Encyclopaedic reference on anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) systems. Public doctrinal information only: role, nomenclature, guidance, variants, distribution. No operational, firing, lock-on, maintenance or modification instruction.
Role
Guided missile systems designed to defeat armoured targets at medium-to-long range (typically 500 m - 5 km, up to >10 km for heavy systems). Operated at squad level (shoulder systems such as Javelin/NLAW) or section/platoon (tripod-mounted such as Kornet/Stugna). Central to modern infantry anti-armour defence and to the Ukrainian war.
Guidance families
- Wire-guided SACLOS (Semi-Automatic Command to Line Of Sight): TOW, MILAN, Fagot, Konkurs — shooter keeps reticle on target, system corrects trajectory
- Laser-beam riding: Kornet, Stugna-P — missile flies along projected laser beam
- Fire-and-forget IR: Javelin (top-attack, imaging IR seeker in the missile)
- PLOS (Predicted Line of Sight): NLAW — ballistic computation at launch, no active guidance after
- Imaging Infrared / fibre-optic: Spike LR/MR/NLOS — man-in-the-loop or autonomous
Main systems
| System | Origin / Guidance | Era | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| FGM-148 Javelin | USA — fire-and-forget IR | 1996 | Top-attack o direct-attack, portata 75-4750 m (Block 1), CLU termico riusabile, tubo missile monouso. |
| NLAW (MBT-LAW) | UK/SWE — PLOS, soft-launch | 2009 | Sistema spalla, top-attack o direct-attack, 20-800 m, monouso, no firma backblast significativa. |
| Stugna-P (Skif) | UA — laser-beam riding | 2011 | Sistema ucraino, lanciatore separato dal posto di tiro (cavo), 100-5000 m, in dotazione UA. |
| 9K111 Fagot | URSS — SACLOS filo-guidato | 1970 | Anti-carro media portata, 70-2000 m, ampiamente diffuso in arsenali ex-URSS. |
| 9K113 Konkurs | URSS — SACLOS filo-guidato | 1974 | Versione migliorata del Fagot, 75-4000 m, anche su montaggio veicolare BMP/BRDM. |
| 9M133 Kornet | RUS — laser-beam riding | 1998 | Sistema anti-carro pesante, 100-5500 m (10000 m versione recente), tandem HEAT e termobarico. |
| Spike LR / MR / NLOS | ISR — fiber/IIR guided | 1981+ | Famiglia israeliana Rafael, fire-and-forget o uomo-nel-loop, 800 m (SR) — 32 km (NLOS). |
| TOW-2 | USA — SACLOS filo/wireless | 1970/1983 | Sistema pesante veicolare/postazione fissa, 65-3750 m. |
| MILAN | FRA/GER — SACLOS filo | 1972 | Sistema franco-tedesco media portata, 25-2000 m, in dotazione UA via aiuti. |
Top-attack vs direct-attack
Modern systems (Javelin, NLAW, Spike) attack the target from above, where tank armour is thinnest. Direct-attack engages frontal or side armour, where ERA, composite armour and active protection are most effective. Top-attack capability is the main advantage against modern T-72/T-80/T-90 tanks fitted with Kontakt-5/Relikt ERA.
Distribution in Ukraine
Ukraine has received since 2022 vast numbers of Javelin (USA, 10,000+ units), NLAW (UK/Sweden, 17,000+), MILAN, Spike, and produces Stugna-P domestically. Russian forces deploy Konkurs, Fagot, Kornet (including vehicle-mounted on BMP-3M/Tigr), Khrizantema. ATGMs were protagonists of the early phases of the conflict, blunting Russian mechanised columns. Their massive employment is one of the distinguishing traits of the war.
Advantages (doctrinal)
- Effective range far exceeding RPGs (5+ km vs <500 m practical)
- Very high hit probability on static/slow targets (>80%)
- Top-attack penetrates tank's thinnest armour
- Fire-and-forget systems allow shooter to disengage immediately after launch
- Tandem warheads defeat ERA
Limits (doctrinal)
- High unit cost (Javelin ~$200k+ per missile)
- Complex logistics, extensive operator training
- Vulnerable to countermeasures: APS (Trophy, Arena), electronic screening on laser-guided systems
- Long acquisition and lock-on time on IR systems (Javelin)
- Significant rear backblast (except NLAW soft-launch)
- APS-equipped targets can intercept the missile in flight
Manual limits
This entry is encyclopaedic. It does not describe lock-on procedures, target identification, top/direct-attack mode selection, CLU/launcher operator training, tactical handling or maintenance. Those skills require certified military anti-armour training.