MBDA HOT

HOT is a second-generation, long-range anti-tank guided missile system, its name standing for the French words meaning high subsonic, optically remote-guided and tube-launched. It was developed to replace the older SS.11 in French and West German service by French company Nord Aviation and a West German partner. The missile is tube launched, wire guided and optically tracked with semi-automatic command to line of sight guidance, and thrust vectoring on the sustainer engine steers it in flight. It entered limited production in 1976, reached mass production of 800 missiles a month in 1978, and is mounted on light and medium armoured vehicles and on attack helicopters such as the Gazelle. Tens of thousands have been produced for about a dozen countries and it has been used in several wars.