ARMAT
{{for|the 2022 film|Armat}}
{{Infobox weapon
|is_missile=yes
|name=ARMAT
|image=
|caption=
|origin=France
|type=anti-radar missile
|used_by= France
Egypt
Kuwait
Iraq
|manufacturer=
|unit_cost=
|propellant=
|production_date=
|service=
|engine=solid fuel{{Broken anchor|date=2024-06-27|bot=User:Cewbot/log/20201008/configuration|target_link=Rocket propellant#Solid propellants|reason= The anchor (Solid propellants) has been deleted.}} rocket
|weight={{convert|550|kg|abbr=on}}Freidman 1997, p. 224.
|length={{convert|4.15|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|height=
|diameter={{convert|0.40|m|in|abbr=on}} (body)
|wingspan={{convert|1.20|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|speed=Mach 0.9 (supersonic in dive)
|vehicle_range={{convert|40|-|120|km|abbr=on}}
|ceiling=
|altitude=
|filling= {{convert|160|kg|lb|abbr=on}} Semi-Armour Piercing HE
|guidance=Passive radar homing
|detonation=
|launch_platform=Aircraft
}}
ARMAT is a French anti-radar missile. It is a development of the Anglo-French Martel. It was adopted by the French Air Force and exported to several other countries, and has been used in combat by Iraq.
Development
Martel was developed as a joint Anglo-French programme in two versions, a TV-guided version, which was only used by the British, and an anti-radar version, which was used by both countries{{sfn|Pretty|1983|p=189}}{{sfn|Hewson|2003|p=154}} When it came to replace Martel, Britain and France pursued separate programmes, with British Aerospace developing the Sea Eagle anti-ship missile (which used a similar airframe to Martel but powered by a turbojet and with active radar homing and the smaller ALARM anti-radar missile.{{sfn|Friedman|1997|pp=248–249}}{{sfn|Hewson|2003|pp=238–241}} To meet France's requirements for an anti-radar missile, French company Matra developed the Martel into the ARMAT (Anti-Radar Matra),{{sfn|Friedman|1997|p=224}}{{sfn|Hewson|2003|p=143}} with work beginning in 1979.{{sfn|de Guillebon Le Fana de l'Aviation February 2017|p=20}} This used the same airframe as the Martel, but with a higher impulse rocket motor,{{sfn|Friedman|1997|p=224}} and an improved homing seeker and electronics.{{sfn|Hewson|2003|p=143}}
ARMAT is reported to be provided with several interchangeable homing heads, covering differing frequency ranges (from L- to X band) depending on the likely targets,{{sfn|Hewson|2003|p=143}} and can be launched from both high or low altitude,{{sfn|Hewson|2003|p=143}} with a range of from {{convert|40|km|mi nmi|abbr=on}} to {{convert|120|km|mi nmi|abbr=on}} reported.{{sfn|Friedman|1997|p=224}} The missile has a high subsonic speed, and is supersonic in a dive.{{sfn|Friedman|1997|p=224}} It carries a warhead of {{convert|150|kg|lb|abbr=on}}{{sfn|Hewson|2003|p=143}} to {{convert|160|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.{{sfn|Friedman|1997|p=224}}
Operational history
Iraq took an early interest in the development of ARMAT,{{sfn|de Guillebon Le Fana de l'Aviation February 2017|p=18}} and used the missile during the Iran–Iraq War,{{sfn|Hewson|2003|p=143}} entering Iraqi service in 1982.{{sfn|de Guillebon Le Fana de l'Aviation April 2017|p=64}} ARMAT entered service with the French Air Force in 1984.{{sfn|Hewson|2003|p=143}}
ARMAT has been cleared for carriage on the Mirage F.1, Mirage 2000, SEPECAT Jaguar fighters and attack aircraft and the Bréguet 1150 Atlantic maritime patrol aircraft.{{sfn|Hewson|2003|p=143}} In 1988, an improved version, called MARS, was proposed.{{sfn|Hewson|2003|p=143}} French ARMATs may have been upgraded in the early 1990s.{{sfn|Hewson|2003|p=143}}
References
{{Reflist}}
Notes
- {{cite book |last=Friedman |first=Norman |author-link=Norman Friedman |title=The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapons Systems 1997–98 |year=1997 |location=Annapolis, Maryland, US |publisher=Naval Institute Press |isbn=1-55750-268-4 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l-DzknmTgDUC&dq=ARMAT+missile&pg=PA224 }}
- {{cite magazine |last=de Guillebon |first=Hugues |title=Les programmes secrets avec l'Irak, 1977–1984: Le "Bazar" de Bagdad: Première partie |magazine=Le Fana de l'Aviation |date=February 2017 |issue=567 |pages=16–31 |language=fr |issn=0757-4169 |ref={{harvid|de Guillebon Le Fana de l'Aviation February 2017}}}}
- {{cite magazine |last=de Guillebon |first=Hugues |title=Les programmes secrets avec l'Irak, 1977–1984: Le "Bazar" de Bagdad: Troisième partie et fin |magazine=Le Fana de l'Aviation |date=April 2017 |issue=569 |pages=58–75 |language=fr |issn=0757-4169 |ref={{harvid|de Guillebon Le Fana de l'Aviation April 2017}}}}
- {{cite book |editor-last=Hewson |editor-first=Robert |title=Jane's Air-Launched Weapons |issue=41 |year=2003 |location=Coulsdon, UK |publisher=Jane's Information Group |isbn=0-7106-0866-7}}
- {{cite book |editor-last=Pretty |editor-first=Ronald T |title=Jane's Weapon Systems 1983–84 |year=1983 |location=London |publisher=Jane's Yearbooks |isbn=0-7106-0776-8}}
- {{cite magazine |last=Richardson |first=Doug |title=World Missile Directory |magazine=Flight International |date=1 October 1988 |pages=33–71 |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1988/1988%20-%202803.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305152857/https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1988/1988%20-%202803.html |archive-date=5 March 2016}}
External links
- [http://www.deagel.com/Anti-Radiation-Missiles/Armat_a002033001.aspx Ancile]
- [http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Air-Launched-Weapons/ARMAT-France.html Defense & Security Intelligence & Analysis: IHS Jane's | IHS]
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
Category:Anti-radiation missiles of France
Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1980s