Rapier was a massive disappointment in 1982, partly due to the way the weapons were stowed and carried South, and partly due to a reasonable design oversight in that the launchers were not suitable for operating in soft and boggy ground areas so that the launchers kept moving and sinking into the ground when they were used which had a serious impact on performance. Another good example of the difference between exercises and real world use, prior to going South Rapier had a superb reputation as it’s trials performance was excellent, but in real combat shortcomings not previously considered had a major impact. After the war it was honed and did indeed become a truly world class, superb local air defence system.
One of the problems with Sea Dart and it’s well documented lock ups and failures in 1982 was again a result of tight fistedness in that to save money it was decided to economise on the radar fitted to the Type 42’s and the fire control computers and the interfaces between the radar, fire control and missile were not brilliant. Yet another example of spoiling the ship for a ha’penny of tar 🙁 Design a leading edge missile then decide not to put similar investment into the radar and fire control systems, great.
Feydakin is right about the general unsuitability of many of the weapons employed, one of the biggest myths of the modern era is that in 1982 the British forces enjoyed a crushing technological superiority, when in fact it was quite a well matched contest in terms of equipment and suitability of equipment for the roles it was used for. The difference was the human quality of the British forces and a greater committment and acceptance of losses in pursuit of victory on the British side.
There are certainly alot of myths which surround the Falklands War equipment performance is just one of them. The Argentines were disadvantaged in many repects:
1)Failure by their senior leadership to understand Britains likely reaction and an asumption that they would receive international support for their noble cause.
2)A decision to waste resources putting thousands of conscripts on the Island and placing a General in command who whilst experianced in counter insurgency didn’t have the the correct skills for the tacticul situation.
3)Not lengthening the runway at Port Stanley to allow fighters to operate off the runway despite the steel matting being available on the main land. Many millitary experts and reports (including a well reguarded report by the American millitary) reguard this as one of the single greatest failings by the Argentines.
4)Due to the previous point the Argentine aircraft were forced to operate at there maximum range without decent tanker support from the mainland.
Of course looking back to the British there were many issues and myths arround the conflict some of which has already been covered in this thread.
1)Poor performance of equipment accross the range from ships to weapon systems and infantry kit.
2)Fighting a war with equipment designed for an engagement in the North Atlantic against the Soviets.
3)Lack of decent rapid fire small calibre anti air guns for ships within the fleet making many ships vulnerable to fighter bombers carrying dumb bombs. Ironically many ships were not lost due to the umbrella thrown up by Sea Dart and bravery of the Argentine pilots. They flew too low and launched there bombs too late not allowing them to fuse.
4)Lack of Organic AEW assets!!!
5)Whilst San Carlos was the correct place to land the high hills made it very difficult for the missile systems in the area to operate except for Sea Wolf. Aside from the set up issues with Rapier there just wasn’t enough time for the weapon systems to track and lock onto ships popping over the hill.
Looking aside from these problems and focusing on the Myths whilst Sea Harrier was a decisive War winner (making its retirement all the more crazy)many myths have grown up around it. I have spoken to many people including ex millitary who have attached almost supernatural capabilities to the aircraft. The main factor for its success in the war aside from Sidewinder and the quality of the pilots is the extreme range the Argentine jets were operating at and the unwillingness to engage in air to air combat.
I know that I am missing many points and over simplifying others but nevertheless it is interesting.
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