M47 Dragon
Superdragon
Overview
Dragon
Dragon launcher in the field.
Source: www.fas.org -
© copyright lies with original owner
1988 for Dragon II
1991 for Superdragon
Iran - AMIG (unlicenced copies)
Saeghe (Iranian copies)
Switzerland
Netherlands
Ireland
Description
Introduction
The Dragon is a late Cold War era anti-tank missile of US origin. It was developed by McDonnell Douglas in the late 1960's as a man portable short range guided anti-tank weapon. The Dragon remains in limited service, even though it is considered obsolete by todays standards.
Design
The Dragon is a man portable wire guided anti-tank missile. The Dragon missile is encased in a fiberglass tube that doubles as launch tube. A large styrofoam cover at each end protects the launch tube and missile. A simple bipod is attached to the launch tube or an adaptor for a tripod can be used. An optical day or night sight is used that doubles as a command unit for the SACLOS guidance. The sight unit is removed for future use when the missile is fired. The launch tube is discarded.
Firepower
All versions of the Dragon feature a HEAT warhead. The early version only penetrated 330mm RHA. The improved models will penetrate over 600mm RHA. The Dragon has a maximum range of 1 km and an a limited effective range against moving vehicles. The Superdragon has a maximum range of 1.5 km and much higher velocity.
Mobility
The Dragon is a highly portable system, often issued to airborne, motorized and mechanized infantry. Unlike many types of anti-tank guided missile the Dragon was never mounted to vehicles, mainly due to its limited range.
Users
The first and main user of the Dragon has been us the US Army and Marine Corps. Additionally it was exported to various nations, mostly in Europe. Several nations replaced the Dragon by newer designs such as Spike and Javelin. Unlicenced copies are produced in Iran as the Saeghe 1 and 2.
System composition
Dragon launcher
The Dragon missile is contained in a transport tube that doubles as the launch tube. The reusable sight unit is attached to the launch tube. The sight unit also includes the missile tracking system and fire control computer to enable the wire guidance. All types of Dragon missile can be controlled by this launcher.
The SU-36/P day sight has a 6x magnification. This may be augmented by attaching an AN/TAS-5 night sight for use at night or in smoke and foggy conditions.
Dragon missile
Dragon: First missile introduced in 1975. Penetrates 330mm RHA. Known in US military service as the M222.
Dragon II: Improved Dragon with more capable HEAT warhead penetrating over 600mm RHA. Introduced in 1988. Known in the USMC as the Mk 1 Mod 0.
Superdragon: Improved Dragon with new rocket motor doubling the flight speed and extending the range to 1.5 km. Also features a tandem HEAT warhead. Also known as Dragon II+. Introduced in 1991.
Details
Media
M47 Dragon
Dutch marine with M47 Dragon with inert training missile seen during a cold weather exercise in Norway in 1999.
Source: Ministerie van Defensie
Copyright: Public domain
M47 Dragon
US marine taking aim with M47 Dragon during an exercise in 1984.
Source: US Marine Corps
Copyright: Public domain
M47 Dragon
US marines taking aim with the M47 Dragon during an exercise in 1996.
Source: US Marine Corps
Copyright: Public domain
M47 Dragon
US marines firing a Dragon II missile during live fire training in 1994.
Source: US Marine Corps
Copyright: Public domain
Related articles
9K115 Metis
The 9K115 Metis (NATO: AT-7 Saxhorn) can be considered the Soviet counterpart to the M47 Dragon.
FGM-148 Javelin
In US military service the FGM-148 Javelin replaced the Dragon as the standard issue man portable anti-tank missile. The Javelin has a more capable top attack warhead and increases survivability of the operator by being a fire and forget missile.
Spike
Various nations, such as Israel, the Netherlands and Spain, replaced the Dragon with the Israeli Spike anti-tank missile. This is a more capable fire and forget missile with tandem warhead.