| Starburst | |
|---|---|
 Sample of Starburst | |
| Type | Man-portable air-defense system |
| Place of origin | United Kingdom |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1990 to present[1] |
| Used by | SeeOperators |
| Wars | Gulf War[2] |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Thales Air Defence andThomson-CSF |
| Manufacturer | Thales Air Defence |
| Produced | 1986 to 2001[1] |
| No. built | 13,389[1] |
| Variants | SeeVariants |
| Specifications (Missile) | |
| Mass | Missile: 15.2 kilograms (34 lb)[1] Launcher: 8.5 kilograms (19 lb)[1] |
| Length | 139 centimetres (55 in)[1] |
| Diameter | 197 millimetres (7.8 in)[1] |
| Muzzle velocity | Mach 2[1] |
| Effective firing range | 0.5–7 kilometres (0.19–4.35 mi)[1][3] |
| Sights | Optical sight[4] |
| Warhead | High explosive fragmentation[5] |
| Warhead weight | 2.74 kg[4] |
Guidance system | Beam-riding[5] |
Starburst is a British man-portablesurface-to-air missile produced byShorts Missile Systems ofBelfast (since 2002 known asThales Air Defence). It was used by theBritish Army (as Javelin S15),Malaysian Armed Forces, and in theCanadian Army as the Javelin until 2005. It can be fired from a single-fire shoulder launcher or from a launcher known as Starburst LML (Lightweight Multiple Launcher). These launchers can also be mounted on vehicles.
Development on the Starburst began in the mid-1980s to meet a requirement by the BritishMinistry of Defense. The missile was a development of theJavelin missile, retaining the Javelin missile body but replacing theradio command system with abeam-riding guidance similar to that used by theStarstreak missile that was already under development. This is much more difficult tojam than the radio-based system used by Javelin. The targeting system itself was developed byThomson-CSF (now also a part of Thales Air Defense). The first shoulder-launched test firing took place in 1986 and development was completed in 1989.[4]
The base form of the Starburst consists of two components– the missile in its launching tube and the clip-on targeting system. The missile itself has a two-stagemotor that can be configured to detonate byproximity or oncontact. The firing tube needs to be discarded after use, but the targeting system (developed by French electronics corporation Thomson-CSF) is reusable.[4] The missile in its sealed container has a ten-yearshelf life.[6]
In 1989 the Starburst was accepted into British service and the first deliveries were made. It entered active service in 1990 and was deployed to protect British troops during the 1991 Gulf War. Notably, the system was deployed with the 10th (Assaye) Air Defense Battery of the40th Regiment Royal Artillery.[4]
The Starburst LML (Lightweight multiple launcher) is similar to the standard unit but uses three canistered missiles instead of the single missile on the base system. It retains the same clip-on aiming system.[4]
The Starburst VML (Vehicle multiple launcher), also referred to as the LML (V), is the vehicle-mounted version of the Starburst LML. It is almost identical to the similar vehicle mounting system for the Javelin missile, where aturret ring is fitted on to a vehicle's hatch opening and includes its own integrated hatch cover. The turret ring can traverse ±40° relative to its mounting point and includes a handgrip and frictionalbrake to allow the turret to precisely track a target.[4][7] The VML has been mounted on the chassis of theLand Rover4x4.[8]
The Starburst NML (Naval multiple launcher) is a version of the VML able to be placed on larger armored vehicles. The system consists of a leightweight tubular turret with a total of eight missiles assisted by optical andthermal imaging systems to allow operations during day and night. The NML has been fit on theM113 andStormer HVMAPCs.[8][9]
With the cooperation of the defense company Radamec Defence Systems, Thomson-CSF and Thales developed the Starburst SR2000. This version is a turreted launcher able to fire six missiles with the Radamec 2400 electronic optical detection system. This system can detect and escort aircraft-type targets at ranges of up to 15 km day and night.[8]
Canada[10]
Kuwait
Malaysia
Qatar[10]
Thailand[10]
United Kingdom
Korea[16]