The RSD 58 is an early production surface-to-air missile system developed by Contraves-Oerlikon in Switzerland from 1947.[2] Test firings were made in Switzerland and Italy in 1958, and Japan placed a small order for training purposes, but the missile was not produced in high numbers. The missile system was developed from the earlier RSA Missile developed by the same companies.
RSC/D
RSC/D Missile on duplex firing carrier at Militärmuseum Full
Contraves-Oerlikon started design work on guided missiles to supplement their anti-aircraft guns, like the popular 20 mm cannon, in 1947. The company produced a number of designs, including the RSA, culminating in the RSD 58 of 1958.
The RSD 58 was a liquid-fuelled rocket-powered missile, guided to its target by riding a radar beam. The missile body was made of wrapped tubing and sheet with Araldite bonding while the wings were of sandwich construction.[3]
Targeting was by search radar and beam transmitter with targets tracked by a search radar until a beam riding transmitter locked on, at which point the missile could be fired, riding the beam until impact, proximity fuze or radio signal detonation. Launchers, slaved to the beam transmitter could launch missiles at any angle form 10° to 90° at a sustained rate of fire of up to two launches per minute. Control of the missiles was by vectoring rocket motor combustion chamber at launch and controllable rear fins at higher speeds.[3]
The complete system included a battery command post, target tracking radar, guidance beam transmitter and six twin railed trainable launchers and four diesel generator units.[4] The components were carried on single-axle trailers apart from the diesel generators that were built on two-axle trailers. The entire system, including the launchers, was readily transportable to new locations with mobility claimed to be similar to that of a heavy anti-aircraft gun system.
A parachute recoverable training round, the RSC-57, was developed which was powered by a reduced burn time rocket motor with the recovery parachute replacing the warhead.[4]
Operational useedit
There were no significant orders, except for the delivery of a training battery to Japan. The Swiss Air Force instead used the British Bristol Bloodhound. A twin launcher with two missiles and a trailer-mounted radar as used in the system is now at the Full Military Museum and another launcher with two missiles ca be found in the Aviation Museum in Dübendorf.
From 1959, the RSD system was further developed into the RSE, which was also unsuccessfully offered for export under as the Micon.
Taylor, John W.R. FRHistS. ARAeS (1962). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1962-63. London: Sampson, Low, Marston & Co Ltd.
Hogg, Ian: Tykistö- ja ohjusaseet, Karisto, 2011, Hämeenlinna (Translated by: Petri Kortesuo) ISBN978-951-23-5456-6 (s.209) (in Finnish)
Hugo Schneider: Armament and equipment of the Swiss Army since 1817: light and medium anti-aircraft air defence anti-aircraft missiles, Volume 12 of armament and equipment of the Swiss Army since 1817, Author Publisher Stocker-Schmidt, 1982
External linksedit
Flight article 1958
Wikimedia Commons has media related to RSD 58.
April 26, 2024
early, production, surface, missile, system, developed, contraves, oerlikon, switzerland, from, 1947, test, firings, were, made, switzerland, italy, 1958, japan, placed, small, order, training, purposes, missile, produced, high, numbers, missile, system, devel. The RSD 58 is an early production surface to air missile system developed by Contraves Oerlikon in Switzerland from 1947 2 Test firings were made in Switzerland and Italy in 1958 and Japan placed a small order for training purposes but the missile was not produced in high numbers The missile system was developed from the earlier RSA Missile developed by the same companies RSC DRSC D Missile on duplex firing carrier at Militarmuseum FullTypeSurface to air missilePlace of originSwitzerlandService historyIn service1960 Used byJapanProduction historyDesigned1958ManufacturerOerlikon ContravesUnit costbetween 15 000 and 18 000 per round as of June 1959 1 Produced1958 1960SpecificationsMassmissile 400 kg Carrier wagon 4700 kg Communication steering wagon 5500 kgLength6 m 19 ft 8 in Diameter400 mm 15 7 in Wingspan1 346 mm 53 in Crew9 1 operator 8 Charging teamWarhead40 kg warheadEnginenitric acid kerosene mixtureOperationalrange30 000 mFlight ceiling9 000 mMaximum speedMach 2 4 800m s GuidancesystemBeam ridingSteeringsystemcontrol surfacesLaunchplatformvehicle or trailer Contents 1 Design and development 2 Operational use 3 Operators 4 References 4 1 Bibliography 5 External linksDesign and development editContraves Oerlikon started design work on guided missiles to supplement their anti aircraft guns like the popular 20 mm cannon in 1947 The company produced a number of designs including the RSA culminating in the RSD 58 of 1958 The RSD 58 was a liquid fuelled rocket powered missile guided to its target by riding a radar beam The missile body was made of wrapped tubing and sheet with Araldite bonding while the wings were of sandwich construction 3 Targeting was by search radar and beam transmitter with targets tracked by a search radar until a beam riding transmitter locked on at which point the missile could be fired riding the beam until impact proximity fuze or radio signal detonation Launchers slaved to the beam transmitter could launch missiles at any angle form 10 to 90 at a sustained rate of fire of up to two launches per minute Control of the missiles was by vectoring rocket motor combustion chamber at launch and controllable rear fins at higher speeds 3 The complete system included a battery command post target tracking radar guidance beam transmitter and six twin railed trainable launchers and four diesel generator units 4 The components were carried on single axle trailers apart from the diesel generators that were built on two axle trailers The entire system including the launchers was readily transportable to new locations with mobility claimed to be similar to that of a heavy anti aircraft gun system A parachute recoverable training round the RSC 57 was developed which was powered by a reduced burn time rocket motor with the recovery parachute replacing the warhead 4 Operational use editThere were no significant orders except for the delivery of a training battery to Japan The Swiss Air Force instead used the British Bristol Bloodhound A twin launcher with two missiles and a trailer mounted radar as used in the system is now at the Full Military Museum and another launcher with two missiles ca be found in the Aviation Museum in Dubendorf From 1959 the RSD system was further developed into the RSE which was also unsuccessfully offered for export under as the Micon nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp Operators edit nbsp Italy Evaluation only nbsp Japan nbsp Switzerland Evaluation only References edit Swiss Firm Turns Out Most Missiles in Italy Missiles and Rockets June 1 1959 p 22 David A Anderton Swiss Build Mobile Anti Aircraft Missile Aviation Week June 30 1958 a b Missiles 1958 Flight International 5 December 1958 p 894 a b Missiles 1959 Flight International 6 November 1959 p 528 This article includes a list of general references but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations December 2014 Learn how and when to remove this template message Bibliography edit Taylor John W R FRHistS ARAeS 1962 Jane s All the World s Aircraft 1962 63 London Sampson Low Marston amp Co Ltd Hogg Ian Tykisto ja ohjusaseet Karisto 2011 Hameenlinna Translated by Petri Kortesuo ISBN 978 951 23 5456 6 s 209 in Finnish Hugo Schneider Armament and equipment of the Swiss Army since 1817 light and medium anti aircraft air defence anti aircraft missiles Volume 12 of armament and equipment of the Swiss Army since 1817 Author Publisher Stocker Schmidt 1982External links editFlight article 1958 nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to RSD 58 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title RSD 58 amp oldid 1161080068, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
