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Nord SS.11


Harpon


Overview

SS-11 missile

SS-11 missile being launched from French army AMX-13 light tank.
Source: hybenamon @ www.photobucket.com - © copyright lies with original owner

Origin
France
Type
Anti-tank missile
Entered service
1958
Status
Obsolete
Development
1953 - 1956
Developer
France - Nord Aviation
Production
1956 - 1980's
Producer
France - Nord Aviation (until 1970)
France - Aérospatiale (since 1970)
India
Germany
United States
Unit cost
$ 1.900 in the late 1960's
Number produced
180.000
Designations
Nord-5210 (manufacturer designation)
AGM-22 (SS-11 in US service)

Description

Introduction

The SS-11 is an early Cold War era anti-tank missile of French origin. It was developed by Nord in the mid 1950's as a more capable follow on to the SS-10. The SS-11 can be considered a product improved version of the SS-10. There are ground and air launched versions, which may feature a variety of warheads.

Design

The SS-11 is based on the design of the SS-11. It is a short cylindrical missile with four large fixed wings. A solid fuel rocket with two nozzles provides propulsion. The SS-11 is a wire guided missile with MCLOS guidance. The Harpon variant has SACLOS guidance that results in much improved accuracy.

Firepower

The SS-11 has a much improved range over the SS-10 of 3 km. The penetration is 600mm RHA, which is enough to disable early Cold War era tanks from any angle. Besides the HEAT warhead for use against tanks there are special warheads for anti-personnel and anti-ship use.

Platforms

The SS-11 can be employed in the infantry role from launch boxes. Additionally it has been fitted to a variety of combat vehicles such as the VLRA utility vehicle and AMX-13 light tank. The AS-11 model is used in the air to surface role from helicopters such as the Alouette III. The SS-11(M) is used on patrol craft to engage vessels and shore targets.

Users

The SS-11 was adopted by France and a variety of Western nations and nations with close ties to France. It was produced in large numbers and during the early Cold War stages was one of the most proliferated anti-tank missiles. The SS-11 was replaced by a variety of newer anti-tank missiles such as the Milan, HOT and TOW. Nowadays it is considered obsolete and its use is very limited.

Media

Variants

Missile variants

SS.11
Anti-tank missile for use on ground mounted launchers and vehicles.
AS.11
Air launched version of the SS-11.
SS.11(M)
Maritime version for use on patrol vessels.
Harpon
An updated version of the SS-11 with SACLOS guidance. Introduced in 1967.

Warhead options

Type 140AC
Standard single HEAT warhead for use against tanks with 600mm RHA penetration.
Type 140AP02
HE-Frag warhead for bunker busting. Has 10mm RHA penetration and explodes 2 m later.
Type 140AP59
HE-Frag warhead for use against personnel in the open.
Type 140CCN
Warhead for use against ships used on the SS-11(M).
Inert
Inert practice warhead, indicated by blue color.

Details

Facts SS.11
General
Origin
France
Type
Anti-tank guided missile
Dimensions
Weight
29.9 kg
Diameter
164 mm
Wingspan
0.50 m
Length
1.21 m
Guidance
Method
Wire guidance
Operating mode
MCLOS
Warhead
Model
Type 140AC
Weight
6.8 kg
Type
Single HEAT
Penetration
600 mm RHA
Propulsion
Engine
Solid propellant rocket motor
Range
3 km maximum
0.5 km minimum
Speed
190 - 220 m/s maximum
100 m/s at launch

Related articles

Nord AS.12

The AS.12 is a larger variant of the AS.11 with heavier warhead.

Read more about Nord AS.12