Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!usc!apple!veritas!amdcad!amdcad!military
From: Robert_Bell@mindlink.bc.ca (Robert Bell)
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Re: Future of SAM
Message-ID: <1991May7.062324.12399@amd.com>
Date: 5 May 91 05:49:47 GMT
Sender: military@amd.com
Organization: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
Lines: 22
Approved: military@amd.com


From: Robert_Bell@mindlink.bc.ca (Robert Bell)


I used to be sam technician in the British Army and i have yet to see a
low level sam system better than the British Aerospace RAPIER system.  It
comes in towed and tracked versions and is very accurate.  We used to
test fire them against towed drones which were approximately the same
size as HARM missiles and achieved kill rates in the upper 90% range.

Rapier uses radar to locate the target but can also use optical and
thermal tracking, in fact the radar can be switched off completely and
the target acquired optically by a helmet tergeting system.  Tracked
Rapier is highly manouverable,it takes less than a minute from coming
to a complete standstill to get off the first missile.  There are also
newer version coming out like Rapier 2000.  These systems also tend to be
backed up by the javlin shoulder launched sam and 7.62 gpmg's.

--
Robert Bell                       uunet!van_bc!rsoft!mindlink!a1076
Benndorf-Verster                  a1076@mindlink.uucp
Vancouver Canada                  voice 604-853-5870