The U.K. Ministry of Defence decided to install surface-to-air missiles on the roofs of six London housing complexes to defend the Summer Olympics against airborne threats. Neighbors protested, but a judge denied their petition, so the operation will go ahead. Exactly how much firepower are they putting up there? We have the intel.
Rapier
The Rapier is the standard British Army anti-aircraft weapon. It’s designed to take out supersonic, low-level, high-maneuverability targets. The launcher packs four missiles, as well as all the necessary guidance and surveillance electronics. It can be mounted on vehicles as well as turrets. A proximity fuse detonates the warhead as close to the target as possible.
Designer: British Aircraft Corporation (now BAE Systems)
Entered Service: 1971
Weight: 99.2 lb / 45 kg
Length: 7.3 ft / 2.24 m
Diameter: 0.44 ft / 0.13 m
Wingspan: 0.45 ft / 0/14 m
Speed: Mach 2.5
Range: 1,300 ft – 4.2 mi / 400 – 6,800 m
Max Altitude: 9,800 ft / 3,000 m
Warhead: Fragmentation explosive for close proximity
Detonation Mechanism: Proximity triggered chemical fuse
Starstreak
The Starstreak is a high-velocity missile (HVM) system providing a lighter, more nimble complement to the Rapier. It launches a two-stage rocket. The first gets the missile clear of the launcher, and the second jacks up velocity to Mach 3.5. After the second stage burns out, the missile releases the three “darts” that detonate on direct impact.
Designer:Thales Air Defence
Entered Service: 1986
Weight: 37.1 lb / 16.82 kg
Length: 4.6 ft / 1.4 m
Diameter: 0.44 ft / 0.13 m
Speed: Mach 3.5 (at second stage)
Range: 1,000 ft – 4.3 mi / 300–7,000 m
Max Altitude: 9,800 ft / 3,000 m
Warhead: Three explosive “darts”
Detonation Mechanism: Impact delay
Images via Wikimedia Commons
