Meer uitleg over het Hawk system, met dank aan Maurice voor de link
THE HAWK SYSTEM
Type: Medium-range, ground-based, solid-propellant, theatre defence missile.
Development:
Development of the MIM-23 HAWK (Homing All the Way Killer) SAM system commenced in 1953. A year later the US Army awarded a full-scale development contract to Raytheon for the missile and Northrop (now Northrop Grumman) to provide the launcher and ground equipment. The first test firing took place in June 1956 with the development phase completed in July 1957. Initial Operational Capability (IOC) of the basic HAWK, MIM-23A, took place in 1960 when the first US Army battalion was activated. In the same year, a NATO Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands and USA for co-production of the system in Europe. In addition, special grant aid arrangements were made to deliver European built systems to Denmark, Greece and Spain. In order to counter advanced threats, especially at low altitude, in 1964 the US Army initiated a modernisation programme known as the HAWK/HIP (HAWK Improvement Programme). This involved a number of changes to the basic system and the updating of the missile to the Improved-HAWK, MIM-23B configuration with a larger warhead, an improved small guidance package and a higher performance motor. US Army and Marine Corps HAWK battalions were subsequently retrofitted to the I-HAWK standard by 1978 and successive missile improvements have been designated MIM-23C/D/E/F/G/H/J/K/L/M. In 1974 an enlarged NATO consortium (including Denmark and Greece) awarded Raytheon a contract for co-production of I-HAWK components in Europe. In 1977 the USA started a second modernisation programme under the designation HAWK-PIP (Product Improvement Plan). This involved three phases: the PIP Phase 1 being fielded by the US forces in 1979 and including an Improved CW Acquisition Radar (ICWAR) AN/MPQ-55 transmitter to double the output power and increase detection range; the addition of digital Moving Target Indication (MTI) to the Improved Pulse Acquisition Radar (IPAR) AN/MPQ-50; and the inclusion of Army Tactical Data Link (ATDL) communications within the system. The Phase 2 upgrade modifications were approved for production in 1983 and these improved the reliability of the Improved High Powered Illumination (IHPI) AN/MPQ-46 radar by replacing valve circuitry with modern solid-state technology. A Tracking Adjunct System (TAS) optical tracking system was added for operation in an ECM environment to the HPI, the Battery Control Centre (BCC) and the Platoon Command Post (PCP). Germany, Netherlands and Norway have modified their HAWK systems with an alternative IR acquisition and tracking system known as the HAWK Electro-Optical Sensor (HEOS) in place of the TAS. The HEOS operates in the 8 to 11 µm band and is used to supplement or to take the place of the HPI to acquire and track targets before missile launch. The Phase 3 upgrade programme, which started development in 1983 and entered production for the US armed forces in 1989, was successfully demonstrated against a simulated tactical ballistic missile target in April 1988. The engagement was initiated by a Patriot tracking radar AN/MPQ-53 and then transferred to the HAWK HPI radar. The Range-Only-Radar (ROR) AN/MPQ-51 and Information Coordination Centre (ICC) have been deleted from the system and the BCC replaced by a Battery Command Post (BCP). Major electronic modifications, which include the addition of distributed microcomputers and improved computer software, were made to the BCP, PCP, CWAR and HPI. However, the major system operational change made by Phase 3 is the addition of a single-screen scan target detection capability and a Low Altitude Simultaneous HAWK Engagement (LASHE) system to the AN/MPQ-61 HPI, by employing a fan beam antenna to provide a wide-angle, low-altitude illumination pattern to allow multiple engagements against saturation raids. A HAWK mobility survivability enhancement programme has been developed following experience in the 1990-91 Gulf War. The aim of this programme has been to reduce the number of vehicles per battery and to increase survivability. Upgrades to the launcher allow missiles to be transported on the launcher itself, as well as replacing electronics with digital equipments. A north finding system speeds orientation and launcher alignment. A field wire replaces heavy cables and allows for greater dispersion amongst battery vehicles. Further work was authorised in 1993 to modify the HAWK launcher and interfaces to enable other missiles, such as the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow, MIM-120 AMRAAM or PAC-3 to be launched from the HAWK system in future years. A Phase 4 upgrade programme was planned to include: a high mobility continuous wave acquisition radar to improve detection of small UAVs; a new engagement radar; ARM decoys; an improved missile motor; an upgraded electro-optical tracker; improved command and control; and ATBM upgrades. The ATBM upgrades were applied to US Marine Corps HAWK systems and will provide modifications to the radars to look upwards and changes to the missile warhead and fuse assemblies to handle faster target velocities. Trials carried out in 1991 used an AN/TPS-59 tactical long-range surveillance radar for initial tracking of ballistic missile targets, to demonstrate linking this radar to HAWK. This programme has continued with successful intercept trials in 1994 and 1996. The AN/TPS-59 radars provide an increased range (475 km) and increased altitude coverage (150 km) against tactical ballistic missiles. The AN/TPS-59 upgrade for the US Marine Corps will also include a communications interface with outside systems, the Air Defence Communications Platform (ADCP), with a JTIDS datalink terminal. Two further developments were made between 1992 and 1996; these are known as the Missile ECM Improvement (MEI) and the Improved Lethality Modification (ILM). Norway has developed its own HAWK upgrade scheme known as the Norwegian Adapted HAWK (NOAH) which involves the lease of I-HAWK launchers, HPI radars and missile loaders from the USA and their integration with Hughes (now Raytheon) Kongsberg Acquisition Radar and Control Systems. The NOAH system became operational in 1983. Future developments were expected to include the introduction of an Agile CW Acquisition Radar (ACWAR), which is an evolution of the HAWK CW radar technology. It would perform full 3-D target acquisition over a 360º azimuth sector and large elevation angles. The ACWAR programme was initiated to meet increasingly severe tactical air defence requirements and the equipment is being designed for operation of HAWK in the late 1990s and beyond. However, the ACWAR programme was terminated in 1993. In 1996 Hughes, Raytheon and Kongsberg announced a US/Norwegian agreement to jointly market a HAWK-AMRAAM system, with the capability to launch up to eight MIM-120 AMRAAM missiles from a modified HAWK launcher. This new system uses the AN/MPQ-64 surveillance radar, the AN/MPQ-46 HPI radar and a Fire Detection Centre connecting to the HAWK command and control system. The HAWK-AMRAAM system can operate with mixed launchers, carrying either three HAWK missiles or eight AMRAAM. This proposal is aimed particularly at HAWK operating countries that also have AIM-120 AMRAAM in their inventory. The Iranian Air Force is reported to have modified a number of MIM-23 HAWK missiles for carriage on F-14 Tomcat fighters in the air-to-air role. Iran has also modified its ground-based HAWK systems for carriage on a convoy of 8×8 wheeled vehicles and adapted the launchers to carry Standard RIM-66 or AGM-78 missiles with two Standard missiles per launcher.
Description :
The HAWK missile has a slender cylindrical body and four long cord clipped delta-wings, extending from mid-body to the slightly tapered boat-tail. Each wing has a trailing-edge control surface. The MIM-23A is 5.08 m long, has a body diameter of 0.37 m, a wing span of 1.21 m and weighs 584 kg at launch with a 45 kg HE blast/fragmentation warhead. It has a minimum engagement range of 2 km, a maximum range of 25 km, a minimum engagement altitude of 60 m and a maximum engagement altitude of 11,000 m. The MIM-23B to M versions are 5.03 m long, have a body diameter of 0.37 m and, with a larger warhead of 54 kg, weigh 638 kg at launch. An improved motor, with a total weight of 395 kg including 295 kg of propellant, increases the maximum range of the MIM-23B to M versions to 35 km and maximum engagement altitude to 18,000 m. The minimum range is reduced to 1.5 km. The MIM-23 B has a peak velocity of around 500 m/sec. Both warheads are fitted with a radio frequency proximity fuse and with impact fuses. All versions of the missile are propelled by dual-thrust solid-propellant motors. The guidance system uses an X-band CW monopulse semi-active radar seeker. The standard Phase 2 MIM-23 I-HAWK battery includes: an HQ with an AN/MPQ-50 pulse/acquisition radar; an AN/MPQ-48 CW acquisition radar; an AN/MPW-51 Range-Only-Radar; an AN/MWS-11 Improved Command Post (ICP); an AN/TWS Battery Control Centre (BCC); and two firing platoons each with an AN/MPQ-46 tracking/illuminating engagement radar and three M192 triple missile launchers. The AN/MPQ-50 Pulse Acquisition Radar (PAR) operates in the C-band and is the primary source of high- to medium-altitude aircraft detection for the battery. The antenna is a 6.7 × 1.4 m elliptical reflector of open lattice construction, mounted on a small two-wheeled trailer. The radar incorporates a Digital Moving Target Indicator (DMTI) to provide sensitive target detection in high clutter areas. The PAR also includes several ECCM features and uses off-the-air tuning of the transmitter. The AN/MPQ-55 Improved CW Acquisition Radar (ICWAR) was introduced by the Phase 1 improvements for aircraft detection at the lowest flyable altitudes in the presence of heavy clutter. During operations the ICWAR and PAR are synchronised in azimuth for ease of target correlation. Other features include FM ranging and BITE. FM is applied on alternate scans of the ICWAR to obtain range information. The AN/MPQ-51 Range-Only-Radar (ROR) is a K-band pulse radar that provides quick response range measurement when other radars are denied range data by enemy countermeasures. The ROR reduces its vulnerability to jamming by transmitting only when designated. The ROR is no longer used in the Phase 3 system. The early AN/MPQ-46 High Power Illuminator (HPI) radars had only the two large dish-type antennas side by side, one to transmit and one to receive. The HPI automatically acquires and tracks designated targets in azimuth, elevation and range. It also serves as an interface unit supplying azimuth and elevation launch angles computed by the Automatic Data Processor (ADP) in the Information Coordination Centre (ICC) for up to three launchers. The HPI J-band energy reflected off the target is also received by the HAWK missile. These returns are compared with the missile reference signal being transmitted directly to the missile by the HPI. Target track is continued throughout missile flight and after intercept, HPI Doppler data is used for kill evaluation. The HPI receives target designations from one or both surveillance radars via the Battery Control Centre (BCC) and automatically searches a given sector for a rapid target lock on. The HPI incorporates ECCM and BITE. Phase 2 HPIs had an optical tracking system added for operation in an ECM environment. This device, called the Tracking Adjunct System (TAS), was positioned on top and between the two radar dishes. The major operational change brought about by Phase 3 to the AN/MPQ-61 HPI is the addition of a single-scan target detection capability and a Low Altitude Simultaneous HAWK Engagement (LASHE) system. This is achieved by employing a fan beam antenna to provide a wide-angle, low-altitude illumination pattern to allow multiple engagements against saturation raids. This antenna is rectangular. The Israelis have upgraded the Phase 2 standard with the addition of a Super Eye electro-optical TV system for detection of aircraft at 30 to 40 km and identification at 17 to 25 km. They have also modified their system for engagements at altitudes up to 24,000 m.
Hier een beetje uitleg over het Hawk systeem, voor de Non Believers of de mensen die twijfelden aan de accuraatheid van het systeem. Voor de Thomassen onder ons.
Operational Status :
The basic MIM-23A HAWK entered service in 1960 and the MIM-23B I-HAWK in 1973. I-HAWK remains in service with the following countries: Bahrain, Belgium, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Kuwait, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates and USA. It is reported that ex-US Army National Guard HAWK systems will be sold to Indonesia. Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands and USA have implemented Phase 1 and Phase 2 improvements. Many of the other countries are following suit. The Phase 3 upgrade programme is in production for Egypt, Greece, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan and the US Marine Corps. A study started in 1996 to upgrade Italian HAWK missiles to the Phase 3 standard. In the early 1980s Israel upgraded its HAWK systems in order to maintain their viability against an increasing threat. This system was used in August 1982 to shoot down a Syrian Air Force MiG-25R Foxbat-B photo-reconnaissance aircraft flying at M2.5 on a high level 21,000 m plus sortie near Jounié, north of Beirut. HAWK missiles defending Kuwait against the Iraqi invasion in August 1990 are reported to have shot down seven aircraft and one helicopter with 12 missiles launched. A US trial firing of two modified HAWK missiles against a short-range ballistic missile was successfully completed in June 1991, using a Patriot AN/MPQ-53 radar feeding data to the HAWK battery via a secure digital datalink. Between 1988 and 1997 there have been 13 tests made firing one or two HAWK missiles against MGM-52 Lance short-range ballistic missile targets, with nine rated as successful intercepts. A modification programme was started by the US Marine Corps in 1992 to improve the performance of AN/TPS-59 radars to enable them to acquire and track tactical ballistic missiles to act as early warning sensors for HAWK batteries transferring target data using a JTIDS link. In 1994 HAWK missiles successfully intercepted two short-range ballistic missile targets, having been cued by an AN/TPS-59 radar at White Sands Missile Range. A test was also successful against a tactical ballistic missile and two low flying cruise missile targets, with simultaneous engagements. These trials also demonstrated the remote engagement section capability, with a launcher and HPI radar located several kilometres forward of the battery command post. It is reported that the US Marine Corps has 1,000 missiles with the MIM-23K ATBM capability and 11 modified AN/TPS-59 radars.
Specifications :
MIM-23B Length: 5.03 m Body diameter: 0.37 m
Launch weight: 638 kg Warhead: 54 kg HE blast/fragmentation
Guidance: Semi-active radar Propulsion: Solid propellant
Range: 35 km
Associated radars :
Surveillance radars:
AN/MPQ-50 (IPAR) Frequency: 500-1,000 MHz (C-band)
Peak power: 1 kW Range: 100 km
AN/MPQ-55 (ICWAR) Frequency: 10-20 GHz (J-band)
Peak power: 400 W Range: 70 km
AN/TPS-50 Frequency: 1.2-1.4 MHz (D-band)
Peak power: 46 kW Range: 475 km
Engagement radar: AN/MPQ-46 (HPI) Frequency: 10-20 GHz (J-band)
Peak power: n/k Range: 40 km
Contractor: Raytheon Defense Systems , Bedford, Massachusetts, USA.
Ik vond het systeem goed in elkaar zitten, deftig gemaakt.
Daar ik zelf technicus ben, hielp ik soms bij de reparatie.
Ik kom uit de industrie en heb in het jaar 2000 zaken gezien van machines die in de USA in elkaar waren geflensd, onze Europese automatisering stond daar tegen over zeker 15 jaar voor!!
Zijn de ruimte tuigen ook op zo'n manier gemaakt, dan is het telkens een wonder dat ze na een missie terug keren uit de ruimte
MVGr.
PapaFreddy
