What is a tow missile?

What is a Tow Missile?

A tow missile, also known as a guided missile or surface-to-air missile (SAM), is a type of military weapon designed to engage and destroy enemy aircraft, missiles, and other aerial targets. The term "tow" refers to the fact that these missiles are guided by a towed target, which is a long, thin cable that is trailed behind the aircraft that is carrying the missile. This type of missile is used to provide air defense against airborne threats, such as fighter jets, bombers, and cruise missiles.

History of Tow Missiles

The concept of guided missiles dates back to the early 20th century, but the development of tow missiles began in the 1950s and 1960s. The first tow missile, the FIM-43 Redeye, was developed by the United States in the late 1950s and was used during the Vietnam War. Since then, many countries have developed their own tow missiles, including the Soviet Union, China, and Europe.

How Tow Missiles Work

Tow missiles are designed to be launched from a ground-based platform, such as a truck or a ship, and are guided by a combination of radar and infrared sensors. The missile is powered by a rocket engine and can reach speeds of up to Mach 3 (around 2,200 mph). Once launched, the missile follows the towed target, which is usually a thin cable that is trailed behind the aircraft carrying the missile.

Types of Tow Missiles

There are several types of tow missiles, including:

• Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs): These missiles are designed to engage airborne targets, such as fighter jets and bombers.
• Anti-Air Missiles (AAMs): These missiles are designed to engage aerial targets, such as drones and cruise missiles.
• Surface-to-Ship Missiles (SSMs): These missiles are designed to engage naval targets, such as ships and submarines.

Some of the most common types of tow missiles include:

• AIM-7 Sparrow: A US-made air-to-air missile used by the US military.
• AIM-9 Sidewinder: A US-made air-to-air missile used by the US military.
• SA-7 Grail: A Soviet-made surface-to-air missile used by the Soviet Union and other countries.
• Stinger: A US-made surface-to-air missile used by the US military and other countries.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Tow Missiles

Tow missiles have several advantages, including:

• High accuracy: Tow missiles are designed to be highly accurate, with a high success rate in engaging and destroying target aircraft.
• Long range: Tow missiles can engage targets at long ranges, making them effective against aerial threats.
• Multi-role capability: Some tow missiles have multi-role capability, meaning they can engage multiple types of targets.

However, tow missiles also have several disadvantages, including:

• Limited altitude: Tow missiles are designed to engage targets at relatively low altitudes, making them less effective against high-flying aircraft.
• Vulnerability to electronic warfare: Tow missiles can be vulnerable to electronic warfare, which can disrupt their guidance systems and reduce their effectiveness.
• High cost: Tow missiles are expensive to develop and maintain, making them a significant financial burden for countries that use them.

Conclusion

Tow missiles are an important part of modern air defense systems, providing a way to engage and destroy airborne threats. While they have several advantages, including high accuracy and long range, they also have several disadvantages, including limited altitude and vulnerability to electronic warfare. As technology continues to evolve, tow missiles will likely play an important role in future air defense systems.

Table: Comparison of Tow Missiles

References

• "Tow Missile". Wikipedia. Retrieved 2022-02-15.
• "Tow Missiles". Military-Tech.net. Retrieved 2022-02-15.
• "The Evolution of Surface-to-Air Missiles". Aviation Week. Retrieved 2022-02-15.