PCML

PCML
Faction	- NATO - CTRG - AAF
Type	Anti-Tank Missile Launcher
Caliber	150 mm
Magazine capacity	1
Variants	None
Games

The PCML (full name: Person-Carried Missile Launcher) is a 150 mm missile launcher that is used by both NATO forces and the AAF, as well as with CTRG operators in ArmA 3.

Overview

The PCML is a portable short-range, fire-and-forget, guided missile launcher.

It can only load missiles with 150 mm high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) tandem charge warheads, which are capable of striking targets at distances of between 600 and up to 800 metres away.

The launcher comes with an integrated night vision-capable sight that has a magnification strength of 2x, and an integrated laser rangefinder. It is able to toggle between using the standard direct-fire and an overfly top-attack (OTA) mode.

Designed to provide infantry with the ability to engage clumps of enemy troops and both lightly armoured/unarmoured ground vehicles alike, the PCML's HEAT missile is particularly devastating against MRAPs and Armoured Personnel Carriers.

The missile also uses a shaped charge warhead like most ATGMs, which means that it can be effectively used against slat cage-protected vehicles as well (to a certain degree). This is because the initial blast will usually destroy the cage while the penetrator attacks the vehicle's main armour.

Unlike the heavier Titan MPRL Compact, the PCML locks onto targets using a visual sensor as opposed to infrared, and is able to acquire any kind of target regardless of whether it has a 'cold' or 'hot' thermal signature.

However it should be noted that unlike the Titan family of ATGMs, the PCML cannot make use of SACLOS guidance. This means that missiles fired without a lock-on will not follow the user's crosshairs.

Also in contrast to the Titan, the PCML's visual sensor can be affected by bad weather and lighting conditions. Both can cause a reduction in the sensor's lock-on range or in the case of heavy fog, prevent the PCML from locking onto targets at all.

Likewise, the missile itself only has enough fuel for a flight time of 7 seconds. Should it fail to hit a target before it runs out of fuel, it will automatically self-destruct mid-flight regardless of how close it is to a target in its terminal phase.

Despite these glaring drawbacks, the PCML still remains as an overall decent weapon to use thanks to its multi-role capability. Its missiles fly noticeably faster than the munitions used by other AT launchers, which makes it difficult for ground vehicles to outmanoeuvre. Most notably, up to two spare missiles can be comfortably carried in any of the smaller backpacks by the operator without having to rely on another person to haul them.

Sensors

The PCML's missile relies on only one kind of sensor for guidance:

Visual Sensor

The missile can lock onto targets that are up to 800 metres away, and is only able to track mobile vehicles that are moving at speeds of up to 126 km/h. The sensor's lock-on cone is restricted to a horizontal and vertical angle of 5 degrees.

Poor visibility conditions such as darkness or rain can reduce its lock-on range by 20% (down to 640 metres from 800). Fog can also cause a further reduction to its lock-on range; this reduction begins at 6% (800 down to 752 metres) and will steadily increase depending on how thick it is.

Trivia

• The PCML is based on the real-world "NLAW" missile launcher designed by Saab of Sweden. It is used by the armed forces of several European nations, most notably by the British Army where it is designated as the "MBT LAW".
  • Unlike the real NLAW however, the in-game PCML is capable of being reloaded whereas the real launcher is designed to be disposed of after being used once.
• The PCML's missiles have a tendency to dip towards the ground after flying past 300 metres.
  • If engaging targets on flat terrain in direct fire mode, this dip can cause the missile to immediately impact onto the ground instead. It is recommended to either switch to using OTA mode, or be at least 5 metres higher than the target to prevent this from occurring.
• Prior to the release of the Tanks DLC, the in-game PCML was unable to make use of the real NLAW's Predicted Line-Of-Sight (PLOS) guidance mode and was restricted to direct fire only. This was later refactored with the release of Game Update 1.82, which finally gave the PCML (along with other guided ATGMs) the ability to toggle between the two flight profiles.
  • The update also granted the PCML's optical sight with an integrated laser rangefinder. Prior to this, the PCML solely relied on its reticle markers for aiming.

Gallery

Pre-patch PCML inventory icon. Note how it simply depicts the ArmA 2 NLAW and not the actual in-game PCML.

Add a photo to this gallery

External links

• Wikipedia: MBT LAW

See also

Weapons of comparable role and configuration

• MAAWS Mk4 Mod 1 (Alternate NATO counterpart, ArmA 3: Tanks only)
• RPG-42 (CSAT counterpart)
• NLAW (British Army predecessor, ArmA 2: BAF only)