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MILAN



Overview


MILAN on Marder

German army MILAN system fitted on Marder mechanized infantry fighting vehicle.
Source: Unknown author - © Copyright lies with original owner

Origin
France
Germany
Type
Man portable anti-tank missile
Entered service
1972 for Milan 1
1984 for Milan 2
Status
In service
Development
1963 - 1971
Developer
Germany - MBB
France
Production
1972 - present
Producer
France - Euromissile, now MBDA
India - Bharat Dynamics
United Kingdom - BAe Dynamics
Unit cost
GBP 7.500 per missile in 1984
Number produced
About 350.000 missiles
About 10.000 launch posts
Designations
MILAN / Missile d'Infanterie Léger ANtichar
French for llight infantry anti-tank missile”
Notable users
France
Germany
United Kingdom
India

Description


Introduction

The MILAN is a late Cold War era man portable anti-tank missile of French / German origin. It was developed to provide infantry with an accurate anti-tank weapon capable of engaging Soviet tanks at distances anticipated in the European theater. At the same time the French/German HOT missile was developed as a vehicle mounted long range counterpart to the MILAN.

Design

The MILAN is a tube launched wire guided anti-tank missile. The launch post is reusable and is fitted with a sight unit. The MILAN uses SACLOS guidance, meaning that the operator keeps the crosshair on the target and the launch post adjusts the missile's flight path automatically. The MILAN missile uses a solid propellant rocket motor. The HEAT warhead is located in the nose of the missile.

Firepower

The MILAN is a medium range anti-tank missile with a maximum range of 2 km. There is a dead zone of about 200 meters from the launch post. Time of flight to maximum range is about 12.5 seconds. The MILAN 1 had a single HEAT warhead with armor penetration of about 350 mm RHA. In the MILAN 2 this was increased to over 550 mm RHA. The MILAN 2T introduced a tandem HEAT warhead for use against tanks fitted with ERA, the improved standoff range increased armor penetration to over 800 mm RHA.

Portability

The MILAN is a highly portable system. A single operator may carry the launch post, its lightweight tripod and a single missile. The assistant usually carries two extra missiles. Often MILAN teams used small 4x4 vehicles to remain undetected on the battlefield.

Vehicle mounts

Mechanized infantry often mounted their MILAN launchers on their vehicles, such as the French VAB or German Fuchs. Some vehicles, such as the German Marder, were fitted with a MILAN launcher as secondary weapon. In most cases a tripod is carried to allow the MILAN to be used away from the vehicle when required.

Users

The MILAN was adopted in large quantities during the Cold War by Germany, France and the United Kingdom. Many systems have been exported, with over 40 countries adopting the MILAN. The MILAN remains in widespread use and is still in production. Various nations have replaced the MILAN with newer and more capable anti-tank missile systems.

Variants


MILAN 1 missile

MILAN 1 missile in flight configuration with its four wings in extended position. Note the bulbous nose of the MILAN 1 missile without standoff probe.
Source: Rama - © GNU Attribution - Share Alike license

MILAN 1
First variant of the MILAN to be produced. Introduced in 1972.
MILAN 2
Improved version of the MILAN. Larger diameter warhead and standoff probe for increased penetration. Introduced in 1984.
MILAN 2T
Tandem warhead version of the MILAN 2. Features a small precursor charge in the standoff probe, making the missile far more effective against vehicles equipped with ERA. Introduced in 1993.
MILAN 3
MILAN 2T with improved guidance method using an electronic beacon for missile tracking versus earlier infrared lamp on missile. Adopted by France in 1995.

Details


Facts MILAN 1 MILAN 2 MILAN 2T
General
Origin
France / Germany
Type
Anti-tank guided missile
Dimensions
Weight
6.3 kg in flight
Diameter
0.12 m
Wingspan
0.26 m
Length
0.75 m
Guidance
Method
Wire guidance
Operating mode
SACLOS
Warhead
Type
Single HEAT warhead
Diameter
103 mm
Weight
1.2 kg octol
Penetration
350 mm RHA
Propulsion
Engine
Solid propellant rocket motor
Small booster used upon launch
Range
2.0 km maximum
200 m minimum
Max speed
200 m/s
Time of flight
12.5 s to max range

Media


Related articles


9K111 Fagot

The Soviet 9K111 Fagot (NATO: AT-4 Spigot) is the Soviet counterpart of the MILAN. It has a similar range, operating mechanism and performance.

HOT

The Euromissile HOT was developed as the longer range and more capable counterpart to the MILAN. The HOT is not used by infantry, but used by dedicated tank destroyer vehicles and helicopters.