Quote:
Originally Posted by kcdusk
Could an anti-air missile (Javelin) be used to shoot at a tank for example?
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The British Blowpipe AA Missile uses a Manual Command Line of Sight targeting system (hereafter MCLOS) where the pilot "flys" the missile to a target using a "thumbstick control" (exactly like the old radio controlled cars & airplanes). This system COULD hit a tank if the operator can get his sight on it.
The British Javelin AA Missile uses a Semi-Automatic Command Line of Sight (hereafter SACLOS) guidance system where the operator just has to keep the target in his sights and the guidance computer will fly the missile to the target. This system would probably have the same chance of hitting a ground target as the MCLOS system because the computer can get "confused" by what it is "seeing" when the target is too close to the ground.
The British StarStreak AA Missile uses a SACLOS system that is a laser guided "beam-rider." The operator puts his sights on the target and designates it with a laser. The missile just follows the beam to the target.
This system WAS DESIGNED FROM THE START to be able to hit a ground target and it has proven that it can do just that.
I would make hitting a helicopter at NOE (nap-of-earth) ONE LEVEL HARDER than an AA target and a ground target TWO LEVELS harder from a dedicated MCLOS or SACLOS AA launcher. For the record, my hit probabilities With these three weapon systems are:
Blowpipe MCLOS: Difficult (0.5 X skill) for a snap shot.
Javelin SACLOS: Average (1 X skill) for a snap shot.
StarStreak SACLOS: Routine (1.5 X skill) for a snap shot.