MIM-23
Hawk
Unofficial
names/slang: n/a
Function:
Surface-to-air missile defense
Date
deployed: 1962
Contractor:
Raytheon
Unit cost:
approx. $25,000,000/battery
Length
(missile): 12' - 6" (3.81 m)
Wingspan:
unavailable
Diameter:
1' - 1.5"
Speed:
Supersonic
Weight at
launch: 1,400 lbs
Guidance:
Radar directed semi-active homing
Range:
14.9 mi (24 km)
Ceiling:
30,000 ft (9.14 km)
Engine:
Solid
propellant rocket motor
Warhead:
300 pound (136.2 kg) high explosive
Crew: 2
officers, 49 enlisted
Magazine
capacity: 48 missiles per battery
Rate of fire:
1 missile every 3 seconds |
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Mission:
To provide surface-to-air missile defense of
assigned areas of operation or installations
therein, against low and medium air attack.
Features: The system can be divided
into three sections: acquisition, fire control, and
firing sections. Target detection is provided to the
fire control section from pulse and continuous wave
radars for engagement evaluation. Target data can
also be received from remote sensors via data link.
The fire control section locks onto the target with
high-powered tracking radar. A missile or missiles
can be launched manually or in an automatic mode
from the firing section by the fire control section.
Radars and missile have extensive electronic counter
counter measures (ECCM) capabilities.
Background: The Hawk System has been
the Marine Corp's primary air defense since the
early 1960's. The system has maintained it's
effectiveness against succeeding generations of high
technology aircraft through periodic preplanned
product improvement programs. An evolving system,
HAWK is now in its Phase III configuration with
research and development underway to obtain a
tactical missile defense capability.
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