TRADOC Bulletin 2: Soviet ATGMs: Capabilities and Countermeasures
Abstract
This bulletin is designed to discuss the Soviet antitank guided missile and to propose tactics and techniques that can be used to degrade its effectiveness. Before being able to counter a system, we must first know it. To this end, the SWATTER and SAGGER antitank guided missile systems are discussed in detail, by showing how they are employed, how they operate, how effective they are, how they are integrated into an offense or defense on the battlefield, and what strength and weaknesses they have. The countermeasures proposed are based on the combat results of Israeli techniques and a study of U.S. tactics vis-a-vis Soviet doctrine. Data in this bulletin is from Defense Intelligence Agency sources and from various official reports on the Yom Kippur War. Technical data on the SAGGER missile is derived from exploitation tests conducted by the U.S. Army Missile Command at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama and, therefore, represents the system's capabilities under ideal conditions. Foreign sources state that under the normal stress of combat and faced by countermeasures, the SAGGER system's effectiveness is considerably reduced. Nonetheless, the system is capable of performing as shown, and technical improvements in SAGGER and other Soviet ATGMs are probable.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1975
- Accession Number
- ADA392786
Entities
Organizations
- United States Army Training and Doctrine Command