Aerospatiale SS.12/AS.12

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NORD SS.12/AS.12
Type ground to ground or air-to-ground missile
Place of origin France
Service history
In service 1960-
Production history
Produced 1957-1982
Number built 10000+
Specifications
Weight 76 kg
Length 1.87 m
Diameter 180 mm (body) 210 mm (warhead)
Warhead 28 kg
Engine solid fuel rocket
Wingspan 650 mm
Operational
range		 7000 m
Speed 370 km/h
Guidance
system		 wire MCLOS
Steering
system		 deflection
Launch
platform		 Helicopter, aircraft

The SS.12 and AS.12 are two variants of the same missile: SS for surface-to-surface, AS for air-to-surface. It was designed in the 1950s by Nord Aviation, later Aérospatiale. It was a derivative of the NORD SS-10 and SS-11 missiles which were air-to-ground wire-guided missiles for use by infantry or a helicopter against armoured vehicles. The SS.12 is used for anti-armour work from helicopters and the AS.12 is commonly used as an anti-shipping missile.

Contents

[edit] Development

The SS.12 was originally intended to be a surface to surface weapon. A naval surface to surface version, the SS.12M was developed at the same time. Trails of the weapon began in 1956. An air launched version, the AS.12, was trialed in 1957.

[edit] Description

The missile has a distinctive bulging nose and four clipped triangular wings. The missile is propelled by a booster rocket that burns for 2.2 seconds, which takes it clear of the launch pylon, and a solid fuel rocket sustainer motor that burns for 28 seconds. The sustainer motor exhausts through two nozzles near the trailing edge of the wings. The wings are positioned at an angle of 1 degree to the direction of flight so that the missile spins, giving it stability. Two rearward-facing flares which ignite on launch make the missile more visible to the aimer during flight.

The missile steers using an internal thrust vectoring system that directs the thrust to either of the two sustainer motor nozzles. Steering signals are sent to the missile by means of two wires which pay out from two spools on the rear of the missile. A gas operated arming mechanism is fed from the sustainer motor, arming the weapon 7.7 seconds after launch.

The average maximum flight time of the missile is approximately 30 seconds giving it a range of 7,000 metres. Missile aimers train using a simulator (T10K) which is a simple device, projecting a beam of light on a predetermined path drawn on a wall-mounted chart. The aimer guides the light beam around the path by means of a standard joystick, attempting to position the beam just above the target five seconds before the end of flight then gently flying the missile/beam down on to the target for final impact.

It must be emphasised that much practice should be carried out on the simulator as it closely resembles the missiles' reaction to signal reception, which has an increasing time delay the further the missile travels.

The missile can be fitted with a three different warheads:

  • OP3C - a semi-armour piercing warhead
  • A shaped charge warhead
  • A fragmentation warhead for anti-personnel use

The semi-armour piercing warhead has a delayed action allowing it to penetrate 20 mm of armour then travel 2 meters beyond before exploding.

[edit] Service

The AS.12 saw action on both sides of the 1982 Falklands War. It was fired from Westland Wasp helicopters against Argentine submarine the ARA Santa Fe. A total of nine missiles were fired at the submarine trapped on the surface by a Mk 46 anti-submarine torpedo circling just under the hull [1]. Of the missiles fired four hit, four missed and one failed to launch. Two of the missiles that hit the target failed to detonate on impact, instead punching a hole through the slender conning tower and exploding on the far side.

In an unusual mission it was fired from a British Westland Wasp helicopter at Port Stanley town hall on 11 June 1982 in an attempt to disrupt a meeting of senior Argentine personnel that took place there every morning. Both missiles that were fired missed.

The AS.12 has been operated from the following aircraft:

[edit] See also

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Falklands Air War, Chris Hobson, ISBN 1-85780-126-1, p.37

[edit] References

  • Falklands Air War, Chris Hobson, ISBN 1-85780-126-1
  • Janes Air Launched Weapons Issue Thirty Six.
  • The Naval Institute Guide To World Naval Weapons Systems
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