Swingfire
Swingfire was a British wire-guided anti-tank missile developed in the 1960s and produced from 1966 until 1993. The name refers to its ability to make a rapid turn of up to ninety degrees after firing to bring it onto the line of the sighting mechanism. This means that the launcher vehicle could be concealed and the operator, using a portable sight, placed at a distance in a more advantageous firing position.
| Swingfire | |
|---|---|
Swingfire launching from a Striker | |
| Type | Anti-tank missile |
| Place of origin | United Kingdom |
| Service history | |
| Used by | See text |
| Production history | |
| Unit cost | £7,600 (1984) |
| Produced | 1966-1993 |
| No. built | 46,650 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 27 kg (60 lb) |
| Length | 1.07 m (3 ft 6 in) |
| Diameter | 0.17 m (6.7 in) |
| Wingspan | 0.39 m (15 in) |
| Warhead | 7 kg HEAT |
Detonation mechanism | Impact |
| Engine | Solid rocket motor |
Operational range | 150 - 4,000 m |
| Flight ceiling | n/a |
| Maximum speed | 185 m/s (610 ft/s) |
Guidance system | Wire, MCLOS/SACLOS |
Steering system | Thrust Vector Control |
Launch platform | Vehicle |
Swingfire entered operational service in 1969 and underwent several major upgrades during its time in service. It was used on a number of vehicles including the FV438, FV102 and several truck mountings including the Land Rover and Ferret armoured car. Concepts adapting it to helicopters, tanks and even hovercraft went nowhere. Swingfire remained in service on the FV102 Striker until 2005 when they were retired in favour of man-portable missiles.