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At a glance
BGM-71 TOWlarger figure on 2 of 2
HJ-8larger 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 | HJ-8 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Anti-tank missile[source] | Anti-tank missile[source] |
| Place of origin | United States[source] | China[source] |
| In service | 1970–present[source] | 1985–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 source1,566 mm[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 source250 kg[source]
Operational; Basic TOW most variants
Single sourceOperational; Operational range
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
Effective; Effective firing range
Single source0.1–4 km[source]
penetration 430–900 mm RHA
Single source3.9–6.14 kg (penetration 430–900 mm RHA )[source]
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] | Yugoslav Wars Sri Lankan Civil War Sudanese conflict in South Kordofan and Blue Nile Syrian Civil War War in Iraq (2013-17) India–Pakistan border skirmishes War in Sudan (2023–present) Gaza war[source] |
|---|
| Designer | Hughes Aircraft Company[source] | Research Institute 203[source] |
|---|
| Designed | 1963–1968[source] | 1970–1984[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 guidance[source] |
|---|
| Manufacturer | RTX[source] | NORINCO (Factory 282, Factory 5618) GIDS (Pakistan)[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 | — | 1984–present[source] |
|---|
| Variants | — | see variants[source] |
|---|
| Warhead | — | HEAT[source] |
|---|
| Engine | — | Solid-fuel rocket[source] |
|---|
| Launch platform | — | Tripod, vehicle, aircraft[source] |
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| Reported operators |
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