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M47 Dragon


Superdragon


Overview


Dragon

Dragon launcher in the field.
Source: www.fas.org - © copyright lies with original owner

Origin
United States
Type
Man portable anti-tank missile
Entered service
1975 for Dragon
1988 for Dragon II
1991 for Superdragon
Status
Obsolete
Development
1966 - Early 1970's
Developer
United States - McDonnell Douglas
Production
1973 - 2000's (USA)
Producer
United States - McDonnell Douglas
Iran - AMIG (unlicenced copies)
Unit cost
About $ 6.000 in the late 1970's
Number produced
Over 250.000 missiles in total
Designations
FGM-77 (early designation)
Saeghe (Iranian copies)
Notable users
United States
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


Facts Dragon launcher Dragon Dragon II Superdragon
General
Origin
United States
Type
Man portable anti-tank missile system
Crew
1 operator, 1 ammunition bearer
Lifespan
Reusable sight unit
Disposable rocket launch tube
Dimensions
Weight
14.6 kg loaded with day sight
21.3 kg loaded with night sight
Caliber
140 mm
Tube length
1.154 mm
Width
292 mm
Ammunition
Missile types
Dragon, Dragon II, Superdragon
Rate of fire
1 to 2 rpm
Guidance
Method
Wire guidance
Guidance mode
SACLOS
Accessories
Day sight
Su-36/P, 6x magnification, 6° field of view
Night sight
AN/TAS-5, 4x magnification, 3.4x6.8° field of view
Bipod
Yes

Media


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.