France - HOT Anti-Tank Missile |
| Written by Marcia Malory | ||
|
The HOT anti-tank missile is the result of a collaboration between France and Germany HOT, which stands for Haut subsonique Optiquement Teleguide, is used by the armies of 16 countries. A versatile weapon, the HOT anti-tank missile can be mounted on a variety of platforms, such as helicopters and AFVs (armored fighting vehicles). The French and German armies deploy HOT missiles on anti-tank capable helicopters. Most helicopters will carry four HOT missiles but the Gazelle can carry eight. The missile comes in a pre-loaded launch tube. The missile itself weighs 50.71 pounds (23kg), while the missile and launch tube together weigh in at 70.55 pounds (32kg). and comes pre-loaded in its launch tube.
Another turret, the Mephisto, is retractable and enables the HOT missiles to be reloaded from within the vehicle. The HOT anti-tank missile is SACLOS guided and is believed to be capable of defeating most types of MBTs. The maximum range of the HOT anti-tank missile is 4702.5yards (4300m) when fired from a helicopter.
|
4 HOT launch tubes can be mounted on a special turret, the UTM800. When on this turret these launch tubes have a full 360 degree traverse for engaging their targets. The operator controls the turret remotely. The UTM800 turret can be mounted onto a vehicle which can carry ten more HOT missiles. The turret uses infrared for night operations.