NLAW ATGM, like any other weapon, has its pros and cons, as well as its purpose – we analyze everything in detail

In a few days, the Armed Forces of Ukraine was significantly strengthened by NLAW anti-tank systems. It is estimated that there are thousands of weapons that Britain delivered to Ukraine and organized a real airlift with the help of Boeing C-17A Globemaster III aircraft.

Defense Express decided to “spread” the NLAW anti-RPG missiles on the shelves, because each weapon has its pros and cons, as well as its purpose.

NLAW’s Purpose

During the creation of the NLAW ATGM (also known as MBT LAW and RB-57), the Swedish Saab Bofors Dynamics immediately revealed several key features of the complex.

First, it should be easy to use and as effective as possible, especially against tanks and other armored vehicles made in Russia. At Saab, without any explanation, the Russian T-90 is cited as a typical target for its ATGM, and official publications say that NLAW is an effective solution against the background of “geopolitical instability in Europe”.

In other words, the opportunities and weaknesses of Russian tanks, as well as the real conditions of modern “high-intensity” warfare – that is, full-scale hostilities – were taken into account.

The requirements of the NLAW blueprint are: small size and weight, single use, minimizing the time from target detection to destruction, a “hit and forget” principle, and a passive routing algorithm that prevents laser sensors from detecting a threat.

In addition to tanks, the Swedish ATGM can be used against all other armored and conventional equipment, fortifications and enemy helicopters.

The developer’s range is the lowest among ATGMs, according to Saab, in the range of 20 meters, the maximum – up to 600-800 meters. The second digit is directly related to missile guidance means.

It is worth noting that the NLAW is actually the last element of the anti-tank defense of infantry units and, like any other weapon, is part of the overall system. In fact, it begins to work on the battlefield after the use of long-range vehicles that already require professional operators.

Because one of the main advantages of NLAW is its accessibility. It is explained that the fighter needs about an hour of training to master this ATGM.

How does NLAW work?

The NLAW developer deliberately abandoned the thermal homing head. Such heads, firstly, increase the cost of ATGMs, and secondly, a large number of false thermal signatures, including open flames, are found on the modern military battlefield.

Saab used a rather interesting “projected line of sight” mod, PLOS. NLAW does not have laser rangefinders or other laser systems. The shooter must aim at the crosshairs of the sight and accompany the target for 3-5 seconds. The start electronics calculate the trajectory, range and angular velocity – after that it is possible to start.

This algorithm works even when the target is not completely visible, for example only the tank turret or even its antenna. That is, it is important to accompany the target only at the intersection.

After launch, the missile moves along a certain trajectory due to the system of excessive inertia, so that it is about 1-2 meters above the target, that is, at a height of 3-4 meters, given the height of armored vehicles. ground without bending the land.

Activation of the cumulative warhead is due to a magnetic sensor that detects the presence of a significant metal object under the missile. A similar system is successfully used in the American ATGM BGM-71 TOW-2.

The warhead explodes above the tank and strikes the tank from above. NLAW armor penetration is declared within about 500 mm, which is many times higher than the armor of the upper hemisphere of tanks.

Saab has also developed an algorithm when there are other metal objects in the missile’s flight path that will be detected by a magnetic sensor and can cause a miss. This is stated directly on the manufacturer’s website.

“For example, a tank is lined up 50 meters away and the main target is 150 meters away. You just need to change the ‘range by target’ scale by 100 metres. The rocket will fly over the first object that has already been destroyed and then start searching for a target.

“Projected line of sight” mode – In addition to PLOS, NLAW has a “direct launch” mode – Direct Strike to destroy light targets such as cars, trucks and helicopters. It is also used to hit targets behind cover, but due to the nature of the warhead it is necessary to hit the shield or window.

NLAW pros and cons

In addition to its ease of use, the undoubted advantage of the NLAW is its weight and size, as Saab and UK highlight. It is 12.5 kg and 1 meter long. This allows him to carry and shoot a soldier over the shoulder.

Also, the launcher is disposable, in the normal version after the shot it is possible to remove only the sight – optical, but it can also be a thermal imager, which is much more valuable. Combined with the “hit and forget” principle, this does not oblige the fighter to carry an empty launcher as in the Javelin example.

At the same time, the simple guidance system and dimensions imposed restrictions on the range of use of the NLAW up to 600-800 meters, thanks to which it was possible to keep the target clearly at the intersection. Although the missile itself, according to various sources, is able to cover up to a kilometer.

At the same time, the actual distance of the battle, which is usually practiced by the same Swedish army – 400-600 meters. And the result of the shot will depend on the skill of the operator while holding the target.

However, NLAW should not be directly compared to other ATGMs such as Javelin or Stugna or Corsair. Because these complexes were originally designed for anti-tank units. In contrast, NLAW is still closer to the RPG-7, but extremely “intelligent”, that is, it may be available for a regular branch.

Also, the abandonment of the thermal imaging head has led to another fairly obvious “plus” of NLAW. The on/off cycles as well as the total run time of NLAW are limited only by the battery. Also, the Javelin thermal GOS is cooled with argon on the launcher prior to launch and must be replaced after each activation. By the way, “according to the passport” is enough for four minutes, during which one shot should be fired.

The Javelin also has a minimum throw distance of 150 meters due to the “glide” that makes the rocket in flight. Such a sharp increase in altitude necessitates the need to find a launch point on the missile’s flight path free of power transmission and other similar obstacles.

There is no such restriction for an inclined NLAW orbit. However, before launching, make sure that the target does not hit obstacles higher than 4-5 meters, such as trees or buildings. Although, considering the flight time of the rocket, even 3 seconds at 600 meters is not a big deal. By the way, the NLAW missile flies only 200 seconds at 200 meters, which in the “direct launch” mode actually allows you to make no mistakes.

It should also be noted that the Swedish ATGM is adapted for launch from installations – the missile has a “soft start”. The angles of inclination of the starting point are also determined separately – +/- 45 degrees, which allows “work” even from the upper floors of buildings.

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