How Vietnam creatively uses B72 missiles

QPVN Channel has just broadcast a report on combat training at Anti-Tank Missile Battalion 371 - Artillery Corps with B72.

B72 is an anti-tank missile currently in service in the Vietnam Army. The missile is fired by the gunner manually via a wired system. Therefore, the accuracy of the missile depends greatly on the skill, experience and qualifications of the gunner as well as objective conditions such as weather, terrain, etc.

Therefore, training in firing B72 anti-tank missiles plays a very important role. However, our army still does not have a suitable equipment system to serve training in firing this type of missile.

B72 anti-tank missile in the Vietnam Army.

Faced with this reality, the Military Science and Technology Institute has implemented a project to research, design and manufacture a B72 anti-tank missile firing training simulation system. The B72 anti-tank missile firing training simulation system is built on the basis of digital map data and multi-layer terrain models, taking into account external factors close to real-life conditions.

The product is capable of virtually simulating the missile control process from the start of launch until it hits the target, with results evaluation and can be used to train B72 anti-tank missile firing in many conditions such as complex terrain, urban terrain, mountainous terrain, firing at sea...

The B72 anti-tank missile training simulation system has been equipped for artillery units throughout the army. The B72 missile (name in Vietnam) 9M14 Malyutka or known as 9K11 (NATO designation AT-3 Sagger) - the most powerful anti-tank missile in the years 1962 - 1970 produced by the Soviet Union.

Produced based on the experience gained from AT-1/2, Malyutka has many advantages such as more compact size but still guaranteed penetration power. According to the Soviet Union's organization, each B72 platoon has 2 groups, each group has 2 batteries.

In each battery, in addition to the main gunner controlling the missile, there is also an assistant gunner using an RPG-7 anti-tank gun to control the 500m distance where the missile cannot be effective. However, when entering Vietnam in 1972, this type of organization was abolished without reducing the combat power of the B72.

The B72 can be carried or installed on infantry fighting vehicles such as the BMP-1, BRDM-1/2... When carried, the missile is placed in a suitcase which, during combat, is the 9P111 launcher. The gunner will use the 9S415 controller to steer the missile to the target by transmitting signals via wire.

The appearance of the B72 anti-tank missile stunned the ARVN. The B72 played an important role in stopping and neutralizing the US-ARVN armored forces at that time.

In particular, the B72 caused a series of invulnerable tanks at that time, the M48A3, to be destroyed on the battlefield. Although Russia has replaced the B72 with more modern anti-tank missiles, the B72 in Vietnam continues to be upgraded and becomes the main anti-tank weapon.

According to Baodatviet