France
Chieftain
United Kingdom
T62
Russia
T72
Russia
EE-11 Urutu
Brazil
Walid
Egypt
MOWAG Roland
Switzerland
M113A1
USA
Table H-1. Select armored vehicle types and countries of origin.
H-1
FM 3-22.34
a. The task of armored vehicle identification has become much more complex. The antiarmor crewman must now become familiar with a much wider variety of vehicles than before. He must also be well informed about what vehicles a potential enemy possesses. In the future, the antiarmor crewman will probably face armored vehicles produced in the U.S. as well as in other friendly nations. The trend of the U.S. to fight with a coalition means that, on future battlefields, both friendly and enemy forces may have identical equipment.
b. This manual is not a complete FM on vehicle identification. However, the antiarmor crewman should be readily familiar with a few of the most recently fielded vehicles and the particular problems and capabilities they present.
(1) British Main Battle Tank, Chieftain Mk 5 (Figure H-1).
• Date of introduction: 1967 original Chieftain
• Proliferation: At least six countries
• Automotive performance:
Engine type: 750-hp diesel
Cruising range: 400 to 500 km
• Speed:
Max road: 48 km/h
Max off-road: INA
Average cross country: 30 km/h
Max swim: INA
• Fording depths: 1.1 meters unprepared
• Main armament ammunition:
Caliber type name: 120-mm high L11A5
Rate of fire: 8 to 10 rounds per minute first minute; 6 sustained Maximum aimed range: 5,000 meters
Maximum effective range:
Day: 3,000 meters
Night: INA
Armor penetration: INA
Figure H-1. British main battle tank, Chieftain Mk 5.
H-2
FM 3-22.34
(2)
German Main Battle Tank, Leopard 2 (Figure H-2).
• Date of introduction: 1979
• Proliferation: At least seven countries
• Automotive performance:
Engine type: 750-hp diesel
Cruising range: 400 to 500 km
• Speed:
Max road: 48 km/h
Max off-road: INA
Average cross country: 30 km/h
Max swim: INA
• Fording depths: 1.1 meters unprepared
• Main armaments ammunition:
Caliber type, name: 120-mm APFSDS-T, DM43
Rate of fire: INA
Maximum aimed range: 3,500 meters
Day: INA
Night: INA
Armor penetration: 450 to 2,000 mm
Figure H-2. German main battle tank, Leopard 2.
(3)
Polish/Czechoslovakian Main Battle Tank, T-72M1 (Figure H-3, page H-4).
• Date of introduction: 1975
• Proliferation: At least seven countries
• Automotive performance:
Engine type: 780-hp diesel
Cruising range: 460 to 700 km with extra tanks
• Speed:
Max road: 60 km/h
Max off-road: 45 km/h
Average cross country: 35 km/h
Max swim: INA
• Fording depths: 1.2 meters unprepared; 5 meters with snorkel
H-3
FM 3-22.34
• Main armaments ammunition:
Caliber type, name: 125-mm APFSDS-T, BM-42M
Rate of fire: INA
Maximum aimed range: 2,000 to 3,000 meters
Day: 2,000 to 3,000 meters
Night: 850 to 1,300 meters
Armor penetration: 590 to 630 rounds per min at 2,000 meters
Figure H-3. Polish/Czechoslovakian main battle tank, T-72M1.
(4)
Russian Main Battle Tank, T-80U (Figure H-4).
• Date of introduction: 1987
• Proliferation: At least three countries
• Automotive performance:
Engine type: 1250-hp gas turbine (multi-fuel); diesel on T-80UD
Cruising range: 335 km; 600 km with extra tanks
• Speed:
Max road: 70 km/h
Max off-road: 48 km/h
Average cross country: 40 km/h
Max swim: INA
• Fording depths: 1.8 meters unprepared; 5 meters with snorkel; 12 meters with BROD-M system
• Main armaments ammunition:
Caliber type, name: 125-mm APFSDS-T, BM-42M
Rate of fire: INA
Maximum aimed range: 2,000 to 3,000 meters
Day: 2,000 to 3,000 meters
Night: 800 to 1,300 meters
Armor penetration: 560 to 630 mm at 2,000 meters
H-4
FM 3-22.34
Figure H-4. Russian main battle tank, T-80U.
(5)
Chinese Main Battle Tank, Type 85-IIM (Figure H-5).
• Date of introduction: 1991
• Proliferation: At least two countries
• Automotive performance:
Engine type: 750-hp diesel
Cruising range: 700 km; 900 km with external tanks
• Speed:
Max road: 57 km/h
Max off-road: 45 km/h
Average cross country: 35 km/h
Max swim: INA
• Fording depths: 1.4 meters unprepared; 2.4 meters with snorkel
• Main armaments ammunition:
Caliber type, name: 125-mm HEAT-MP, BK-29M
Rate of fire: INA
Maximum aimed range: 3,000 meters
Day: INA
Night: 850 to 1,300 meters
Armor penetration: 560 to 750 mm
Figure H-5. Chinese main battle tank, Type 85-IIM.
H-5
FM 3-22.34
H-2. THREAT RIFLE-PROPELLED GRENADES
The most prolific threat now is the hand-held RPG. The following are some of the RPGs that U.S. forces will encounter.
a.
Russian 40-mm Antitank Grenade Launcher, RPG-7V (Figure H-6).
• Date of introduction: 1962
• Proliferation: At least 40 countries
• Ammunition: PG-7V
Caliber: 85 mm
Type: Heat
Range:
Effective: 500 meters
Minimum: N/A
Moving: 300 meters
Armor penetration: 330 mm
Figure H-6. Russian 40-mm antitank grenade launcher, RPG-7V.
b.
Swedish 84-mm Recoilless Rifle, Carl Gustav M2 (Figure H-7).
• Date of introduction: INA
• Proliferation: At least 20 countries
• Ammunition: FFV 751
Type: Heat (tandem)
Range:
Effective: 500 meters
Minimum: N/A
Armor penetration: +500 mm
H-6
FM 3-22.34
Figure H-7. Swedish 84-mm recoilless rifle, Carl Gustav M2.
c.
German 60-mm Antitank Grenade Launcher, Panzerfaust-3 (Figure H-8).
• Date of introduction: 1990
• Proliferation: At least eight countries
• Ammunition: INA
Caliber: 110 mm
Type: Heat
Range:
Effective (moving): 300 meters
Effective (stationary): 500 meters
Armor penetration: 500 mm
Figure H-8. German 60-mm antitank grenade launcher, Panzerfaust-3.
d.
German 67-mm Disposable Antitank Grenade Launcher, Armbrust
(Figure H-9, page H-8).
• Date of introduction: INA
• Proliferation: At least seven countries
• Ammunition: INA
Type: Heat
Range:
Maximum: 1500 meters
Effective AT: 300 meters
H-7
FM 3-22.34
Figure H-9. German 67-mm disposable antitank grenade launcher, Armbrust.
e.
Russian 105-mm Antitank Grenade Launcher, RPG-29 (Figure H-10).
• Date of introduction: Late 1980s
• Proliferation: Former Soviet Union
• Ammunition: PG-29V
Caliber (warhead): 105 mm
Type: Heat (tandem)
Range:
Effective: 500 meters
Minimum: N/A
Armor penetration: +750 mm
Figure H-10. Russian 105-mm antitank grenade launcher, RPG-29.
H-3. ANTITANK GUIDED MISSILE LAUNCHER VEHICLES
Although there are unique ATGM launcher vehicles with unique ATGMs, most launcher vehicles are military and commercial vehicles adapted with pintel mounts for portable ground launchers, with ATGMs manually loaded and launched. The systems described in this paragraph are the more common threat systems or represent the spectrum of antitank systems that can threaten U.S, Army forces in the world today.
H-8
FM 3-22.34
a.
French ATGM Launcher Vehicle, AMX-10 HOT (Figure H-11).
• Date of introduction: INA
• Proliferation: At least one country
• Guidance system: SALCOS
• Command link: Wire
• Ammunition: ATGM
Name: HOT
Warhead type: shaped charge (HEAT)
Armor penetration: 800 mm
Minimum/maximum range: 75 to 4,000 meters
Name: HOT 2
Warhead type: tandem shaped charged (HEAT)
Armor penetration: 900 mm
Minimum/maximum range: 75 to 4,000 meters
Name HOT 2
Warhead type: tandem shaped charged (HEAT)
Armor penetration: 1,250 mm
Minimum/maximum range: 75 to 4,000 meters
• Probability of hit: INA
• Time of flight to max range: 17.3 seconds
Figure H-11. French ATGM launcher vehicle, AMX-10 HOT.
b.
Russian ATGM Launcher Vehicle, 9P148 (Figure H-12, page H-10).
• Date of introduction: 1977
• Proliferation: At least six countries
• Guidance system: SALCOS
• Command link: Wire
• Ammunition
• ATGM:
Name: AT-5/SPANDREL
Warhead type: shaped charge (HEAT)
Armor penetration: 650 mm
Minimum/maximum range: 75 to 4,000 meters
H-9
FM 3-22.34
• Probability of hit: 90 percent
• Time of flight to max range: 20 seconds
Figure H-12. Russian ATGM launcher vehicle, 9P148.
c.
Russian ATGM Launcher Vehicle, 9P149 (Figure H-13).
• Date of introduction: 1990
• Proliferation: At least nine countries
• Guidance system: SALCOS
• Command link: radio frequency
• Ammunition: ATGM
Name: AT-56a/SPIRAL
Warhead type: shaped charge (HEAT)
Armor penetration: 750 mm
Minimum/maximum range: 400 to 5,000 meters
• Probability of hit: 90 percent
• Time of flight to max range: 14.5 seconds
Figure H-13. Russian ATGM launcher vehicle, 9P149.
H-10
FM 3-22.34
H-4. ANTITANK GUIDED MISSILE LAUNCHER
As the levels of armor protection and the lethality of antitank weapons continue to rise, armor protection for many modern tanks has outpaced most AT weapons. However, ATGMs have been able to increase their range and warhead configurations to threaten even the heaviest tanks. Among notable trends in ATGMs is the worldwide proliferation and variety of man-portable and portable antitank ballistic missiles (ATBMs).
a.
French ATGM Launcher, Eryx (Figure H-14).
• Date of introduction: 1991
• Proliferation: At least five countries
• Guidance: SACLOS
• Command link: Wire
• Beacon type: infrared laser diode
• Ammunition:
Name: Eryx
Warhead type: tandem shaped charge (HEAT)
Armor penetration: 900 mm
Minimum/maximum range: 50 to 600 meters
• Probability of hit: 90 percent
• Time of flight to max range: 3.7 seconds
Figure H-14. French ATGM launcher, Eryx.
b.
Russian ATGM Launcher, AT-4/AT-5 (Figure H-15, page H-12).
• Date of introduction: 1973
• Proliferation: At least 25 countries
• Guidance: SACLOS
• Command link: Wire
• Beacon type: Incandescent infrared bulb
• Ammunition:
H-11
FM 3-22.34
Name: AT-5B/SPANDREL-B
Warhead type: tandem shaped charge (HEAT)
Armor penetration: 925 mm
Minimum/maximum range: 75 to 4,000 meters
Probability of hit: 90 percent
Time of flight to max range: 10 seconds
Name: AT-5B/SPANDREL
Warhead type: shaped charge (HEAT)
Armor penetration: 650 mm
Minimum/maximum range: 75 to 4,000 meters
Probability of hit: 90 percent
Time of flight to max range: 20 seconds
Name: AT-4/SPIGOT
Warhead type: shaped charge (HEAT)
Armor penetration: 480 mm
Minimum/maximum range: 70 to 4,200 meters
Time of flight to max range: 11 seconds
Figure H-15. Russian ATGM launcher, AT-4/AT-5.
c.
Russian ATGM Launcher, AT-3 (Figure H-16).
• Date of introduction: 1963
• Proliferation: At least 45 countries
• Guidance: MCLOS
• Command link: Wire
H-12
FM 3-22.34
• Beacon type: Incandescent infrared bulb (SACLOS)
• Ammunition:
Name: AT-3, 3a, 3b/SAGGER
Warhead type: tandem shaped charge (HEAT)
Armor penetration: 400 mm
Minimum/maximum range: 500 to 3,000 meters
Probability of hit: 70 percent
Time of flight to max range: 26 seconds
Figure H-16. Russian ATGM launcher, AT-3.
H-5. THREAT
INFANTRY
ARMOR COUNTERMEASURES
Historically, the deployment of thick belts of ATGMs has been the foundation of U.S.
antiarmor defense planning. Potential enemies have developed countermeasures to these antiarmor measures, which any enemy we may face may employ.
a.
Reconnaissance. A high priority for enemy reconnaissance elements is to locate our ATGM sites before their main body enters our engagement areas. Methods of reconnaissance can include aircraft, drones, signals intelligence, and conventional ground reconnaissance elements. Leaders must learn to emphasize careful camouflage and concealment and to conduct effective counterreconnaissance operations. Lessons learned at NTC show that the commander who loses the counterreconnaissance phase of the battle loses the battle. For enemy reconnaissance to be effective, their reconnaissance elements must spot our weapon systems and survive to report their location.
b.
Artillery. Once enemy reconnaissance elements have spotted our ATGM
positions, the weapon of choice to destroy them is artillery. Since ATGMs are a high-priority target for artillery, these positions will be subjected to intense indirect fire.
The TOW is not designed to withstand such barrages. The best way to survive is to remain undetected and to avoid terrain that is likely to attract heavy artillery fire.
Positions should be as well protected against artillery as possible. Move, if possible, when positions come under artillery fire.
c.
Helicopters. Attack helicopters routinely follow artillery preparation. Again, ATGMs are high-priority targets.
H-13
FM 3-22.34
d.
Direct Fire. Enemy forces will attempt to suppress or destroy friendly ATGM
systems with direct fire.
e.
Grenade Launcher. This weapon is very effective against a tripod- or HMMWV-mounted TOW, and is somewhat effective against lightly armored vehicles such as the Bradley.
f.
Lasers. Most armies use laser range finders and target designators. Many of these are quite powerful and can cause temporary or permanent damage to a gunner’s eyes when he is using direct-view magnifying optics. Some of these devices can even damage the sights themselves. Thermal sights are less vulnerable to lasers. Laser weapons, such as the PRC-produced ZM-87, or even frequency agile laser weapons may be encountered on the future battlefield. Many countries, such as China, Russia, and France, have extensive laser development and procurement programs.
g.
Battlefield Obscurants. The AN/TAS-4 series of thermal sights is able to penetrate many kinds of battlefield obscurants, but not all. Bispectral smoke and battlefield dust, among others, are largely opaque to thermal sights if they are thick enough. In addition, when using a basic or ITOW, the target may be seen, but the system is unable to guide the missile through the obscurants.
h.