TARTAR SURFACE TO AIR MISSILE

HISTORY

The Terrier area-defence missile was developed from the technology involved in the Talos missile programme, but actually preceded that missile into service. Compared with Talos the Terrier was much more compact, being small enough to be fitted aboard the missile frigates or large destroyers that were being constructed to carry missile systems. Since the start of its development in 1949, the Terrier has evolved gradually over the years with only one major component at a time varied to produce new variants. The original Mach 1.8 beam-riding missile was designated BW-0 (later RIM-2A) with range limits of 18.5 km ( 1 1.5 miles) and altitude limits of 1525-15240 m

(5,000-50,000 ft). The next version, the BW-1 (RIM-2B), was a re-engineered BW-0 but had no significant performance improvements in either  range or altitude. In 1956 there entered service the BT-3 (RIM-2C) with new tail controls, improved beam-riding guidance and a new motor propellant. The improvements increased the velocity to Mach 3 and the range and maximum altitude limit by 50 per cent. This was rapidly followed by the BT-3A (RIM2D), which added a surface-to-surface capability to the Terrier system when it entered service in 1958 and increased the SAM range to 37 km (23 miles). A nuclear version with the 1kiloton yield W45 fission type warhead was also produced alongside this variant and designated BT-3(N); in its redesignated RIM-2D(N) form this version is still in service on a number of US Navy ships equipped with the Standard SM-1/SM-2ER system. The last planned variant, the HT-3 (RIM-2E), entered service one year earlier than the BT-3 and introduced continuous- ' wave semi-active homing as the guidance mode, which increased its low altitude engagement capability and improved the single-shot kill capability figure by over 30 per cent compared with those of the beam-riding variants. The last HT-3 versions, delivered in the mid-1960s, were fitted with a new sustainer and power supply that raised the range to 74 km (46 miles); these missiles were then designated RIM-2F. Production of the Terrier ended in 1966 after some 8,000 rounds of all marks had been manufactured. The conventional warhead versions have now mostly been superseded by variants of the Standard missile.

In 1952 a need was appreciated for a semi-active homing missile as a complement to the larger systems to engage low-flying targets and to replace the 127-mm (5-in) gun mount on a one-for-one basis. The result was the basic version of the Mach 1.8 Tartar missile (RIM-24A), which was effective between ranges of 1.85 and 13.7 km ( 1. 15 and 8.5 miles) and altitude limits of 15 and 16765 m (50 and 55,000 ft). However, a Product Improved Tartar was soon sought, the Improved Tartar (RIM-24B) version entering service in 1963. This had a range increase to 32.5 km (20.2 miles) and an upper altitude engagement limit of 21335 m

('Io,000 ft). It also has a useful surface-to-surface anti-ship capability. About 6, 500 rounds were produced, and most countries that were supplied with the type (Australia, France, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands and West Germany in addition to the USA) have now converted to the Standard missile.

Specification RIM-2D(N) Terrier

Type: medium-range area-defence missile

Dimensions: length of missile 4.115 m ( 13 ft 6 in) and of booster 7.874 m (25 ft 10 in); diameter of missile 0.343 m ( 1 ft 1.5 in) and of booster 0.457 m ( 1 ft 6 in); span of missile 1.074 m (3 ft 6 3 in) Weights~ missile 535.2 kg ( 1,180 Ib)~ booster 825.5 kg ( 1,8201b); warhead W45 1-kiloton nuclear

Performance: maximum speed Mach 3; range 37 km (23 miles); altitude limits 152-24385 m (500-80,000 ft)

Specification RIM-24B Improved Tartar

Type: medium-range area-defence missile

Dimensions: length 4. 724 m ( 15 ft 6 in); diameter 0.343 m ( 13.5 in); span 0.610 m (2 ft 0 in)

Weights: total round 594.2 kg (1,3101b); warhead? HE Performance: maximum speed Mach 1.8; range 32.375 km (20. 1 miles) altitude limits 15-21335 m (50-70,000 ft)