U.S. Army Leverages Upgraded TOW Anti-Tank Missile in Precision Combat Roles

The TOW anti-tank missile remains a central capability in the U.S. Army’s precision strike arsenal. Whether operated from tripods, light vehicles, or embedded within armored platforms such as the Stryker and Bradley, the missile continues to provide heavy anti-armor, anti-fortification, and anti-amphibious landing capabilities. The weapon’s reliability and adaptability, including recent wireless upgrades, reinforce its status as a cornerstone of ground combat lethality well into the mid-century.

TOW Missile Legacy and Ongoing Service

Evolution of a Combat-Proven System

Introduced in 1970, the BGM-71 TOW (“Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided”) missile replaced earlier systems like SS.10 and ENTAC, delivering significantly greater range and enhanced warhead performance thanks to its advanced SACLOS guidance system. Today, the system continues to underpin U.S. and allied anti-armor capabilities globally.

Broad Deployment and Longevity

The TOW platform has seen extensive deployment: over 700,000 units produced, across more than 15,000 ground, vehicle, and helicopter platforms, and adopted by over 40 allied nations. With recent upgrades, the TOW system is projected to remain in service beyond 2050.

Upgrades and Modernization: TOW 2B and Wireless Guidance

Transition to Wireless Guidance

Emerging from its original wire-guided format, the TOW missile has been upgraded with radio-frequency (RF) and microwave wireless guidance, notably in the TOW 2B variant. The operator merely maintains sight alignment while the missile is steered automatically via a one-way data link.

Production Orders Reflect Sustained Demand

In early 2025, RTX Raytheon secured a substantial $322.5 million contract to manufacture TOW 2B missiles for the U.S. Army, bolstering the wireless-guided inventory. Earlier, production contracts for FY2023–2024 emphasized continued investment in the system.

Integration & Operational Platforms

Versatile Launch Platforms

TOW missiles are deployable from a wide range of platforms—from ground tripods to vehicle mounts on ITAS, Stryker ATGM vehicles, and Bradley Fighting Vehicles—ensuring flexible deployment across combat scenarios.

Stryker ATGM Vehicle Capabilities

The M1134 ATGM vehicle, a Stryker variant, serves as a mobile anti-tank platform firing TOW missiles at ranges up to 4 km. Its deployment strengthens brigade-level anti-armor overwatch and precision engagement lines.

Strategic Outlook and Context

Modern Relevance Amid Army Restructuring

Despite its longstanding service, the TOW missile faces potential procurement halts amid budget reallocation efforts. As part of the Army Transformation Initiative, officials are reviewing cuts—including the possibility of ending TOW missile buys to redirect funding toward emerging priorities like electronic warfare and counter-UAS systems.

Resilience and Adaptability

Still, the TOW’s upgraded capabilities, multi-role flexibility, and entrenchment in allied militaries suggest its continued relevance—especially as a cost-effective, proven solution in layered ground defense. Its capacity to counter armored threats, urban fortifications, and amphibious targets lends it strategic depth even as newer systems emerge.

FAQs