Summary: The M47 Dragon, an anti-tank guided missile (ATGM), entered U.S. Army and Marine Corps service in 1975, after its prototype phase in 1966 and naming in 1967.
-It featured a 14.5 kg launcher, with a range of up to 1,500 meters, and a high-explosive anti-tank round capable of penetrating 460 mm of armor.
-The Dragon was notable for its portability and ease of use but had significant drawbacks, including low hit probability and reliability issues.
-Despite these flaws, it saw action in several conflicts.
-The Dragon was retired in 2009, replaced by the FGM-148 Javelin, and is still used by some foreign militaries.
In most medieval tales, the dragon is depicted as an evil beast, deserving of being slain. John Boorman’s 1981 film “Excalibur” is a refreshing and noteworthy exception, delivering a nuanced depiction of the dragon as being all-encompassing of good and evil.
In a real-world military context, the notion of the reptilian beast as a butt-kicking warrior on the side of the good guys was recognized when its name was bestowed on the M47 Dragon anti-tank guided missile (ATGM).
The M47 Dragon wire-guided ATGM entered into the prototype phase – courtesy of McDonnell-Douglas – in 1966, seven years after the U.S. Army first announced its requirement for an........