In the pantheon of military weaponry, few systems have garnered as much critique yet historical significance as the M47 Dragon anti-tank guided missile (ATGM).
This iconic piece of military hardware, reminiscent of formidable beasts in mythology, was more than just a means of armored warfare; it represented a shift in battlefield dynamics, empowering the individual soldier with unprecedented anti-tank capabilities.
The Dragon, an anti-tank missile originating from the late Cold War era in the United States, was created by McDonnell Douglas in the late 1960s as a man-portable, short-range guided anti-tank weapon.
Despite being deemed outdated by modern standards, the Dragon is still in restricted use.
By 1975, it had slithered its way into the service of the U.S. Army and the Marine Corps, boasting a 14.5 kg launcher and a high-explosive anti-tank round capable of piercing 460 mm of armor.
Its range stretched up to 1,500 meters, a commendable distance for the technology of the era.
Despite its cutting-edge design, the M47 was plagued with drawbacks. Its low hit probability and reliability issues were notable concerns, coupled with the challenge of aiming its cumbersome launch tube and guidance unit.
Adding to the predicament, saltwater environments could compromise its circuitry, reducing its range—a significant issue for a missile system employed by marine forces.
Yet, even with these flaws, the M47 Dragon carved out its place in history.
It was deployed in several conflicts, leaving an indelible mark in military engagements like Operation Urgent Fury and Operation Desert Storm.
According to Military-Today.com’s Miguel Miranda, the Dragon was a symbol of historic breakthrough, allowing soldiers “to hold territory against all comers and even launch ambushes.”
The last remaining M47 Dragon missiles held by the U.S. Army were eliminated at the Anniston Defense Munitions Center in Alabama on September 8, 2009.
It marks the conclusion of a dedicated 34-year period of service.
In place of the Dragon, both the Army and the Marine Corps adopted the FGM-148 Javelin missile—a shift that has notably complicated the lives of Russian tank crews in Ukraine.
Concurrently, the military forces of the Netherlands and Spain opted for the Israeli-produced Spike missile as the substitute.
Relevant articles:
– Dragon M47: Fire-Breathing Tank-Killer Missile (250,000 Built in Total), The National Interest
– M47 Dragon, Weaponsystems.net
– M47 Dragon, Military Wiki | Fandom