FGM-172 SRAW

FGM-172 SRAW
A Computer Graphics representation of FGM-172 SRAW.
Type	Anti-Tank Missile Launcher
Place of origin	United States
Service history
In service	2002–~2006
Used by	United States
Production history
Designer	Lockheed Martin
Designed	1994-2002
Manufacturer	Lockheed Martin
Produced	2002-2003
Number built	960
Variants	FGM-172A anti-tank FGM-172B assault
Specifications
Weight	9.7 kg (21 lb)
Length	70.5 cm (2 ft  3 3⁄4 in)
Width	14 cm (5.5 in)
Cartridge	Single shot
Caliber	139.7 mm (fires 139 mm rockets)
Muzzle velocity	250 m/s (820 ft/s)
Effective firing range	17 to 600 m (19 to 660 yd)
Filling	FGM-172A: Explosively Formed Penetrator FGM-172B: multipurpose blast warhead

The FGM-172 SRAW (Short-Range Assault Weapon), also known as the Predator SRAW, was a lightweight, close range missile system produced by Lockheed Martin, developed by Lockheed Martin and Israel Military Industries. It was designed to complement the Javelin anti-tank missile. The Predator had a longer range and was more powerful than the AT4 that it is designed to replace, but had a shorter range than the Javelin.

The missile system received the FGM-172 designation from the Department of Defense in 2006. Prior to that it was known as the SRAW MK 40 MOD 0.

The Predator was a fire-and-forget weapon utilizing a pre-launch system where the gunner tracked the target three seconds before launch and the internal system measured target speed and direction and was used in conjunction with known missile flight performance to predict where the target would be when the missile was in a position to intercept. The missile's flight path would overfly the target aim point. A dual laser and magnetic sensor would detect the target and trigger the detonation of the warhead. The laser sensor would locate the positions of the leading and trailing edges of the tank, and the magnetic sensor would provide confirmation of the position of the tank. The missile also used an inertial guidance unit to guide the weapon over the predicted intercept point, compensating for crosswind and launcher motion (the launcher may be mounted on or fired from a vehicle). For direct attacks the missile acted as an unguided, flattened trajectory, line-of-sight weapon and the warhead detonates on impact.

The Predator is a useful complement for Javelin since it has a significantly shorter minimum range, especially in direct attack mode where it can be fired window to window across a typical street. It is also much lighter than Javelin which makes carrying one or more additional rounds easier where the situation warrants or allows a lighter and shorter range solution. Additionally, because it utilizes a different guidance mechanism it is more difficult to defeat both threats with a single defense. It can also be carried by every member of the platoon, giving infantry units increased firepower and survivability against enemy armor.