Rb 05

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Rb 05A
Type	anti-ship, land attack and air-to-air
Service history
In service	1967
Production history
Manufacturer	Saab-Scania, Missiles and Electronics
Specifications
Weight	305 kg (672 lb)
Length	3.6 m (11.8 ft)
Diameter	0.3 m (11.8 in)

Warhead	160 kg high explosive

Engine	liquid propellant rocket motor
Wingspan	0.8 m (31.5 in)
Operational range	9 km (5.6 mi/4.9 nm)
Speed	supersonic
Guidance system	optical manual command
Launch platform	AJ 37 Viggen

The Rb 05A is a short-range air-to-surface missile that was developed in the 1960s by the Swedish company Saab-Scania, Missiles and Electronics.

1 History
2 Operators
3 External links
4 Similar missiles

[edit] History

The Rb 05A was developed as an anti-ship missile for the AJ 37 Viggen in the late 1960s. The supersonic speed was deemed necessary to reduce the threat of surface-to-air missiles. The missile would usually be launched after a high-speed attack run on very low altitude and climb to 400m for launch. The aircraft would immediately descend again and the pilot guiding the missile optically with a joystick.

Guidance commands are transmitted via a microwave transmission link. Tracking flares on the missile aid the pilot in guiding the missile on target.

It was later discovered that the missile was effective in air-to-air against non-maneuvering aircraft as well.

A TV-guided variant Rb 05B was proposed to the Swedish Air Force in the early 1970s, but was turned down in favor of the AGM-65 Maverick/Rb 75 instead.