Blowpipe portable anti-aircraft missile system

Blowpipe" complex combat vehicles are placed in the launcher, on it, and attached to the back of the operator. The time to put the complex on alert is 20 seconds.

Means of guidance of the complex include:

• pointing unit (monocular sight, as well as a pointing handle, which the operator moves with his thumb);
• counting and solving device;
• a radio command transmission station aboard the ZUR.

The last two devices are attached behind the operator's back. An electric battery is mounted in the unit to power the guidance unit and the on-board equipment of the RSD (before starting it). The weight of the guidance unit mounted on the launcher is 3.6 kg.

The functions of the detection and target designation system are performed by the operator, who with the naked eye or using the fivefold optical monocular sight detects and identifies targets and selects one of them for firing. Targeting can also be transmitted to the operator by radio from a detection and target designation system. When a target is selected, the operator begins to follow it using the sighting field of view, and moves with the launcher on his shoulder. The operator then switches on the equipment, selects the frequency of the command transmitter and the type of fuse to be used. When the target enters the launch area (which is also visually determined by the operator), he launches the ZUR. After the ZAR is launched, the operator "grabs" its tail tracer in the sight of the sight, with the help of which he already accompanies the target, and, by manipulating the guidance handle, seeks to align the missile with the target, thus guiding the ZAR using the "cover the target" method. Angular mismatches between the track of the SAM and the target sighting line are fed into the guidance counting and resolving device, and the commands generated by it are fed to the missile via a radio command transmission station (dimensions 129x152x91 mm), where they are implemented. If the guidance commands are not received on board the missile during the first five seconds of the flight, the self-destruct device is triggered. For safety reasons, special protective clothing is provided for the operator.

The launcher of the complex includes a transport and launch container (TLC) and a firing mechanism. Designed on the principle of minimization of recoil at gunshot, the TPC consists of two cylindrical tubes, with the front having a larger diameter. When the firing is completed, a new missile launcher is attached to the firing mechanism instead of the empty container, and the empty container can be used again. A telescopic stand can be attached to the launcher to facilitate the operator's work. The ZUR transport and launch containers placed in special boxes can be dropped by parachute.

Single-stage anti-aircraft guided missile "Blowpipe" is made on the aerodynamic scheme "duck". The missile has no detachable parts in flight and is unusual in that its nose part, which houses the control system and the fuse, freely rotates along the longitudinal axis relative to the missile body. Stabilizers fastened together in a single unit can move along the missile body. Before the launch, they are in the forward position (in the part of the larger diameter container), after the launch they slide along the rocket body to the rear position, where they are automatically secured with latches. Shrapnel and high-explosive combat unit (weight 2.7-3.6 kg) located in the central part of the SAM is equipped with shock and non-contact infrared fuses.

The RDTT has two traction modes: starting and marching. Launch mode fuel is burned during the movement of the SAM in the PIC (within 0.2 seconds), ensuring that the missile is removed at a safe distance for the operator (about 25 m). After that, the marching mode is automatically activated. To reduce the smoke effect on the march mode, special fuel is used and gases are extracted through special holes. The effective range of the missile is limited by speed and maneuverability in the final flight section after the engine is switched off.

The Blowpipe complex can fire aircraft from the ground, car, ship and underwater from a submarine at periscope depth.

Complex "SLAM" (Submarine-Launched Air Missile System) (see diagram) was developed by the British firm Vickers in the early 1980s for self-defense of 500-1100 tons of submarines from anti-submarine helicopters, aircraft and small surface ships.

The complex includes a stabilized multi-charge launcher with six Blowpipe missiles, a control and guidance system, a television camera, and a monitoring and verification system. Targets are detected by the submarine periscope. Pointing of the "SLAM" launcher at the target along the azimuth is carried out synchronously with the periscope rotation, after that the operator of the complex searches for the target at the corner of the place and takes over the control of the complex by pressing a special button in the pointing handle and disconnecting the drives of the periscope and the "SLAM" launcher. After the launch, the rocket is accompanied by a TV camera and is guided to the target by the operator with the help of the guidance handle.

The azimuth pointing angle is 360°, the angle of position is from -10° to +90°. Guidance accuracy is ± 0.5°. Azimuth rotation speed of the launcher is 40 degrees Celsius, angle of position is 10 degrees Celsius. Application of the complex "SLAM" is allowed at wind speed up to 37 km/h, water temperature from 0 to 55 ° C, sea disturbance up to 4 points.

The SLAM complex was installed on three Israeli Agosta class French-made submarines.