Super 530
{{Infobox weapon
| is_missile = yes
| name = Matra Super 530
| image = Super_530-plan.png
| image_size = 300
| caption = Its predecessor, the R530, the Super 530F, and the Super 530D missiles
| engine = Solid-fuel rocket motor
| weight = Super 530F: {{cvt|245|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
Super 530D: {{cvt|270|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
| length = Super 530F: {{cvt|3.54|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
Super 530D: {{cvt|3.80|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| diameter = {{cvt|263|mm|in|abbr=on}}
| wingspan = Super 530F: {{cvt|0.88|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
Super 530D: {{cvt|0.62|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| vehicle_range = Super 530F: {{cvt|25|km|mi|abbr=on}}
Super 530D: {{cvt|40|km|mi|abbr=on}}
| filling = {{cvt|30|kg|lb|abbr=on}} high-explosive fragmentation
| guidance = Semi-active radar homing (SARH)
| detonation = Super 530F: RF
Super 530D: Semi-Active Radar
| speed = Super 530F: Mach 4.5
Super 530D: Mach <5.0
}}
The Matra Super 530 is a French short to medium-range air-to-air missile. The Super 530 series is an improved type of the R.530 missile.
- Super 530F is carried on the Dassault Mirage F1. It was introduced in 1979.
- Super 530D is carried on the Dassault Mirage 2000. It was introduced in 1988.
The Super 530F and Super 530D share the same general aerodynamic features and internal layout with cruciform low aspect ratio wings, cruciform aft controls, and 30 kg high explosive fragmentation warhead. However the 530D has a lengthened stainless steel body. This allows it to accommodate a more powerful dual-thrust solid propellant motor and a new seeker assembly. The new seeker includes doppler filtering for improved low altitude performance and digital micro-processing to enable the seeker to be reprogrammed against new threats.{{Cite web|url=http://pakdef.org/r530-and-super-530/|title=R530 and SUPER 530 « PakDef Military Consortium|access-date=2019-07-16}}
The 530D has a claimed maximum interception altitude of {{convert|24400|m|abbr=on}}, with a snap-up capability of {{convert|12200|m|abbr=on}}, and a snap-down capability to targets at {{convert|60|m|abbr=on}}. The missile has a range of 40 km and a maximum speed of less than Mach 5.
The Super 530 is being replaced by the MICA missile.
Operational service
During the Iran-Iraq War, the Iraqi Air Force used Super 530F missiles on their Mirage F1s against Iran.
On 14 September 1983, in an incident that was revealed thirty years later, two Turkish F-100Fs violated Iraqi airspace and one was shot down by an Iraqi Mirage F1EQ firing a Super 530F missile. The Turkish pilots survived and returned to Turkey.{{Cite web|url=https://theaviationist.com/2012/09/06/tuaf-incidents/|title = 30 years later, Ankara admits Turkish Air Force jet was shot down by Iraq|date = 6 September 2012}}
On 15 July 2019, during a police operation in Northern Italy, a functioning Super 530F missile was seized together with firearms. The missile lacked the warhead.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nextquotidiano.it/fabio-del-bergiolo-missile-aria-aria-in-vendita-whatsapp/|title=Vuoi vedere il mio missile? Fabio del Bergiolo e la storia del missile aria-aria in vendita su WhatsApp|date=16 July 2019}} The weapons were smuggled by a group of people connected to far-right neo-fascist movements.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/28976/italian-cops-raid-neo-fascists-and-find-air-to-air-missile-that-france-had-sold-to-qatar|title=Italian Cops Raid Neo-Fascists And Find Air-To-Air Missile That France Had Sold To Qatar|first=Joseph|last=Trevithick|date=July 15, 2019|website=The Drive}} The missile canister indicated it was originally sold to the Qatari armed forces.{{Cite web|url=https://gulfnews.com/world/europe/italy-seizes-missile-from-far-right-sympathisers-1.65243569|title=Italy seizes missile from far-right sympathisers|website=gulfnews.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.lavoixdunord.fr/613602/article/2019-07-15/un-missile-francais-decouvert-chez-des-neonazis-italiens|title = Un missile français découvert chez des néonazis italiens|date = 15 July 2019}}{{cite news | url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/italy-guns-missile-nazi-memorabilia-arrests-far-right-links-ukraine-war-today-turin-2019-07-15/ | title=Italian cops detain 3 men, seize guns, a missile and Nazi plaques | date=July 15, 2019 | website=CBS News}} The original contract date with Qatar was October 1980.{{cite news | url=https://www.newsweek.com/machine-guns-assault-rifles-air-air-missile-seized-neo-nazi-group-italy-1449239 | title=Machine Guns, Assault Rifles and Air-to-Air Missile Seized From Neo-Nazi Group in Italy | author=David Brennan | date=15 July 2019 | magazine=Newsweek | accessdate=15 June 2020}}
A Super 530 missile with a live warhead was discovered at Florida's Lakeland Linder International Airport on 14 August 2020 and had to be removed by explosive ordnance disposal specialists from the U.S. Air Force's 6th Civil Engineering Squadron at nearby MacDill Air Force Base. The missile had been inadvertently shipped to the U.S. defense contractor, Draken International, LLC, an airport tenant.{{cite news | url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/hillsborough/2020/08/17/live-missile-found-at-lakeland-airport-awaits-disposal-at-macdill/ | title=Live missile found at Lakeland airport awaits disposal at MacDill | author=Ileana Najarro | date=18 August 2020 | magazine=Tampa Bay Times | accessdate=19 August 2020}}
Operators
=Current operators=
=Former operators=
- {{FRA}}
- {{BRA}}
- {{Flag|Iraq|1963}} Super 530F{{cite book |last1=Cooper |first1=Tom |last2=Sipos |first2=Milos |title=Iraqi Mirages. The Dassault Mirage Family in Service with the Iraqi Air Force, 1981-1988 |publisher=Helion & Company Publishing |year=2019 |isbn=978-1-912-390311 |page=I}}
- {{ESP}}
- {{JOR}}
- {{KUW}}
- {{QAT}}
- Libya
Similar weapons
- {{lwc|AIM-7 Sparrow}}
- {{lwc|R-23 (missile)|R-23}}
- {{lwc|R-27 (air-to-air missile)|R-27}}