Reloading ATGMs

[Mad Russian]

For those of you that have dealt with ATGMs, how long does it take to reload one after they fire?

Good Hunting.

MR

[MikeAP]

Depends on the ATGM type and platform.

In real life my guys can do it fairly quickly, but we're kind of different, given our unique platform

[IronMikeGolf]

MR, the training standard for loading the TOW on a Bradley is 4 minutes. That minimum acceptable performance. I'd use 2.5 minutes for a well trained crew.

Keep in mind, while reloading missiles, the Bradley can not fire and it should likely get a PF decrement since the cargo hatch is open.

[Mad Russian]

Would the same hold true for Soviet ATGM reloads. For say the BMP-2? I would 'think', always a dangerous situation, that the Soviet reload times would be comparable to NATO reload times.

This would look like the 'unit' would always have ATGM coverage in the game. That as they would fire a few ATGM's they would have those reloaded within no less than 4 minutes.

Sorry for all the uninformed questions. ATGM's are the one thing I never messed with when I was on active duty. What is a 'PF decrement'?
Good Hunting.

MR

[MikeAP]

ORIGINAL: Mad Russian

Would the same hold true for Soviet ATGM reloads. For say the BMP-2? I would 'think', always a dangerous situation, that the Soviet reload times would be comparable to NATO reload times.

Actually no. There is no dedicated loader for the BMP-2, and given the missile location (on top of vehicle) it would cause more exposure to whomever has to reload.

M2 and M1134 take that into consideration with their independent loader hatches. I could be wrong, but I've never seen one on a BMP2. Not sure about the BRDM-2 AT

[CapnDarwin]

Protection factor, ie armor drop for having the ammo storage open.

My question would be is when do you reload? Under fire is not ideal I would think.

[Mad Russian]

Again, 'I think', the M901 lowered the mast back into the vehicle to reload it. That too may not be correct.

Good Hunting.

MR

[MikeAP]

ORIGINAL: Mad Russian

Again, 'I think', the M901 lowered the mast back into the vehicle to reload it. That too may not be correct.

Good Hunting.

MR

It did.

The M2/M3/M1134 also swivel so the loader can access the ATGM without exposing himself.

Edit- there is still SOME exposure, but not more than the upper body.

[DoubleDeuce]

Not into the vehicle, is was lowered to the stowed position almost flat on the PC and the TOW's were reloaded through the back hatch (same hatch setup as the M113, iirc).

[IronMikeGolf]

ORIGINAL: Capn Darwin

Protection factor, ie armor drop for having the ammo storage open.

My question would be is when do you reload? Under fire is not ideal I would think.

Here's the drill on a Brad.

1. "Driver, seek defilade"
2. Once you're parked somewhere "safe" (e.g. bottom of fighting position, behind a hill, in a gully, etc), turret is rotated to about 10 o'clock and launcher is raised and put to max elevation
3. Guy in back opens the cargo hatch and reloads.

If you have no dismounted element, it will take longer, maybe a minute, as a turret crew member will have to leave the turret and do the reload, then return.

During the reload, the vehicle is significantly more vulnerable to indirect fire. You just don't do the reload if you are subject to direct fire. You always hide to do a TOW reload on a Brad.

[Tazak]

ORIGINAL: MikeAP

ORIGINAL: Mad Russian

Would the same hold true for Soviet ATGM reloads. For say the BMP-2? I would 'think', always a dangerous situation, that the Soviet reload times would be comparable to NATO reload times.

Actually no. There is no dedicated loader for the BMP-2, and given the missile location (on top of vehicle) it would cause more exposure to whomever has to reload.

M2 and M1134 take that into consideration with their independent loader hatches. I could be wrong, but I've never seen one on a BMP2. Not sure about the BRDM-2 AT

I'm pretty sure the launchers retract on the BRDM2 AT3/AT5, would expect them to be able to reload internally as well

[IronMikeGolf]

According to this site, the BRDM with AT3 style launcher can reload internally. The AT5 style launcher requires the gunner stand up in a hatch to reload.

The photos of the AT5 launcher don't look like something that is retractable, but that's speculation.

[Mad Russian]

I was hoping for someone with some experience with Soviet equipment to chime here on this. We have some interest from that part of the world.

Good Hunting.

MR

[IronMikeGolf]

Also, on the Bradley, if you're looking for reload times for the 25mm, I'd call it 13 minutes. That's the sum for both ready boxes and again presumes a dismount element to handle the ammo.

[MikeAP]

ORIGINAL: Mad Russian

I was hoping for someone with some experience with Soviet equipment to chime here on this. We have some interest from that part of the world.

Good Hunting.

MR

Good luck with that

[Alex1812]

ORIGINAL: Iron Mike Golf
The photos of the AT5 launcher don't look like something that is retractable

it's retractable, looks here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELDie1b6C90

BMP-2 ATGM also can reload inside of vehicle. The launcher is set in vertical position and new tube with missile is mounted using hatch in the turret

[Mad Russian]

ORIGINAL: MikeAP

ORIGINAL: Mad Russian

I was hoping for someone with some experience with Soviet equipment to chime here on this. We have some interest from that part of the world.

Good Hunting.

MR

Good luck with that

Here you go. We have several people on this forum that are in the Soviet Union. No reason to assume they aren't as interested/knowledgeable as their counterparts around the world.


This shows the new BTR-90 with an ATGM mount which looks identical to that on the BMP-2. With a deck opening hatch it looks to be re loadable as well. The BMP-2 has deck hatches as well. I would think the only one that would require a crewman to actually get out of the vehicle to reload it would be the BMP-1 with the missile on a launch rail over the gun tube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69qlCIYBe9c

Good Hunting.

MR

[Alex1812]

ORIGINAL: Mad Russian

I would think the only one that would require a crewman to actually get out of the vehicle to reload it would be the BMP-1 with the missile on a launch rail over the gun tube.

BMP-1 has the special hatch to reload the missile. The reload time is 50 seconds or less

http://youtu.be/uDKMos5VrLE?t=6m20s

[CapnDarwin]

I'm going to say there is no way that ATGM fits through the hatch and how many can you carry inside.

[Ajack58]

I'm going to say I didn't think so either, but seeing is believing. Great find on Youtube. How many could they carry inside?