MILAN
| MILAN | |
|---|---|
MILAN missile launcher with tripod. | |
| Type | Anti-tank missile |
| Place of origin | France, West Germany |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1972–present |
| Used by | See operators |
| Wars | |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1970s |
| Manufacturer | MBDA Also produced under license by: Bharat Dynamics (India) BAe Dynamics (United Kingdom) |
| Unit cost | £7,500 (1984) |
| Produced | 1971 |
| No. built | 350,000 missiles, 10,000 launchers |
| Variants | See variants |
| Specifications (MILAN 3) | |
| Mass | 16.4 kg |
| Length | 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in) |
| Diameter | 115 mm (4.5 in) |
| Wingspan | 260 mm (10 in) |
| Warhead | Single or tandem HEAT |
Detonation mechanism | contact |
| Engine | solid-fuel rocket |
Operational range | 200–2,000 m (660–6,560 ft); 3,000 m (MILAN ER) |
| Maximum speed | 200 m/s (660 ft/s) |
Guidance system | SACLOS wire |
Steering system | Jet deflector |
Launch platform | Individual, vehicle |
MILAN (French for Missile d'Infanterie Léger Antichar, "Lightweight Infantry Anti-tank Missile"; German for kite raptor or Milvus) is a Franco-West German anti-tank guided missile system. Design of the MILAN began in 1962; it was ready for trials in 1971, and accepted for service in 1972. It is a wire-guided semi-automatic command to line of sight (SACLOS) missile, which means the sight of the launch unit must be aimed at a target to guide the missile. The MILAN can be equipped with a MIRA or MILIS thermal sight to give it night-firing ability.
"Milan" is also a common name in French and German to designate a kite bird, thus falling in line with the Federal Defence naming convention to often use animal names as designators for high-value weapon systems.