Strix ammunition
| Strix | |
|---|---|
| General Information | |
| Type | guided mortar projectile |
| Manufacturer | Bofors , FFV |
| development | 1984 |
| Commissioning | 1994 |
| Technical specifications | |
| length | 84.2 cm, 1.09 m with additional drive |
| diameter | 120 mm |
| Combat weight | 18.2 kg, 23.6 kg with additional drive |
| drive | Solid rocket engine |
| Range | 5.0 km, 7.5 km with additional drive |
| Furnishing | |
| Target location | Infrared seeker head |
| Warhead | Shaped charge |
| Detonator | Impact fuse |
| Weapon platforms | 120 mm mortar |
| Lists on the subject | |
The Strix is a guided (self-targeting) 120 mm mortar projectile made in Sweden. It is used to combat battle tanks and armored vehicles. Strix was the world's first precision-guided mortar ammunition ready for mass production .
development
Strix was designed to combat armored units on the march with precise, indirect fire. Development began at Bofors and FFV in 1984 . In October 1988 the first copies were delivered to the Swedish armed forces for testing purposes. A supply agreement was signed in 1991 and the first Strix were delivered to the Swedish armed forces in 1994 . After that, Strix was also delivered to the Swiss Army . There Strix bears the designation 12 cm mine thrower intelligent projectile 96 STRIX (12 cm Mw int G 96 STRIX) .
technology
Strix is fired from conventional 120 mm mortars. In addition, it can also be fired from the fortress mine launchers of the Swiss Army and from vehicle-mounted mortars. Before the projectile is fired, navigation data and the activation time for the search and steering phase must be programmed into the projectile. This is done within a few seconds by an external fire control computer unit. Thus, Strix does not need a forward observer or target light .
Strix has an infrared seeker head in the tip of the bullet , which searches for targets autonomously and can steer the missile towards them. Behind the seeker head there is an on-board computer, an inertial navigation system and a thermal battery. Behind it is a rocket engine, which has a ring of 12 lateral control nozzles and is required for course corrections in the target approach. The shaped charge warhead is located behind the engine part . Strix is pushed into the mortar with a load carrier, a special mortar shell tail section, for launch. Secondary charges (charges 1 to 8) can be attached to this rear section, just like with a conventional mortar shell. The load carrier falls back to earth around 50 m after leaving the pipe. An additional rocket engine part can be attached to the stern for longer shooting distances. Coupling with the Strix projectile takes place through the launch shock . After leaving the tube, the rocket engine is automatically ignited. This is repelled over the target area before the seeker is activated.
The Strix ammunition is fired like conventional ammunition on a ballistic trajectory . After leaving the mortar barrel, two folding stabilizers unfold at the rear of the projectile, which stabilize the projectile during flight. Over the target area, in the final phase of the flight path, the protective hood of the infrared seeker head is blown off. The seeker head scans the target area in a circular motion caused by the bullet twist. The search radius is around 150 m. The search head works on a wavelength of 3 to 5 µm and recognizes vehicle targets based on certain characteristics. For example, he can differentiate between intact and disabled battle tanks. He can also discover camouflaged targets day and night . As soon as a target is recognized, Strix steers towards the target with the help of the side control nozzles. The shaped charge warhead ignites on impact. This has a penetration capacity of 600–700 mm RHA . The warhead has enough power to penetrate reactive armor and the main armor behind it.
Due to the steep approach angle, Strix is difficult to fight with protective systems that are active at a distance . Smoke throw systems with multispectral smoke and infrared camouflage nets can offer protection against Strix ammunition. The expected hit against a moving target should be 20% and against a stationary target 75%.
distribution
literature
- Ian Hogg: Infantry Support Weapons. Arms and Equipment, Volume 4, Motorbuch Verlag, Stuttgart 1997, ISBN 3-613-01843-8 .
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b Janes Infantry Weapons , accessed October 17, 2012
- ↑ a b Janes Ammunition Handbook , Access: October 17, 2012 (English)
- ^ A b c Threat Support Directorate: OPFOR Worldwide Equipment Guide (WEG) , TRADOC DCSINT, Fort Leavenworth, Sept. 2016.