FIM-43 Redeye
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| FIM-43 Redeye | |
|---|---|
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| Basic data | |
| Function | MANPAD |
| Manufacturer | Convair, General Dynamics |
| First flight | March 1960 |
| Entered service | 1969 to 1985 |
| General characteristics | |
| Engine | |
| First stage | Booster (Ejector): 3.3 kN (750 lbf) for 0.048 s |
| Second stage | Sustainer: 1.1 kN (250 lbf) for 5.8 s |
| Launch mass | 8.3 kg (18.3 lb) |
| Length | 1.20 m (3 ft 11.5 in) |
| Diameter | 70 mm (2.75 in) |
| Wingspan | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Speed | Mach 1.7 |
| Range | 4,500 m (14,800 ft) |
| Service ceiling | 2,740 m (9,000 ft) |
| Warhead | M222 1.06 kg (2.35 lb) blast-fragmentation |
| Guidance | Passive infra-red homing |
| Fuzes | impact fuse |
| Launch platform | M171 5 kg (11 lb) shoulder launcher |
The General Dynamics FIM-43 Redeye was a man-portable surface-to-air missile system. It used infrared homing to track its target. Production was terminated in September 1969 after about 85,000 rounds had been built - in anticipation of the Redeye II, that would later become the FIM-92 Stinger. The Redeye was withdrawn gradually between 1982 and 1995 as the Stinger was deployed.
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[edit] Development
In 1948 the US Army began looking for new infantry air-defense weapons, as machine guns were proving ineffective against new fast jets. Several gun/rocket systems where investigated but none showed enough promise to pursue. In the mid 1950s Convair began studies of a man portable infrared guided missile. In November 1956 the results of these studies were shown to the US Army and USMC. In 1957 official requirements were formulated, and in 1958 Convair was awarded a contract to start development of the system.
In July 1959 the development project began, in March 1960, the first test rounds were fired. Launches from a launch tube followed in May 1961, with a shoulder launch occurring in 1961. Technical problems prevented the missile entering full production: the missile did not live up to its specifications - being slower, less manoeuverable and less accurate. During the testing, substantial use was made of the Atlantic Research MQR-16 Gunrunner expendable target missile.
Limited production began as XM41 Redeye Block I. The missile was designated XMIM-43A in June 1963. Block I systems where then evaluated between 1965 and 1966.
Block II systems designated XM41E1 began development in 1964, the missile being designated XMIM-43B. The missiles where delivered in April 1966, and included a new gas-cooled detector cell, a slightly redesigned launcher and an improved warhead.
In 1965 to 1966 General Dynamics developed the final Redeye Block III configuration, designated at first XM41E2 with XFIM-43C missiles. The missiles retained the seeker from the Block II missile, but included a new rocket motor, warhead and fuze. The launcher also now had a XM-62 open sight and upgraded electronics. The new missile could turn at up to 3g. And the kill probability against jets was estimated by the army as 0.4. Production of the Block III systems began in May 1967.
In 1968 Block III was finally declared operational.
[edit] History
The Redeye found its way into Afghan hands during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1984, where it shot down a number of aircraft including several Su-25 jets as well as Mi-24 and Mi-8 helicopters. By November 1985 it had largely been replaced by the dramatically more successful FIM-92 Stinger missiles.
[edit] Description
The missile is fired from the M171 missile launcher. First the seeker is cooled to operating temperature, the operator then begins visually tracking the target - using the sight unit on the launcher. Once the target is locked onto by the missile a buzzer in the launcher hand grip begins vibrating, alerting the operator. The operator then presses the trigger, which fires the initial booster stage and launches the missile out of the tube. As the missile leaves the tube spring-loaded fins pop out, 4 stabilizing tail fins at the back of the missile, and two control surfaces at the front of the missile. Once the missile has traveled six meters, the main motor ignites.
The missile's seeker is only capable of tracking the hot exhausts of aircraft, which limits the engagements to tail-chase only. The missile's blast fragmentation warhead is triggered by an impact fuze requiring a direct hit. As a first generation missile it is susceptible to a variety of countermeasures including flares and hot brick jammers. In addition, its inability to manoeuver at a rate greater than 3 G means that it can be simply out turned if it is spotted.
[edit] Variants
- Block I FIM-43/XFIM-43A/XMIM-43A
- Block II FIM-43B/XFIM-43B/XMIM-43B
- XFEM-43B Experimental test missile, with data logging capability
- Block III FIM-43C/XFIM-43C Production version.
- XFEM-43C Experimental test missile, with data logging capability
- FIM-43D Upgraded missile, with unknown capabilities.
