ERYX
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| ERYX | |
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| Type | Anti-tank |
| Place of origin | France and Canada |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1994 |
| Used by | Canadian Forces, French, Norwegian armies |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | MBDA |
| Produced | 1989 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 10.2 kg (13 kg with launcher, Firing post weight 4.5 kg) |
| Length | 0.905 m |
| Diameter | 0.136 m |
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| Warhead | 137 mm diameter 3.6 kg tandem HEAT (penetrating 0.9 m through RHA behind reactive armour, or 2.5 m through concrete) |
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| Operational range |
50–600 m |
| Speed | 18 m/s (65 km/h) at launch to 245 m/s (880 km/h) at 600 m |
| Guidance system |
SACLOS wire |
| Launch platform |
Individual, Vehicle |
ERYX is a short-range portable SACLOS-based wire-guided anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) produced by European company MBDA. It is used by several countries, including the Canadian Forces, French, and Norwegian armies. The weapon can also be used against bunkers and pillboxes. It also has some capability in the anti aircraft role to bring down low flying helicopters, due to its wire guided system.
Contents |
[edit] Development
An agreement was reached in 1989 between the French and Canadian governments to co-produce the ERYX missile system. It entered service in 1994.
[edit] Description
The missile uses a low-speed "soft launch" that enables it to be fired from confined spaces. This enables it to be used effectively in an urban setting. The missile is then accelerated by a sustainer motor to its maximum speed of 245 meters per second at 600 meters, which it reaches in 4.3 seconds. The missile's initial low speed is controlled by use of thrust vectoring; the missile has two exhausts around the mid section which fire as the missile rotates.
The missile uses SACLOS guidance, the launcher tracks a light source on the rear of the missile and compares its position with the centre of the launcher's cross-hair, sending corrective signals down a trailing control wire. The missile increases resistance to jamming by pulsing the light source on the rear of the missile.
The missile uses two "tandem" warheads in order to defeat reactive armour; a small warhead at the front of the missile and a larger warhead at the rear.
According to MBDA claims the missile has achieved a hit rate of 95%, based on 1,000 test firings.
