Starstreak

[George K]

Link to video

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starstreak

Starstreak is a British short range man-portable air-defence system (MANPADS) manufactured by Thales Air Defence (formerly Shorts Missile Systems), in Belfast. It is also known as Starstreak HVM (High Velocity Missile). After launch, the missile accelerates to more than Mach 4,[4][unreliable source?] making it the fastest short-range surface-to-air missile in the world.[5] It then launches three laser beam-riding submunitions, increasing the likelihood of a successful hit on the target. Starstreak has been in service with the British Army since 1997. In 2012, Thales rebranded the system under the ForceSHIELD banner.

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. Four metres (thirteen feet) away from the operator, when the missile is a safe distance away, the second stage fires, which rapidly accelerates the missile to burn out velocity of more than Mach 4. As the second stage burns out, three dart sub-munitions are released.

Starstreak has a number of advantages over infrared homing guided, radar homing guided, and radio command guidance MCLOS/SACLOS (e.g. Blowpipe or Javelin) missiles:

It cannot be jammed by infrared countermeasures or radar/radio countermeasures.[10]
It cannot be suppressed with anti-radar missiles.

[Klaus]

Can these weapons take out full blown fighter jets? Or only slow-moving things like helicopters?

I'd imagine that jets are too fast and generally fly too high, but I have no clue.

[LuFins Dad]

This post is deleted!

[LuFins Dad]

@Klaus said in Starstreak:

Can these weapons take out full blown fighter jets? Or only slow-moving things like helicopters?

I'd imagine that jets are too fast and generally fly too high, but I have no clue.

Short answer? Fighter Jets aren’t really a concern to boots on the ground. They are Air Superiority vehicles, meant to knock down the enemy’s assault helicopters, bombers, and transports as well as protect their own from enemy fighters. But the real threat are the bombers and the ground assault forces. Against those, these missiles can have a huge impact.

[Copper]

@Klaus said in Starstreak:

Can these weapons take out full blown fighter jets?

Based on a few ballpark numbers I'd say maybe

For sub-sonic bombers I'd say yes

Mach 4 is roughly 267,944 feet per minute

If the plane is flying at 30,000 feet

At Mach 4 it would take about 9 seconds to go 30,000 feet

Mig 25 max speed is around Mach 2.5

[Jolly]

Attack helicopters and this should be very wary:

Service ceiling of 23,000 feet, max cruise of 513 knots. Analogous to the A-10 Warthog as far as mission profile goes.

Supersonic jets leave a lot to be desired as close combat support aircraft, and we do it much better than they do.