DA Form 7213: TOW Missile Firing Data Report Guide

DA Form 7213: TOW Missile Firing Data Report Guide – U.S. Army soldiers, armor crews, and anti-armor units rely on accurate documentation for every TOW missile firing. DA Form 7213, officially titled Missile Firing Data Report (TOW) (previously covering Dragon and TOW), serves as the standardized tool for capturing essential firing data.

This form supports critical Army munitions management, reliability analysis, and sustainment programs for the Tube-Launched, Optically Tracked, Wire-Guided (TOW) missile system.

What Is DA Form 7213?

DA Form 7213 is a Department of the Army form used to record detailed information about each TOW missile firing attempt. Units submit it for training, qualification, or operational firings.

Key purposes include:

  • Documenting missile performance, environmental conditions, gunner actions, and outcomes.
  • Supporting shelf-life determinations, reliability trends, and causative research for the U.S. Army Missile Command (now part of AMCOM).
  • Ensuring compliance with Army ammunition management regulations.

The form falls under Requirement Control Symbol AMC-224 and is referenced in AR 700-19 / DA PAM 700-19 (or successor publications like DA PAM 700-16 for ammunition management).

Who Uses DA Form 7213?

  • Anti-armor teams and TOW-equipped units (e.g., Infantry, Stryker, Bradley Fighting Vehicle crews).
  • National Guard and Reserve units conducting annual service practice.
  • Units firing from ground mounts (HMMWV, tripods) or vehicle platforms (BFVS, ITV).
  • Aviation units for airborne TOW firings (e.g., AH-1 Cobra variants historically).

Each gunner typically completes one form per missile fired, with the Officer in Charge reviewing it.

Key Sections of DA Form 7213

The form captures comprehensive data for analysis:

  • Missile Identification: System (TOW), Missile Serial No., Lot No., National Stock Number (NSN), Warhead Type (HEAT, Inert/Practice, etc.).
  • Platform/Mount: HMMWV, BFVS (M2/M3 variants), APC, Aircraft, etc.
  • Firing Details: Date, time (military), location, purpose (Annual Service Practice, School, Demonstration, etc.).
  • Environmental Conditions: Light (Day, Night, Twilight), Weather (Clear, Rain, Fog, etc.), Temperature, Wind.
  • Gunner & Equipment: Gunner experience (previous missiles fired), Tracker/Night Sight used, Self-Test results (pre/post), Sequence of Events (gyro spin-up, launch motor, flight motor, etc.).
  • Target Information: Type (Stationary/Moving APC, Tank, etc.), Range, Speed, Direction, Illumination.
  • Results: Hit/Miss, Impact point, Cause of miss (if any), Warhead function, Remarks on unusual behavior.

Blocks 20-23 are specific to TOW/Cobra airborne firings (altitude, speed, maneuver, override). The remainder applies broadly.

How to Complete and Submit DA Form 7213?

  1. Fill out the form accurately during or immediately after the firing event.
  2. Include detailed remarks for any misses, malfunctions, or unusual missile behavior.
  3. The Officer in Charge signs and provides contact info.
  4. Submit per local SOP (often to the Ammunition Supply Point or directly). A copy may go to the unit and higher commands.

Official Download Link (Current Fillable PDF):
Download DA Form 7213 here

Always use the latest version from the Army Publishing Directorate (armypubs.army.mil) for compliance.

Why Accurate Reporting Matters?

Missile Firing Data Reports feed into broader Army programs for:

  • Tracking reliability and failure trends.
  • Informing engineering changes and stockpile management.
  • Supporting “wooden round” vs. certified round concepts for guided missiles.

Incomplete or missing reports can delay analysis and affect readiness.

  • DA Form 7212: For Stinger missiles.
  • Other system-specific Missile Firing Data Reports (e.g., Hellfire, Excalibur).

Best Practices for U.S. Army Units

  • Train gunners and OICs on proper completion.
  • Integrate with range safety and ammunition handling SOPs.
  • Reconcile submissions annually with WARS-NT (Worldwide Ammunition Reporting System).
  • Use digital tools where authorized, but retain the official paper/fillable format for submission.

For full instructions, consult the latest DA PAM 700-series publications or your local ammunition officer/logistics assistance representative (LAR).

Stay mission-ready: Proper use of DA Form 7213 ensures TOW system data improves future performance and soldier safety.