Crotale missile
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Crotales are also percussion instruments.
The Thomson CSF Matra Crotale EDIR (Ecartométrie Différentielle InfraRouge, InfraRed Differential Ecartometry) is an all-weather short-range anti-air missile, which can be used to intercept low-flight anti-ship missiles and aircraft. It exists in two versions, a mobile land-based version and a ship-launched one.
The firing system includes the main sensors of the ship, the firing system of the turret, and a central coordination system. The turret holds eight missiles ready for launch in watertight containers. The magazine behind the turret holds 18 missiles.
Currently there are several countries that operate the Crotale missile. The first was South Africa, followed by France, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrein, Finland, Oman and Greece. China developed the HQ-7 SAM system, essentially an improved copy of the Crotale.
For Saudi Arabia, Thomson-CSF (now Thales[link]) developed a specific version of the Crotale known as "Shahine". The main visible differences are a) the carrier (an AMX 30 armored carrier instead of the non protected classic carrier), and b) a six missile firing unit (instead of four). The purpose of the changes was to allow the Shahine firing and acquisition units to follow and protect the armored units of the Saudi Armed Forces on the battle field. Interestingly, the Shahine units were among the first vehicles to liberate Kuwait City in February 1991. This was widely publicized (but not on purpose) by the NEWSWEEK magazine front cover picture at the time.
Specifications
- Length 2.89 m
- Diameter 0.15 m
- Wing span 0.54 m
- Launch Weight 84 kg
- Guidance Command Control
- Warhead 15 kg
- Max speed 750 m/s
- Max altitude 5,500 m
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