https://www.janes.com/article/82317/portuguese-army-boosts-atgm-capabilityPortuguese Army boosts ATGM capabilityThe Portuguese Army is boosting its mobile anti-tank capability with five 8x8 General Dynamics European Land Systems Pandur II armoured anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) carriers.
The army’s vehicle-based ATGM capability previously comprised MILAN and M220A1/TOW 2A series missiles carried by light vehicles and M901A1 Improved TOW Vehicles (ITVs).
The new Pandur II ATGM platform features a protected weapon station with STANAG 4569 Level 4 protection, mounting a manually operated Raytheon Missiles Systems Tube-Launched, Optically Tracked Wire-Guided, Improved Target Acquisition System (TOW ITAS) missiles, as well as a weapon station incorporating six built-in M27 periscopes and a 12.7 mm M2HB machine gun (MG) for self-protection.
Compared with earlier vehicles, the Pandur II ATGM platform has benefited from new add-on armour, deflectors for missile launch tube and 12.7 mm MG, blast deflectors and limiting stops, as well as relocation of the Elbit Systems TDS laser warning system, winch pulley, and smoke grenade launchers.
Internally, the vehicle is outfitted with an M159A1 tripod to provide a stable platform for the TOW ITAS during dismounted operations, storage for 10 missiles, and nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) protection masks for the crew that are linked to the vehicle’s life support system.
The TOW ITAS comprises the Advanced Composites M22 missile tube that can launch TOW 2A, TOW 2B Aero, and TOW BB missiles with first round hit capability of up to 3,750 m against stationary or moving targets.
It is also outfitted with a target acquisition subsystem incorporating a thermal imager based on Standard Advanced Dewar Assembly II (SADA II) focal plane array technology, day-sight with aided target tracker and eye-safe laser rangefinder, as well as SADA II linear cryocooler unit and eyepiece assembly, M83 traversing unit with handles, and a fire-control subsystem.
The crew comprises the driver, commander/gunner, missile gunner, and missile loader.