MCLOS

MCLOS (short for Manual Command to Line of Sight) is a "first-generation" method for guiding guided missiles.

With an MCLOS missile, the operator must track the missile and the target simultaneously and guide the missile to the target. Typically the missile is steered with a joystick, and its path is observed through a periscope-type telescopic sight. The missiles are usually equipped with a magnesium flare in the base that automatically ignites upon launch and allows the gunner to visually track the fast-moving missile in a manner similar in concept to a tracer bullet.

MCLOS requires considerable training and practice to master, since even a minor disruption in the gunner's concentration would likely result in loss of simultaneous visual contact with either the missile or the target and resultantly cause a miss. Largely due to the first-generation guidance systems, the missiles themselves were also prone to erratic flight paths and marginal accuracy on tank-sized targets, even with perfect line-of-sight by the gunner. Historically--as utilized most notably by the Israeli Army during its wars with the Soviet-armed Arab states--a combination of high-speed, rapid movement changes, and immediate counter-fire once the distinctive smoke puff of a missile launch is spotted served to minimize their accuracy, as very few ATGM gunners could be expected to maintain their concentration on a fast-moving, randomly-swerving tank for the entire flight time of the missile while receiving a barrage of enemy return fire.

MCLOS guidance today has mostly been replaced by the easier-to-use SACLOS, which allows the gunner to merely track the target with an optical sight (which guides the missile), rather than being forced to both visually track the target and fly the missile manually. The Vickers Vigilant attempted to solve this by using a 'velocity control' method with an on-board gyroscope, rather than simpler 'acceleration control'.

Accuracy

The accuracy achieved by MCLOS missiles is hard to put a firm figure on, since it is highly dependent on the skill of the operator. Actual figures from combat operations suggest that it is much lower than SACLOS guided missiles.
* Six-Day War 1967 - AT-1 Snapper - Limited usage, only one tank kill is attributed with a hit probability of less than 25%.
* Vietnam War 1972 - fired by American troops, the French SS.11 - about 10% compared with over 50% for the SACLOS BGM-71 TOW.
* Yom Kippur War 1973 - AT-3 Sagger - between 25% at the start in well trained Egyptian hands and 2% at the end in less well trained Syrian hands once the threat was understood by tank crews.

MCLOS Missiles

*Fritz X
*Wasserfall missile
*SS.11
*ENTAC
*Blowpipe missile
*AT-3 Sagger
*Vickers Vigilant
*Saab Rb 05A

ee also

*SACLOS