Starstreak vis-a-vis contemporary IR VSHORAD

Isn’t there talk of an upgraded Starstreak? Maybe this is a heavier version more specifically made for a mounted role?

In the private-venture Starstreak II announced last autumn, one dart retains the current circular flight pattern, the second flies a tighter circle offering an increased hit probability against a small target such as a UAV, while the third flies a wider pattern better for use against large targets.

There are many light mounts for MANPADs that can be mounted on light vehicles. I personally think this is the best way to use a weapon like Starstreak. A stabilised magnified optic with a computerised autotracker would be the best option to minimalise all its weaknesses and maximise its strengths.
Of course if you only use it with a light vehicle then a slightly heavier missile with more range might be more useful… perhaps a booster stage to extend range, but then weather conditions might restrict use.

Isn’t there talk of an upgraded Starstreak? Maybe this is a heavier version more specifically made for a mounted role?

I agree, once the “man portable” weight restrictions are removed from a very light missile, it can be tweaked enough to enhance the range and capabilities. I would put my money on the soon to be released LFK NG.

http://www.mbda-systems.com/mbda/site/FO/scripts/siteFO_contenu.php?lang=EN&noeu_id=188

—–JT—–

No proximity fuse in Starstreak

On the down side, the Starstreak darts lack a proximity fuse, requiring to actually hit the target.

I would not be overly confident about the chances of an impact, especially on a beam-riding missile like HVM – and a miss my an inch with no proximity fuse is as good as a miss by a mile!

Three darts of Starstreak clustered within the radius of 1.5 m caters for proximity fuze. It is as good as having proximity fuse of 1.5m.

Other factors favouring Starstreak are the short time-of-flight, and a useful secondary direct-fire capability against ground targets.

Considering the enemies the west tends to pick I am guessing it is this ground target capability that will get the most testing in operational use. Metis-M would be much cheaper and able to handle heavier armour too.

and a miss my an inch with no proximity fuse is as good as a miss by a mile!

Very good point.
Note Igla and Igla-1 don’t have proximity fuses either but Igla-S does. Early tests against antitank missile targets showed that early Iglas got very close but that only 5 out of 9 actually hit such a small target. With Igla-S the proximity fuse was added but I didn’t read of any subsequent tests to verify if how much that improved performance. The Igla-S is supposed to be able to engage cruise missile type targets so needs to be able to engage small starts too.

On the down side, the Starstreak darts lack a proximity fuse, requiring to actually hit the target. The Rapier missile started off with no proximity fuse, based on big talk about its accuracy meaning it wasn’t needed, but as proven in the Falklands, it was a tremendous mistake, and later rectified. I would not be overly confident about the chances of an impact, especially on a beam-riding missile like HVM – and a miss my an inch with no proximity fuse is as good as a miss by a mile!

Other factors favouring Starstreak are the short time-of-flight, and a useful secondary direct-fire capability against ground targets.

There are many light mounts for MANPADs that can be mounted on light vehicles. I personally think this is the best way to use a weapon like Starstreak. A stabilised magnified optic with a computerised autotracker would be the best option to minimalise all its weaknesses and maximise its strengths.
Of course if you only use it with a light vehicle then a slightly heavier missile with more range might be more useful… perhaps a booster stage to extend range, but then weather conditions might restrict use.