Here is a little information for nostalgic purposes.

 TOW2 WEAPON SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

The TOW2 Weapon System is a crew portable, heavy assault, antitank missile system designed to defeat armored vehicles, field fortifications and other material targets. The TOW2 system consists of a guided missile and a launcher designed to function interactively for effective performance. The components of the launcher are the Launch Tube, Traversing Unit, Optical Sight Sensor, Night Vision Sight, Digital Missile Guidance Set, two Battery Assemblies (one spare) and a Tripod.

The Night Vision Sight meets the need for thermal imaging device that is simple in design and operation. The Night Vision Sight provides soldiers with the capability to operate in degraded battlefield condition of darkness, smoke, haze camouflage, and foliage.

The missile is encased in a disposable launch container and is transported and stored in a wooden over-pack. At the organizational level (unit) the encased missile may be removed from the wooden over-pack for transport or storage in a tactical vehicle. No maintenance, test or repair is required for the missile. The TOW2 missile is considered a "wooden round" of expendable ammunition.

The weapon system will operate in all weather conditions in which the gunner can see a target throughout the missile flight using either the Optical Sight Sensor or Night Sight. The tracking and control capabilities of the weapon system provide a high first round hit probability against stationary and moving targets. System accuracy is achieved by the gunner keeping the cross hairs of the Optical Sight Sensor or Night Vision Sight centered on the image of the selected target. Any error (deviations between the gunner's line-of-sight to the target and the flight path of the missile) is detected by the Optical Sight Sensor or Night Vision Sight and processed in the Digital Missile Guidance Set. Signals are transmitted to the missile via the wire command link to correct the flight path and guide the missile to the target. The system operating temperature range is from -32 to +60 C (-25 to +140 F), and can operate at altitude up to 3,050 meter (10,000 feet).

Other important features of the TOW2 Weapon System are its mobility, simplicity, and ease of operation. The entire ground emplaced weapon system can be moved quickly to minimize detection or to engage targets that would not be within the range of a single emplacement. Vehicle-mounted TOW2 weapon systems provide a greater degree of mobility and can be quickly prepared for use. Replacement of major components is accomplished readily in the field without the use of tools.

The operational condition of the Launcher can be verified with the use of built-in self-test circuits (no external test equipment required). Major components (Optical Sight Sensor, Traversing Unit, and Night Vision Sight) which fail self test can be replaced at the operating site.

The missile can be fired from many types of platforms.
Click on each thumbnail to open the High-Resolution Image

The Ground Mount