HOT

Notes: HOT is a heavy antitank missile built by a collaboration of France and Germany. It is in service with those countries and at least 14 others, and can be used from tripod, vehicle, and helicopter mounts. The HOT launcher can fire the HOT-1, the HOT-2 with increased warhead and penetration, or the HOT-3 with a tandem HEAT top-attack warhead. HOT is normally a missile fired from vehicular or helicopter launchers; though a tripod mount exists, it is extremely rare. The HOT-1 Launcher is a basic launcher with a telescopic sight; HOT-2 launchers add an image intensifier; HOT-3 is very different as the guidance for a HOT-3 missile is different, and also uses a thermal imager for night vision. HOT-1 and HOT-2 launchers may use HOT-1 or HOT-2 missiles; a HOT-3 launcher may fire any sort of HOT missile.

Twilight 2000 Notes: HOT-3 is not available.

MAF

Notes: This advanced man-portable ATGM was developed jointly by OTO-Melara of Italy and ORBITA of Brazil. The missile consists of a missile in its container and a firing post. There is an ejection charge that kicks the missile out of the launcher and a sustaining charge that powers the missile for flight. The missile is guided by laser, and has a high-resistance to jamming. The firing post incorporates thermal vision for night use. The MAF was designed for man-portable, vehicular, and helicopter use. The MAF is an ADATS missile, meaning is may also be used against low-flying, slower aircraft. In emergencies, the MAF can be fired as an unguided rocket. Though the MAF was developed in response to a Brazilian request for an advanced, lightweight ATGM, the development cost got away from them, and the project was eventually cancelled.

Twilight 2000 Notes: Most MAF’s were actually used during the Twilight War by Italy. Some were also supplied to Libya, and there was reportedly some use of the MAF by Pact special operations units and by Iraq. The Brazilians probably had fewer than 40 of the launchers, with perhaps as little as 200 missiles total.

Merc 2000 Notes: The Italians were eventually able to interest the armies of Libya, Iraq, Iran, and Vietnam in the MAF, and did some pretty good business with the missile system. (Where the Vietnamese got the money is unknown; there may have been some oil concessions in the Spratelys made.)

*When fired in this mode, the MAF is treated as a rocket launcher.

Notes: The TOW LWL (LightWeight Launcher) was developed jointly by Hughes Aerospace of the US and Gyconsa of Spain in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Initial development was done at the behest of the Spanish Army and Marines, but it was later picked for use by the US, particularly by light formations and special operations for use on small vehicles like Fast Attack Vehicles. The LWL is basically a TOW launcher with miniaturized components that are smaller and lighter. The LWL includes an integral 2^nd generation thermal imager with a magnification of 15.3x or 5.1x, and an optical sight with a magnification of 10x. It may operate from vehicle or battery power. Unlike a standard TOW launcher, the sight and guidance units are integrated into a single package. The LWL is not capable of firing TOW 3 missiles, but may fire any other sort of TOW series missile.

Notes: This is a longer-ranged, heavier warhead version of the Trigat MR, primarily used as helicopter armament, but also fired from mast-mounted launchers on vehicles such as the Panther. The missile is able to make a top attack by climbing above the target or being launched from above it, then diving downwards. Budget difficulties are still delaying full deployment of the Trigat LR.

Twilight 2000 Notes: This missile is much rarer than the Trigat MR, not being fielded until 1997.

Notes: This weapon is a joint project of France, Germany, and Great Britain. Belgium and the Netherlands also use the missile. It is a laser-guided missile with a tandem HEAT warhead. The missile is prepacked in a container, and the firing post has a thermal imager. The firing post electronics are not affected by EMP. The Trigat can be mounted on a pintle in vehicles and Warrior ICVs. In a pinch, the Trigat may be fired from Milan firing unit, but range is then limited to 2000 meters, and the Milan firing unit is not equipped with its own laser designator as the Trigat MR firing unit is.