U.S. Army Soldiers from the Illinois Army National Guard firing TOW missiles at Range 19 on Fort McCoy, WI. The 33D IBCT TOW crews conducted training on the M41A7 ITAS system to include system descriptions, target engagement, far-target location (FTL) capabilities, Crew Commands, PMCS, and Missile capabilities.
ITAS’s second-generation forward-looking infrared sensors double the long-range surveillance of its predecessor, the M220 TOW system. ITAS offers improved hit probability with aided target tracking, improved missile flight software algorithms and an elevation brake to minimize launch transients. The system includes an integrated far-target location (FTL) capability (day-and-night sight with laser rangefinder), a position attitude determination subsystem, a fire-control subsystem, a Li-ion battery power source and a modified traversing unit. Soldiers can also detect and engage long-range targets with TOW Missiles or, using the ITAS FTL enhancement, direct other fires to destroy them. The FTL enhancement consists of a position attitude determination subsystem that provides the gunner with his own GPS location and a 10-digit grid location to his target through the use of differential GPS. With the PAQ-4/PEQ-2 Laser Pointer, ITAS can designate .50 Caliber or MK-19 grenade engagements. The ITAS can fire all versions of the TOW Family of Missiles.
The ITAS Image Enhancement Modification Kit reduces operator workload by optimizing the image presented to the gunner through electronic processing. Electronic focus, image stabilization, and other processing techniques ensure that the image presented is optimized for the environment without manual manipulation of the various adjustment settings. ITAS operates from the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, the dismount tripod platform and Stryker anti-tank guided missile vehicles.
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