Thread by @Rebel44CZ

A thread about identification of ATGM used in Syrian Civil War based on visual clues, launch sounds, and flight patterns:

(videos of all mentioned ATGMs will be posted at the end of this thread)

2. Identification of the following ATGMs models will be addressed in this thread:
BGM-71 TOW
9M133 Kornet / AT-14 Spriggan
9M113 Konkurs / AT-5 Spandrel
9K111 Fagot / AT-4 Spigot
9K115-2 Metis-M / AT-13 Saxhorn-2
9M14 Malyutka / AT-3 Sagger
MILAN
Toophan
HJ-8 / Red Arrow-8

BGM-71 TOW is a wire-guided US ATGM that entered service in the 1970s. The version seen in Syria is model BGM-71E TOW 2A, which is optimized to defeat reactive armor with tandem warheads.

4. Its launcher is very distinctive. When the launcher isn't visible, you can identify TOWs by their distinctive sound that can be heard about a second before the missile launch and its stable flight path.

From this graph and TOWs flight time you can also determine the distance to the target.

Toophan - this is an Iranian copy of BGM-71 TOW and while it is present in Syria, it is very rare. The easiest way to distinguish it from BGM-71 TOW is 3 yellow stripes on launcher legs.

9M133 Kornet / AT-14 Spriggan is a modern (introduced in 1998) laser-guided Russian ATGM. Its flight pattern is similar to BGM-71 TOW, so if the launcher isn't visible, a good way to distinguish them is the launch sound. Kornets flare can sometimes also be seen slowly rotating.

9M133 Kornet / AT-14 Spriggan and the top of its launcher is very similar to 9K115-2 Metis-M / AT-13 Saxhorn-2. You can distinguish them by the lower part of the launcher,

different tail fin configuration (3 fins on Metis-M and 4 fins on Kornet) or saliences along the missile body (Kornet has 2 saliences between its front and back, while Metis-M has just 1). Metis-M is also visibly smaller than Kornet.

9K115-2 Metis-M / AT-13 Saxhorn-2 is another modern (introduced into service in 1992) Russian ATGM. Metis-M missile in flight has an easily recognizable (sparkly) flare.

Besides the visual differences from 9M133 Kornet, you can also identify it based on the distance of the target, since Metis-M has a short range of 1 500m, while Kornet can hit targets at a distance of up to 5 500m - so a flight time of 10+ seconds would safely rule out Metis-M.

9M113 Konkurs / AT-5 Spandrel and 9K111 Fagot / AT-4 Spigot are Soviet ATGMs introduced in the 1970s. They are visually very similar to each other and use the same launcher. Their main visual distinguishing feature is a bulge in the rear of Konkurs.

On this image, you can see Konkurs on its launcher and Fagot standing next to it. Just before launch both Konkurs and Fagot make an easily recognizable sound when spinning up missile gyroscope. Flares of both Konkurs and Fagot appear to be spinning.

9M14 Malyutka / AT-3 Sagger is a very old (introduced in the 1960s) Soviet ATGM. Both the missile itself and its launcher/guidance system are easily recognizable. Since it is very old, it is extremely difficult to steer towards the target and as a result, most shots miss.

MILAN is a French ATGM introduced in the 1970s which is relatively rare in Syria - captured MILAN launchers and missiles were mostly used by rebels in Homs governate. Launcher is easily identifiable and during the launch, the missile tube is ejected backward.

HJ-8 is a Chinese ATGM introduced in the 1980s that was supplied in smaller numbers to Syrian rebels in 2013 and 2014. Missle can easily be identified by a blue stripe on its rear part.

Edit: Twitter is screwing up video uploads, so here is a link where you can download high quality examples of shots by all above mentioned ATGM: bit.ly/2NQbndJ

cc @Elizrael @MENA_Conflict @CalibreObscura @SchoenbornTrent @GregoryPWaters @putintintin1 @THE_47th @MinsterTX @QalaatAlMudiq @LostWeapons @vpkivimaki @adambrayne7 @N_Waters89 @trbrtc @AbraxasSpa @Nrg8000 @oryxspioenkop @MJ_Cruickshank @faysalitani @HKaaman @tobiaschneider

@Elizrael @MENA_Conflict @CalibreObscura @SchoenbornTrent @GregoryPWaters @putintintin1 @THE_47th @MinsterTX @QalaatAlMudiq @LostWeapons @vpkivimaki @adambrayne7 @N_Waters89 @trbrtc @AbraxasSpa @Nrg8000 @oryxspioenkop @MJ_Cruickshank @faysalitani @HKaaman @tobiaschneider cc @luke_j_obrien @Jake_Hanrahan @NeilPHauer @wammezz @AricToler @arawnsley @ryanmofarrell @APHClarkson