With This Missile, Humvees Can Destroy Any Modern Tank - BGM-71 TOW

173rd Infantry Brigade Combat shooting the powerful anti-tank weapons missile BGM-71 TOW against target during training exercise. The BGM-71 TOW (Tube-launched, Optically-tracked, Wire-guided) is an antitank guided missile designed for the United States and entered service in early 1970. It was then replaced by the TOW 2 which is more powerful (+2 kg of explosive charge than the previous version). Originally developed by Hughes Aircraft in 1963 and 1968, the XBGM-71A was intended for terrestrial applications and helicopter. In 1968 a production start contract was won by Hughes. The BGM-71 series replaced the recoilless gun M40 106 mm and the missile system Entac then in service. The missile also replaced the Nord SS.11 then in service as an anti-tank weapon helicopter. It is used for the first time in combat in May 1972 during the Vietnam War. Humvee, transcription of HMMWV (High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle) is an all-terrain vehicle. The military HMMWV available in many different versions, from field ambulance for investigating vehicle. There can be fitted with various weapons systems on it, such as the M2 machine gun, TOW anti-tank missile or MG3 machine gun. There are various degrees of armor, the first versions were under-armored, but the Iraq war has led to versions with heavier armor to protect against roadside bombs and RPG.