- Raptor weapon
The Raptor
precision-guided glide bomb family was developed byDenel Aerospace based inSouth Africa under the code names H-1, H-2 and H-3 from the late 1970s onwards.Raptor-1
The Raptor-1 is a glide bomb launched from an aircraft. Its modular construction allows it to engage different targets such as airstrips, bunkers, parked aircraft and SAM sites.
It has a TV seeker and folding wings, with a standoff capability of 60 km when released from medium level (30,000 ft). There is a digital datalink between the launch aircraft and the guided bomb. An upgrade to incorporate an INS/GPS guidance system was reported in 1999. The Raptor-1 has a length of 3.65 m, a wing span of 3.7 m, a body diameter of 0.38 m and a launch weight of 980 kg.
Raptor-1 is in service with the South African Air Force. The weapon, is believed to have been used operationally, is a development of the H-1, a TV-guided bomb which was effectively a technology testbed.
Raptor-2
The Raptor-2 is a long range powered glide bomb. It can have TV, imaging IR or active/passive radar seekers. The TV guided version is believed to be operational earlier, with the IIR and radar versions becoming available later. An anti-radiation seeker is also being offered as an alternative guidance option to allow the weapon to be used in the suppression of enemy air defences.
The weapon consist of a Guidance unit, a warhead, a communications pod, pylons, the control equipment and a twin solid fuel motor pack attached to the underside of the guided weapon.
Raptor-2 is similar in body and wing shape to Raptor-1, has a launch weight of 1,200 kg, a standoff capability of 120 km. It has folding wings and twin vertical tails. The solid propellant motor is jettisoned after use. The Raptor 2 can be fitted with both fragmentation and penetration warheads.
It have choice of alternative navigation systems. This may be an autonomous method, using gps-aided ins or way point navigation. Both system are under the weapon operators control at all times.The communications pod may be mounted on th attack aircraft or on a second aircraft which would control the weapons flight at a range of up to 250 km.
Platforms
Both Raptor-1 and Raptor-2 have been integrated on the
Mirage III , F1 andAtlas Cheetah aircraft. The weapon can also be integrated with other suitable aircraft, including theMIG 29 , Sukhoi Su 27 and Su 30, Mirage 2000,Tornado .See also
*
Glide bomb
*Precision-guided munition
*AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon
*HOPE/HOSBO Specification
externalimage|topic=The Raptor |align=right|width=200px
http://www.tecnacorp.com/images/ground2.jpgRaptor-1]
External links
* [http://www.deneldynamics.co.za/home.asp?Page=RaptorII Denel Dynamics Raptor II company page]
* [http://www.tecnacorp.com/weapons_detail.html Tecnacorp ]
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