How long does it take a TOW missile to travel 3,750 meters?

• A. 12.5 seconds
• B. 18.7 seconds
• C. 23.2 seconds
• D. 30.1 seconds

Answer: (C)

The main concept here is that time equals distance divided by speed. A TOW missile travels at about 160 meters per second once powered. To estimate how long it takes to cover 3,750 meters, divide the distance by the speed: 3,750 ÷ 160 ≈ 23.4 seconds. That’s very close to 23.2 seconds, making it the best match among the options. In reality, the missile accelerates during the boost phase and then flies at a more steady speed, so the exact time can vary a bit, but the straight‑line calculation using the typical flight speed gives the correct order of magnitude. The other numbers would require speeds that don’t align with the missile’s usual performance.