. This view allows the gunner to further aim the missile and set the guidance system housed inside the actual missile. During this view is when information is passed from the CLU, through the connection electronics of the Launch Tube Assembly, and into the missile's guidance system. If the gunner feels uncomfortable with firing the missile, he can still cycle back to the other views without having to fire the missile. When the gunner is comfortable with the target picture he pulls the second trigger and establishes a "lock”. The missile launches after a short hesitation.