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{{Short description|Method for guiding guided missiles}}

'''MCLOS''' (short for '''Manual Command to Line of Sight''') is a ''first-generation'' method for guiding [[guided missile]]s.

'''Manual command to line of sight''' ('''MCLOS''' or '''MACLOS''')<ref>{{cite journal |last1= Iyer, N. R. |first1= |last2= |first2= |date=1995 |title=Recent Advances in Antitank Guided Missile Systems |url= https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/333720993.pdf|journal=Defence Science Journal |volume=45 |issue=3 |pages=187–197 |doi= |access-date=}}</ref> is a method for guiding [[guided missile]]s.

With an MCLOS missile, the operator must track the missile and the target simultaneously and guide the missile to the target. Typically the missile is steered with a [[joystick]], and its path is observed through a periscope-type telescopic sight. The missiles are usually equipped with a [[magnesium flare]] in the base that automatically ignites upon launch and allows the gunner to visually track the fast-moving missile in a manner similar in concept to a [[tracer bullet]].

With an MCLOS missile, the operator must track the missile and the target simultaneously and guide the missile to the target. Typically the missile is steered with a [[joystick]], and its path is observed through a periscope-type telescopic sight. The missiles are usually equipped with a [[magnesium]] [[flare]] in the base that automatically ignites uponon launch and allows the gunner to visually track the fast-moving missile in a manner similar in concept to a [[tracer bulletammunition]].

MCLOS requires considerable training and practice to master, since even a minor disruption in the gunner's concentration would likely result in loss of simultaneous visual contact with either the missile or the target and resultantly cause a miss. Largely due to the first-generation guidance systems, the missiles themselves were also prone to erratic flight paths and marginal accuracy on tank-sized targets, even with perfect line-of-sight by the gunner. Historically--as utilized most notably by the Israeli Army during its wars with the Soviet-armed Arab states--a combination of high-speed, rapid movement changes, and immediate counter-fire once the distinctive smoke puff of a missile launch is spotted served to minimize their accuracy, as very few ATGM gunners could be expected to maintain their concentration on a fast-moving, randomly-swerving tank for the entire flight time of the missile while receiving a barrage of enemy return fire.

MCLOS requires considerable training and practice to master, since even a minor disruption in the gunner's concentration would likely result in loss of simultaneous visual contact with either the missile or the target and resultantly cause a miss. Largely due to the first-generationThese guidance systems, the missiles themselves were also prone to erratic flight paths andhave marginal accuracy on tank-sized targets, even with perfect line-of-sight by the gunner., Historically--asdue utilizedto erratic flight paths requiring timely manual corrections. mostAs notablydemonstrated by the Israeli Army duringunder itsfire wars with thefrom Soviet-armed Arab states--a combination of high-speed, rapidresponding movement changes, and immediate counter-fire onceto the distinctive smoke puff of a missile launch iswith spottedrapid servedmanoeuvres toand minimizeimmediate counter-fire minimizes their accuracy, as very few ATGM[[anti-tank gunnersguided couldmissile]] be(ATGM) expected togunners maintain their concentration on a fast-moving, randomly-swerving tank for the entire flight time of the missile while receivingunder a barrage of enemy returnsuppressing fire.

MCLOS guidance today has mostly been replaced by the easier-to-use [[SACLOS]], which allows the gunner to merely track the target with an optical sight (which guides the missile), rather than being forced to both visually track the target and fly the missile manually. The [[Vickers Vigilant]] attempted to solve this by using a 'velocity control' method with an on-board gyroscope, rather than simpler 'acceleration control'.

MCLOS guidance today has mostly been replaced by the easier-to-use [[SACLOSsemi-automatic command to line of sight]] (SACLOS), which allows the gunner to merely track the target with an optical sight (which guides the missile), rather than being forced to both visually track the target and fly the missile manually. The [[Vickers Vigilant]] attempted to solve this by using a '"velocity control'" method with an on-board gyroscope, rather than simpler '"acceleration control'".

==Accuracy==

The accuracy achieved by '''MCLOS''' missiles is hard to put a firm figure on, since it is highly dependent on the skill of the operator and any distractions the operator has to contend with (such as being fired upon). Actual figures from combat operations suggest that it is much lower than SACLOS guided missiles.

* [[Six-Day War]] [[1967]] -– [[AT-1 Snapper]] -– Limitedlimited usageuse, only one tank kill is attributed with a hit probability of less than 25%.

* [[Vietnam War]] [[1972]] -– fired by American troops, the French [[SS.11]] -– about 10% compared with over 50% for the [[SACLOS]] [[BGM-71 TOW]].

* [[Yom Kippur War]] [[1973]] -– [[AT-3 Sagger]] -– between 25% at the start in well trained Egyptian hands and 2% at the end in less well trained Syrian hands once the threat was understood by Israeli tank crews.

==MCLOS Missilesmissiles and guided bombs==

*[[AGM-12 Bullpup]]

*[[SACLOSAzon]]

*[[Fritz X]]

*[[Henschel Hs 117]], [[Henschel Hs 293|Hs 293]]

*[[Wasserfall missile]]

*[[Ruhrstahl X-4]]

*[[Wasserfall missile]]

*[[SS.11]]

*[[ENTAC]]

*[[Malkara (missile)|Malkara]]

*[[Blowpipe missile]]

*[[AT-33M6 SaggerShmel]]

*[[AT-3 Sagger|9M14 Malyutka]]

*[[Vickers Vigilant]]

*Saab [[Rb 05|Saab Rb 05A]]

*[[SSM-A-23 Dart]]

*[[Swingfire]] (early models)

==See also==

*[[Index of aviation articles]]

*[[SACLOS]]

*[[List of established military terms]]

==References==

{{Unreferenced|date=October 2007}}

{{Reflist}}

[[Category:{{Missile guidance]]types}}

[[Category:Missile guidance]]

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