R2RS1%AKRONVM@vm1.cc.UAKRON.EDU (Suku) (06/14/91)
From: Suku <R2RS1%AKRONVM@vm1.cc.UAKRON.EDU> I just finished reading Larry Bond's "Red Phoenix", in which US and S Korean forces face a N Korean offensive across the DMZ. Bond's description of the anti-tank battles centers around "Dragon" anti-tank missile teams. Is this for real? (all his other stuff is). I thought the TOW was the main anti-tank missile for the grunt. Could anybody throw some light on the Dragon ? I also happen to have read about the TOW and other anti-tank missiles being 3rd generation systems, what would a 4th generation ATM be ? Thanks in advance, good book by the way, must read if you have'nt. -- R SUKUMAR R2RS1@VM1.CC.UAKRON.EDU THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON DEPT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
kozowski@ohsu.EDU (Eric Kozowski) (06/15/91)
From: kozowski@ohsu.EDU (Eric Kozowski) The dragon is for real. The dragon is a "man portable" anti-armor weapon. Performs not quite as well as the TOW and a lot worse than the TOW II. The TOW(and TOWII) are heavy 120+ lbs. The Dragon is similar to the TOW (wire guided, etc.). -- Eric Kozowski kozowski@ohsu.edu Networks & Computing Dept. Oregon Health Sciences University
cmort@ncoast.org (Christopher Morton) (06/17/91)
From: cmort@ncoast.org (Christopher Morton) R2RS1%AKRONVM@vm1.cc.UAKRON.EDU (Suku): > I just finished reading Larry Bond's "Red Phoenix", in which US and S > Korean forces face a N Korean offensive across the DMZ. Bond's > description of the anti-tank battles centers around "Dragon" anti-tank > missile teams. The Dragon is the missle found at company level and below, especially in M113 equipped units. It has a much shorter range than the TOW and is a LOT harder to hit with. In fact in the early '80s a study was done that showed that it was VERY difficult to hit anything with it... and once you did, it might not kill it. In Korea, the short range wouldn't be that much of a handicap, since the terrain, often makes long shots impossible. Of course, the Dragon's tendency to hit the ground after launch is a slight drawback in that sort of country.... :) I was in the 2nd Infantry Div. (1/31Inf) in '80-'81, and I found the book rather innacurate, especially in terms of geography. I recall a reference to "Tongducheon, near Seoul" or some such. Kind of like Chicago near Milwaukee, or Elizabethtown, near Ft. Knox.... :) -- Christopher Morton {uunet|backbone}!ncoast.org!cmort cmort@ncoast.org "Well whose opinions did you THINK these were...?"