Starburst (rocket)

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Starburst

Starburst01.jpg

General Information
Type Anti-aircraft missile
Manufacturer Shorts Missile Systems
development 1986
Commissioning 1989
Technical specifications
length 1.39 m
diameter 76 mm
Combat weight 15.2 kg
span 275 mm
drive Solid - rocket engine
speed 435 m / s
Range 0.5-6.0 km
Furnishing
Target location SACLOS via laser
Warhead 2.74 kg fragmentation warhead
Detonator Proximity and impact fuses
Weapon platforms MANPADS , vehicles, ships
Lists on the subject

The Starburst is a British-made anti-aircraft missile . The system can be used by one man and is used to combat low-flying targets.

development

Starburst was developed to replace the always problematic Blowpipe and Javelin anti-aircraft guided weapons . The Starburst missile is a Javelin missile with a laser aiming system. This came from the Starstreak missile that was being developed. In order to avoid major redesigns of the missile, the laser receivers were placed in small containers between the rear fins. Thus the missile could be adopted almost identically. Compared to the original radio command steering, this steering method is much more reliable and more interference-free. The system was introduced to the British armed forces in 1989 . There Starburst served as a temporary solution until the introduction of the Starstreak . The Starburst also served as the basis for the Lightweight Multirole Missile .

variants

  • Starburst SML (Lightweight single launcher): Shoulder-supported launch device for a single guided missile.
  • Starburst LML (Lightweight multiple launcher): Launching device for 3 guided missiles.
  • Starburst VML (Vehicle multiple launcher): launcher for 3 guided missiles. Can be installed on a light Land Rover vehicle .
  • Starburst NML (Naval multiple launcher): Launching unit with electro-optical aiming device and 2x4 guided missiles. Can also be installed on M113 or AMX-10P vehicles .
  • Starburst Starlite thermal imager: Like Starburst LML but with Starlite type IR vision device .
  • Starburst SR2000: Like Starburst NML but with a Radamec 2400 sensor unit .

technology

The Starburst is similar in appearance to the Javelin, but has a more advanced laser steering system. Compared to the previous model, land and sea targets can also be fought. Starburst LML is usually carried by two men. One carries the missile container, the other carries the launcher with steering device and frame. This essentially comprises a tripod splay mount , the optical target tracking unit, the laser unit and the power supply unit. It takes around 30 seconds to prepare for fire readiness. The guided weapon is housed in a GRP transport and launch tube and is started directly from this. Starburst is powered by a two-stage rocket motor. The first stage pushes the guided weapon out of the barrel, then the marching engine ignites at a safe distance. Starburst works according to the SACLOS steering system (semi-automatic command steering). The missile is guided to the target by means of a laser beam. The shooter only needs to follow the target in the crosshairs . If the target comes within the proximity fuse's response radius, the fragmentation warhead is detonated. In the event of a direct hit, the warhead is detonated by the impact fuse. The combat range against helicopters is 6 km and against faster planes 4.5 km.

commitment

During the Second Gulf War , the Starburst was used with the 10th Battery of the 40th Field Regiment of the Royal Artillery. No kills are known.

distribution

  • ChileChile Chile - number unknown
  • CanadaCanada Canada - 100 weapons
  • KuwaitKuwait Kuwait - 50 starters and 250 guided missiles
  • MalaysiaMalaysia Malaysia - 504 weapons
  • QatarQatar Qatar - number unknown
  • United KingdomUnited Kingdom United Kingdom - number unknown

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b rbase.new-factoria.ru , accessed November 1, 2011 (Russian)
  2. ↑ Lightweight Multirole Missile - Martlet I. In: thinkdefence.co.uk. Think Defense, accessed January 9, 2018 .
  3. ↑ Trade Register on sipri.org , access: November 1, 2011 (English)
  4. ↑ Missile.index , accessed November 1, 2011 (English / Japanese)

swell

  • Jane's Land-Based Air Defense 2005-2006 , ISBN 0-7106-2697-5
  • Air Defense Systems and Weapons: World AAA and SAM Systems in the 1990s , Christopher Chant, Brassey's Defense Publishers Ltd., London 1989, ISBN 0-08-036246-X