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At a glance
BGM-71 TOWlarger figure on 2 of 2
Eryx (missile)larger figure on 0 of 2
Counts only measures both sources give with the same scope. A larger figure is not a better system.
Measured figures
with probe extended (some variants have no probe)
Single sourcewith probe folded
Single sourceConfiguration
| Specification | BGM-71 TOW | Eryx (missile) |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Anti-tank missile[source] | Anti-tank guided missile[source] |
| Place of origin | United States[source] | France[source] |
| In service | 1970–present[source] | 1994–present[source] |
| Used by | See Operators[source] | See Operators[source] |
1.16–1.17 m with probe folded 1.41–1.51 m with probe extended (some variants have no probe)[source]
Length
Single source0.905 m (2.97 ft)[source]
TOW 2B Aero · encased · Mass
Single sourceTOW 2B Aero · missile, unencased · Mass
Single sourceTOW Bunker Buster · missile · Mass
Single source49.8 pounds[source]TOW 2B Aero · missile, unencased
65 pounds[source]TOW 2B Aero · encased
45.2 pounds[source]TOW Bunker Buster · missile
Mass
Single sourcemissile and container; firing post
Single sourceOperational; Operational range
Single sourceOperational; Basic TOW most variants
Single sourceTOW 2B Aero · maximum range · Maximum range
Single sourceBasic TOW 3,000 m, most variants 3,750 m[source]
4,500 meters[source]TOW 2B Aero · maximum range
Operational; Operational range
Single source50–600 m[source]
penetration 430–900 mm RHA
Single source3.9–6.14 kg (penetration 430–900 mm RHA )[source]
Eryx · Calibre
Single source160 mm[source]Eryx
Bars compare reported quantities only. A larger figure does not make a system better; configurations and test conditions differ.
| Wars | Vietnam War Western Sahara War Third Indochina War Lebanese Civil War 1982 Lebanon War Soviet–Afghan War Iran–Iraq War Persian Gulf War War in Somalia Iraq War Syrian civil war War in Iraq (2013–2017) Russo-Ukrainian War Russian invasion of Ukraine Yemeni Civil War Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen 2016 India-Pakistan Border skirmishes Conflict in Najran, Jizan and Asir 2025 Cambodia‒Thailand conflict[source] | Yemeni Civil War (2015-present) Saudi-led intervention in Yemen[source] |
|---|
| Designer | Hughes Aircraft Company[source] | — |
|---|
| Designed | 1963–1968[source] | 1985–1992[source] |
|---|
| Unit cost | $93,640 (2B Aero), $54,956 (Bunker Buster) FY2021 £8,500 (1984)[source] | — |
|---|
| No. built | > 700,000[source] | — |
|---|
| Guidance system | Optically tracked, wire-guided ( wireless radio-guided in RF variants)[source] | SACLOS wire[source] |
|---|
| Manufacturer | RTX[source] | MBDA France, MKEK (under license)[source] |
|---|
| Launch platforms | High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV)-mounted Improved Target Acquisition System (ITAS), HMMWV-mounted M220A4 launcher (TOW 2), Stryker Anti-Tank Guided Missile Vehicles, and Bradley Fighting Vehicle Systems (A2/A2ODS/A2OIF/A3)[source]TOW family · named platforms Marine HMMWV-mounted M220A4 launcher (TOW 2), LAV-ATGM Vehicle, and AH1W Cobra attack helicopter[source]TOW family · Marine platforms | — |
|---|
| Produced | — | From 1993[source] |
|---|
| Warhead | — | 137 mm diameter 3.6 kg tandem HEAT (penetrating 900 mm RHA behind reactive armour , or 2.5 m through concrete )[source] |
|---|
| Launch platform | — | Man-portable Vehicle-launched[source] |
|---|
| Reported operators |
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|---|
13.0 kg missile and container; firing post 4.5 kg[source]