How was the cyclops fiber-guided missile developed?

The study of Cyclops can be traced back to the early 198s. During 1982-1984, MBB Company of West Germany at that time carried out the preliminary principle test of optical fiber guidance by using the modified Mamba missile, with the purpose of verifying the feasibility of optical fiber winding shaft and optical fiber transmitting images and control instructions. The test distance is .9-2.5 km.

in p>1984, the two companies jointly proposed the development plan of cyclops fiber-guided missile. According to this plan, during 1984-1986, the SS-11 (or SS-12M) wire-guided anti-tank missile made in France was further modified to verify the feasibility of two-way communication in several kilometers of optical fiber. The test missile was equipped with a day and night television camera stabilized by a gyro.

From December 1987 to 1989, many full-scale missile launches and flight tests were conducted. The purpose of the test is to verify the application of optical fiber guidance to submarine-to-air missiles and anti-armor missiles, mainly including the optical fiber speed, the ability and quality of two-way information transmission, the transmission distance and the ability of manual guidance.

The test distance is mostly 6.5km, and the maximum is 7km. During the test, the missile warhead was equipped with a TV camera and flew at an altitude of 15 meters and a speed of 15 meters per second.

various data show that when the range reaches 6 kilometers, the video signal still maintains the same performance. The ultimate goal is to increase the guidance distance to 6 kilometers, even 1 kilometers, and the speed to more than 35 meters per second. Since 1989, the German and French governments have provided funds, and the total research and development funds are estimated to be about 175 million US dollars. In 1992, the Italian company Lenya also joined in.

There are two kinds of Cyclops missile programs: submarine-launched and anti-armored. There are many similarities and differences between cyclops dive type and anti-armor type. The missile diameter, range and flight speed are the same, but the missile length, missile weight and warhead weight are different. It is estimated that the optical fibers used for guidance are also different.

apart from the same performance requirements as anti-armor optical fiber, submarine optical fiber may have more special requirements in watertightness and strength. They are also different in launching methods. The anti-armor type adopts vertical launching, while the submarine type adopts oblique launching.

Cyclops fight against anti-submarine patrol planes and helicopters. Its main tactical and technical indicators are as follows: the length of the missile is 1.85 m, the diameter of the missile is 165 mm, the total weight of the missile system is 15 kg (including 62 kg for the carrier and 43 kg for the missile), the combat distance is 1 km, the flight speed is 15 m/s (when searching) and 25 m/s (when attacking), the maximum overload is 15G, and the launching depth is from the submarine's periscope depth to 3 m underwater, and the guidance mode is adopted. The propulsion system adopts solid rocket engine (experimental type) or turbojet engine (production type). 3 kg high explosive warhead.

The design of Cyclops' missiles draws lessons from the shape and structure of wire-guided anti-tank missiles, especially Milan and Holt missiles. The missile adopts a cylindrical body, with four cross-shaped canard wings in the middle to control the direction, and the same four cross-shaped stabilizing wings in the tail, all of which can be folded. The missile is equipped with an infrared or television camera at the head, and the optical fiber spool is installed at the tail and released from it.

The missile's propulsion system uses a solid rocket engine on the test bomb. It is estimated that its production type may adopt turbojet engine of Aerotech Germany or engine of Microturbine Engine Company of France. In order to prevent damage to the optical fiber, the nozzle at the tail of the engine is extended from the side of the missile.

The warhead is equipped with high explosive weighing 3kg, and it is equipped with two kinds of fuses: single-shot fuse and proximity fuse. The guidance system is divided into two parts: the missile and the boat. The two parts transmit video information, various measurement data and command signals by optical fiber.

in the test bomb, the seeker uses a television camera. However, the latest information shows that infrared thermal imaging detectors or millimeter wave detectors may be used in formal products. The latter two detectors have better day and night and all-weather working ability.

although the seeker has a certain influence on the efficiency and material of the weapon system, in principle, the choice of seeker basically does not pose much problem for the fiber-guided missile. Anything that can produce video or signal can be used as a beacon for fiber-optic missiles. The wide-band capability of optical fiber enables it to be used with different sensors-ordinary TV, charge-coupled camera, infrared, radar, millimeter wave, etc.

a seeker that can provide a clear visual image, and enable the launcher to identify the target, track the target and guide the missile to hit the target is of course a necessity for fiber-optic guided missiles. Fortunately, focal plane array technology is progressing rapidly, and its technical risk is very low.

The technology of using nearly 1 sensors as focal plane array will make the fiber-guided missile even more powerful. Although the focal plane array passive infrared sensor can be used in both daytime and nighttime operations, its performance will be reduced by factors such as thick smoke, dense fog, high concentration and heat. It is conceivable that the focal plane array will eventually be replaced by millimeter-wave radar, because millimeter-wave radar can penetrate smoke, fog and heavy rain and is suitable for all kinds of weather operations.