The Evolution and Significance of Modern Anti-Tank Weapons
In recent times, the importance of anti-tank weapons has surged, primarily due to escalating global conflicts. Two systems have particularly garnered attention: the U.S. Javelin and the British-Swedish NLAW. Both are robust and reliable anti-tank solutions, but they serve different purposes and are not direct competitors.
The NLAW, contrary to some perceptions, is not merely a cheaper version of the Javelin. It has its own unique medium-range guidance system and comes at a fraction of the Javelin’s cost. When an operator targets an enemy tank with the NLAW, the system tracks the moving target for a few seconds, absorbing the operator’s movements. Upon firing, the NLAW uses this manual tracking data to predict the target’s future location, positioning its warhead directly above the armored vehicle. A proximity fuse then detonates the warhead, directing the blast towards the tank’s weakest part.
The Challenge of Modern Armored Vehicles
Modern armored vehicles, especially tanks, have evolved significantly. With advancements like 500 millimeter frontal armor, they have become resilient to most conventional anti-tank weapons. To incapacitate these tanks, a missile must strike the top, where the armor is thinnest. However, achieving this with an unguided system is challenging, especially against moving targets. The Javelin, with its state-of-the-art technology, allows operators to lock onto a target from a distance, fire, and then take cover. The missile adjusts its trajectory mid-flight to strike the tank from above, maximizing damage. But this sophistication comes at a price: a single Javelin unit can cost up to a quarter of a million dollars.
The Genesis of NLAW
The NLAW’s development began in the 1990s, spearheaded by the Swedish Armed Forces. Initially envisioned as a simple, cost-effective system, the project’s goals evolved based on strategic feedback. By 1999, the British military had joined the endeavor, setting specific objectives for the prototype, such as the ability to hit moving targets at 1300 feet. The rapid development culminated in the NLAW being chosen by both British and Swedish defense authorities in 2003. However, production only began in 2008 due to certain prototypes not meeting specific requirements.
NLAW’s Operation and Efficacy
Unlike some of its counterparts, the NLAW uses a single shaped charge warhead. Its projectile is independently propelled, allowing for longer range and consistent speed. While it doesn’t have an active guidance system like the Javelin, it calculates a moving tank’s future location based on the operator’s manual tracking. The missile then travels to that predicted location. This guidance system, though seemingly basic, is highly effective for medium-range attacks. The missile’s design also allows operators to select the distance at which it arms itself, adding another layer of precision.
However, the NLAW’s guidance can be deceived if the target suddenly changes direction or stops. But given the weapon’s speed and ‘fire and forget’ nature, tank crews have limited time to react, making such evasive maneuvers unlikely.
Cost-Effectiveness and Ideal Use
At approximately $25,000, the NLAW costs a tenth of the Javelin, making it a compelling option, especially in urban warfare where close and mid-range engagements prevail. Countries like the U.S. and Britain have started using both systems complementarily, leveraging each according to specific needs.
As conflicts, especially in Eastern Europe, intensify and resources become scarcer, the NLAW could play a pivotal role. While the Javelin serves as a premier defensive anti-tank system, the affordable and efficient NLAW might be the game-changer in prolonged battles.
