The Fate of TOW Missile Wires: Exploring Their Role and Impact

Understanding TOW Missile Wires in Combat

The TOW (Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided) missile is a well-known and widely used precision-guided missile system. Throughout its trajectory, the TOW missile relies on a unique and crucial system: its wire guidance system. This article provides an in-depth look at what happens to the wires during and after a TOW missile launch.

Launch and Deployment

When a TOW missile is launched, it begins its journey from its tube-fired launcher. A crucial aspect of this launch is the deployment of a wire that connects the missile to the launcher. This wire, typically stored on a spool within the launcher, is flushed out as the missile accelerates and leaves the tube. The deployed wire serves as a link between the operator and the missile, providing essential real-time data for the missile's guidance system.

Guidance and Real-time Control

Once the missile is in motion, the operator plays a critical role in controlling its trajectory. The sighting system used by the operator provides a visual target on the missile's flight path. Through this sighting system, the operator can send guidance commands via the wire. These commands allow for the real-time adjustment of the missile's course, ensuring that it hits the intended target accurately.

Descent and Recovery

Upon impact with the target or the fulfillment of its mission, the TOW missile and its wire attachment remain interconnected. In military operations, however, recovery of the missile is not always feasible or desired. The wire usually remains in place as the missile is destroyed or loses its guidance capability. Understanding the wire's role in this stage is crucial for ensuring that the missile's target is accurately hit.

In contrast, during training exercises, the wires are often recovered as part of the cleanup process. Local populations might also collect and reuse these wires, reflecting the value and practicality of their metal content.

Natural Disintegration and Environmental Factors

After the mission is complete, the wires can be vulnerable to damage or severing due to environmental factors, obstacles, or the force of the missile's impact. Once severed, the missile loses its guidance, rendering it ineffective. The wires are made of copper, making them valuable. In areas where combat has ceased, such as parts of Europe and North Africa, metal scavenging activities have been prevalent, especially among local populations.

Evolution of Missile Technology

The significance of TOW missile wires diminishes as modern, "fire and forget" missile systems and more advanced guidance systems are developed. These newer systems rely on alternative guidance methods, such as infrared or GPS, reducing the need for wire-based guidance. As these technologies become more prevalent, the TOW missile system, with its wire-guided nature, is gradually becoming obsolete.

In conclusion, TOW missile wires play a vital role in the precision-guidance of a missile, ensuring real-time control during its flight. Post-launch, they serve as a critical link until the missile reaches its target or becomes inoperable. The metal content of these wires makes them a valuable commodity, leading to various recovery activities, particularly in post-conflict areas. As technology advances, the importance of wire-guided systems like TOW is waning, paving the way for more sophisticated guidance methods.