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Description
The Starstreak missile is transported in a sealed launch tube. This tube is
attached to an aiming unit for firing. The operator tracks the target using the
aiming units' optically stabilized sight. The process of tracking the target
allowing the aiming unit to compute the right trajectory to bring the missile
together with the target. The operator can indicate wind direction to the unit,
and in the case of a long range target provide super elevation. When the initial
tracking is complete, the operator fires the missile by pressing a button.
The missile then fires the first stage rocket motor, which launches the missile
from the tube—but burns out before leaving the tube to protect the operator.
When the missile is a safe distance from the operator the second stage fires,
which rapidly accelerates the missile to burn out velocity of about Mach 3.5 400
m away from the operator. As the second stage burns out the three dart
submunitions are released. The darts are each 396 mm long with a diameter of 22
mm and weigh about 0.9 kg. Each dart consists of a rotating forebody with two
canard fins attached to a non-rotating rear assembly which has four fins. The
rear assembly also houses the electronics that guide the missile. The dart
housing is made from a tungsten alloy, and contains approximately 0.45 kg of
explosive with a delayed impact activated fuse.
The missiles are guided by two laser beams projected into a two dimensional
matrix by the aiming unit. The laser is modulated according to its position in
the projected matrix, this modulation is detected by each submunition and allows
it to determine any steering correction. The submunitions steer briefly by
decelerating the rotating forebody with a clutch. The front wings then steer the
missile in the appropriate direction. The three submunitions fly in a formation
about 1.5 m in radius, and have enough kinetic energy to manoeuver to meet a
target evading at 9G at 7,000 m.
On impact with the target a delayed action fuse is triggered. This gives time
for the projectile to penetrate the target before the explosive warhead
detonates. The tungsten housing is designed to fragment and produce maximum
damage inside the target.
A demonstration was conducted in September 1999 that showed the missile being
used against an armoured vehicle (a FV432 armoured personnel carrier, showing
the missile's effectiveness as ground-to-ground weapon. Each sub-munition dart
travelling at 1,250 m/s (2,800 mph) has a comparable kinetic energy to a shell
from a Bofors 40 mm gun and probably has sufficient energy to penetrate the
front armour of an infantry fighting vehicle. However it lacks the armour
penetration capabilities of a purpose-built anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) or a
dual purpose missile such as Air Defense Anti-Tank System (ADATS).
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