Last updated on February 17th, 2019 at 09:47 pm
The M47 Dragon anti-tank guided missile is a disposable shoulder-fired SACLOS-guided anti-tank missile.
It was designed to be used by infantry.
One man can operate the M47 Dragon.
The complete system, which includes a launch tube with an extendible bipod on the front, weighs 49.6lbs (22.5kg).
With SACLOS guidance, the Dragon can engage targets out to a distance of 1640 yards (1500m).
The only reusable part of the M47 Dragon anti-tank guided missile is the Day/Night tracker (DNT). This is a clip-on tracker with infrared sensors. The DNT allows the operator to track his target electronically. When the DNT is used, targets can be acquired out to a distance of 2187 yards (2000m).
The Dragon can be operated in temperatures ranging from -13 degrees F (-25 degrees C) and +293 degrees F (145 degrees C ) degrees, making this anti-tank weapon ideal for use by special forces units.
Development of the M47 started in 1964, but production did not begin until 1970.
The shaped charge warhead has been redesigned twice in order to cope with improvements to the armor of modern MBTs. The latest version, the Superdragon, appeared in 1990. The Superdragon can pierce 18 inches (457mm) of armor from a distance of 1,640 yards (1,500 meters).
At least ten countries other than the US also use the M47.
The Dragon was deployed by the United States during the 1990/1991 Gulf War.