Armor: July 2, 2000

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Brazil is testing the MAF anti-tank missile, which was designed 20 years ago by Alenia Marconi of Italy but never bought by the Italian Army. The Brazilians have said they want to build 4,000 missiles by 2010 if they can find the money in their overstretched budget. Brazil originally bought some test missiles in 1989, but the production has been delayed by budget problems. MAF has laser beam-riding guidance and (in good weather) a range of 3,000m. Time of flight to max range is 16 seconds.--Stephen V Cole