TOW
Overview
Developed by Huges Aircraft during the mid 1960s as an extention of Redstone Arsenal's proposed future HAW system (Heavy Antitank Weapon), the BGM-71 TOW (Tube-launched, Optically-tracked, Wire command data link) ATGM entered service in 1970. The "BGM" designation [multiple launch environment (B) - surface attack (G) - guided missile (M)] indicates the system's inherent flexibility, as the TOW may be ground or aircraft mounted utilizing a wide variety of platforms. Compared to its contemporaries, the AT-3, AT-4, and MILAN, the TOW has a longer 3750m range, a similar 65m minimum range, heavier warhead, and comparatively quick reload times, but suffers from long flight times out to maximum range and a greater overall bulk that reduces mobility. The model used in Steel Beasts Professional encompasses M220A2 ground launcher capable of firing all TOW missile versions and equipped with the AN/TAS-4A thermal nightsight. Various vehicular adaptations are also modeled, although none carry the M41 TOW improved target acquisition system, and any minor differences in fire control between the versions is not simulated.
Despite being superseded in the areas of range, payload, and speed by later ATGM systems, a continuous program of development and upgrades has allowed the TOW to remain the most widely distributed ATGM system worldwide, with more than 500,000 units in service with the U.S. and 46 other nations.
Employment
| The observer position F8 displays a third-person view of the TOW team. |
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| Pressing N provides a magnified third-person view (and only if the Realism setting is Low or Medium (rev. 3.002)). |
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| F7 or F11 switches to the first-person view of the "Squad Leader"/gunner. Note that the thermal sight fills most of the "Squad Leader"/gunner's forward view. |
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| Pressing N will brings the Squad Leader's binoculars into action. This can not be used to engage targets. |
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| Pressing F2 accesses the weapon's day optics. The N toggles between the 3x wide field of view and the 13x narrow. From here the mouse or joystick may be used to aim, and the space bar/default trigger to fire, but the weapon will only fire while the narrow field of view is selected. As with other SACLOS guided weapons, all the gunner needs to do is keep the reticle centered on the target. |
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| Pressing (Num +) accesses the AN/TAS-4A thermal nightsight for day or night engagements, with a 4x wide field of view and a 14x narrow field of view provided. NVG views are available from the F7 Squad Leader's view under appropriate lighting conditions if the team is so equipped (rev. 2.640). Note that NVGs are useful for observation only, and have no effect on weapon sights. |
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| The wide-angle FOV features range estimation stadia lines - the two vertical lines (on each side of the 'big' vertical line) are 2.5mil apart and may be used to determine if a target is beyond the missile's range. Targets that appear smaller than what is indicated to the right are beyond 3500m and should not be engaged. |
