Thales STARStreak

History of the Thales STARStreak

The Starstreak is a British short-range surface-to-air missile that can be used as a Man-Portable Air Defence System (MANPADS) or heavier, developed by Belfast, Northern Ireland Thales Air Defense Systems (formerly Shorts Missile Systems). It is also known as Starstreak HVM (High Velocity Missile).

Portable missile systems are designed to be carried on foot or in vehicles and can be shoulder-launched. After launch, a STARStreak rocket rapidly accelerated to Mach 4about 3,000 miles per hour. This is the fastest surface-to-air missile ever made.

The technology of these weapons goes further, the rocket launcher has three sub-munitions and then three laser beams. This means that each missile has a secondary chance for the submunition to hit its target via laser guidance.

Starstreak has served in the British Army since 1997. In 2012, Thales relaunched the system as ForceSHIELD.

Specification

BASICS

Year of Operation

1997

Origins

UK

Categories

Human Portable Shoulder-Launched Air Defense Missile System

Manufacturer

Thales Air Defense Ltd UK

Operator

South Africa; Thailand; Ukraine; United Kingdom

ROLLERS

Air Defense

Able to attack low-flying threats from the air.

Dimensions and Weight

Overall Length

1,400 mm

55. 12 inches

Barrel length

1,400 mm

55. 12 inches

Cured weight

37.48 lbs

17.00 kg

Attractions

Integrated optics.

Action

SACLOS leader; single-shot

Cartridges and Paper Feeds

Caliber*

130 mm

Circle/Feed

Single shot; reusable starter

POWER

Maximum efficiency. Arrived

16,400 feet

(4,999 m | 5,467 m)

VARIANTS

Starstreak The name of the base series. Starstreak Mark II Eastreak Starstreak AvengerATASKLMLSP HVMTHOR MMS