Blowpipe

Overview

Blowpipe

Canadian soldiers in NBC gear seen in the field with the Blowpipe manportable SAM system during an exercise in 1987.
Source: US DoD - © Public domain

Origin

United Kingdom

Type

Man portable SAM system

Entered service

1975

Status

Limited service

Development

Early 1960's - 1972

Developer

United Kingdom - Shorts Missile Systems

Production

1974 - 1993

Producer

United Kingdom - Shorts Missile Systems

Number produced

34.382 missiles produced, likely including Javelin and possibly Starburst
About 19.000 missiles by 1989 according to other sources

Notable users

United Kingdom
Canada
Ecuador
Argentina

Details

Facts Blowpipe

General

Origin

United Kingdom

Type

Surface to air missile

Dimensions

Length

1.35 m

Diameter

76 mm

Wingspan

275 mm

Weight

11 km missile only

14.5 kg missile in launch tube

6.2 kg aiming unit

Guidance

Guidance mode

Command to light of sight

Warhead

Type

High explosive fragmentation shaped charge warhead

Weight

2.2 kg

Fuse

Impact and proximity

Engagement envelope

Propulsion

Solid propellant rocket motor with booster stage

Speed

Mach 1

Range

3.5 km maximum

0.7 km minimum

Altitude

2.5 km maximum

10 m minimum

Media

Blowpipe

Canadian soldiers in NBC gear seen in the field with the Blowpipe manportable SAM system during an exercise in 1987.

Source: US DoD

Blowpipe

Blowpipe missile on display in a museum.

Source: geni

Blowpipe

Early trails with a prototype Blowpipe system taking place in 1970.

Source: US DoD

Blowpipe

Rear view of a prototype Blowpipe system with laser beam riding fire control unit taking place in 1973. In modified form this guidance mode lead to the Starburst missile, which first entered service in 1990.

Source: US DoD

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