The missile that hunts tanks from above by predicting your next move

Wars & Conflicts · Published 16 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Most anti-tank weapons require the operator to stay on target until impact. The NLAW changes the rules by using predicted line of sight guidance. This allows a soldier to track a moving vehicle for just a few seconds before launching a fire-and-forget missile that autonomously calculates the necessary flight path.

The NLAW (Next-generation Light Anti-tank Weapon) is a Swedish-developed, British-produced fire-and-forget missile designed for infantry. Unlike many contemporary systems that use tandem warheads, the NLAW utilizes a single shaped-charge warhead. It is distinguished by its 'overfly top attack' (OTA) mode, which aims to strike the thinner top armor of main battle tanks by detonating approximately one meter above the vehicle using a combination of proximity fuzes and magnetic sensors.

The weapon's intelligence lies in its 'predicted line of sight' (PLOS) guidance. When an operator tracks a moving target for 2 to 3 seconds, the missile's internal software records the movement and extrapolates the necessary flight path. Once launched, the missile flies autonomously using an inertial guidance system. This 'fire-and-forget' capability means the soldier can remain in cover immediately after firing, as the missile automatically handles the intercept.

The system's development was a joint venture between the UK and Sweden, beginning in the late 1990s to replace the aging LAW 80s. Despite initial skepticism regarding the feasibility of a top-down attack, the system entered production in 2008. It is designed for extreme versatility, capable of being fired from confined spaces as small as 4 x 2.5 x 2.5 meters and operating in temperatures ranging from -38 to +63 degrees Celsius.

While the UK requirement was for over 14,000 units, more than 24,200 have been produced globally. The weapon has seen significant international use, including over 4,000 units delivered to Ukraine in early 2022. Saab claims the NLAW's technology remains unmatched by US designs, asserting that with only one hour of training, operators can effectively engage advanced Russian T-90 tanks. The production of the NLAW is a complex industrial feat involving 14 subcontractors in the United Kingdom. While the missile's warhead is manufactured in Switzerland, final assembly and testing take place in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The total contract cost for the MBT LAW reached between £400 million and £437 million.

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