In an interview with Defensehere.com, Norbert Cadapeaud, Product Line Manager of Thales introduced the STARStreak Missile.
The STARStreak
In the interview, Norbert Cadapeaud stated that STARStreak is a man-portable, short range air defence system. Also, he revealed that STARStreak is optimised to provide defence against air threats including fixed-wing Fighter Ground Attack aircraft and late unmasking Attack Helicopters.
He stated that the StarStreak is currently in its fifth generation. The fire control system has incorporated significant improvements in target tracking and a reduced training burden. In addition, StarStreak Fire Control Systems can carry a mix of both StarStreak and another of Thales’s missiles, the Lightweight Multirole Missile (LMM) which is optimised to provide additional protection against smaller, slower but highly agile targets, including Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), soft-skinned vehicles, and Fast Inshore Attack Craft (FIAC) when employed in the surface to surface role.
Designed and developed from first principals to engage fast, evasive or heavily armoured pop-up targets, all in a short timeframe, the system is required to travel at exceptionally high speed. The missile itself comprises three tungsten darts, released from a carrier which is powered by a rocket motor. The darts are accelerated to a speed in excess of Mach 3.0 and the fire control system’s laser beam riding guidance ensures exceptional accuracy whilst being almost totally resistant to countermeasures.
Thales is a global technology and defense company with more than 77,000 employees on five continents. The Group is investing in digital and “deep tech” innovations – Big Data, artificial intelligence, connectivity, cybersecurity and quantum technology.
In the markets of defence and security, aerospace and space, digital identity and security, and transport, Thales provides solutions, services and products to help its customers – companies, organisations and governments – to carry out their critical missions.
