The AA.20 was a French air-to-air missile, developed by Nord Aviation, and was one of the first of such missiles adopted into service in Western Europe. Production began at Chatillon, France in 1956. Approximately 6,000 missiles of the type were produced, remaining in service until 1960.[1]
The development of the AA.20 missile began in 1953, when the French government placed a contract with SFECMAS, subsequently merged into Nord Aviation. Developed alongside the SS.10anti-tank missile, it was designated the Type 5103.[1] The project's goals were simple; the AA.20 was always regarded as a stepping stone to a more advanced missile,[1] which would materialise as the R.530.[2]
Description
The AA.20 was command guided, using a similar system to that used by Nord's anti-tank missiles,[2] with the missile being steered visually from the launching aircraft. Angled, fixed wings imparted a steady roll rate, while a gyroscope provided information on the orientation of the missile to the control mechanism. At launch, a twin solid rocket booster fired to bring the missile up to speed, after which a single solid-fueled sustainer rocket maintained speed following burnout of the booster. Four interrupter blades, placed around the sustainer motor's nozzle, provided steering, while a flare mounted on the rear of the missile aided in visual tracking for guidance.[1]
The AA.20's warhead was a 23-kilogram (51 lb) blast-fragmentation type, detonated by a proximity fuze set to trigger the warhead at a distance of 15 metres (49 ft) from the target.[1] The range of the 134-kilogram (295 lb) missile was approximately 4 kilometres (2.5 mi). The command guidance of the AA.20 allowed for it to be used in a secondary role as an air-to-surface missile,[3] although it also meant that the missile could not be used at night or in bad weather.[2]
The overall shape of the missile was to be later used on a series of air-to-ground missiles (AS-20 then AS-30, which evolved into the AS-30L laser-guided variant (the first French laser-guided air-to-ground weapon).
AA.25
Aimed at addressing the major flaws of the AA.20, specifically the fact that the missile could not be used at night or in poor weather,[2] the French developed the AA.25, which was essentially a radar-beam riding version of the AA.20, using the target-tracking beam of the CSF Cyrano Ibis radar fitted to the Mirage IIIC.[1] Many AA.20 missiles were converted to AA.25 standard.[1] A further version of the missile, designated the AA.26, with semi-active homing was planned but the competing R.511 missile was adopted instead.
Gunston, Bill (1979). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the World's Rockets & Missiles. London: Salamander Books. ISBN0-517-26870-1.
Ordway, Frederick Ira; Ronald C. Wakeford (1960). International Missile and Spacecraft Guide. New York: McGraw-Hill. ASIN B000MAEGVC.
January 06, 2023
nord, french, missile, developed, nord, aviation, first, such, missiles, adopted, into, service, western, europe, production, began, chatillon, france, 1956, approximately, missiles, type, were, produced, remaining, service, until, 1960, 20aa, mounted, sncase,. The AA 20 was a French air to air missile developed by Nord Aviation and was one of the first of such missiles adopted into service in Western Europe Production began at Chatillon France in 1956 Approximately 6 000 missiles of the type were produced remaining in service until 1960 1 AA 20AA 20 mounted on SNCASE Aquilon fighterTypeAir to air missilePlace of originFranceService historyIn service1956 1960Used byArmee de l AirAeronavaleProduction historyManufacturerNord AviationNo built6 000SpecificationsMass134 kilograms 295 lb Length2 6 metres 8 ft 6 in Diameter0 25 metres 9 8 in WarheadBlast frag high explosiveWarhead weight23 kilograms 51 lb EngineSolid fuel rocketWingspan0 8 metres 2 ft 7 in Operationalrange4 kilometres 2 5 mi Guidancesystemradio command guidance from launching aircraftLaunchplatformMystere IVSuper Mystere B2Fiat G 91 R 4 Mirage IIIC Contents 1 Development 2 Description 3 AA 25 4 Citations 5 BibliographyDevelopment EditThe development of the AA 20 missile began in 1953 when the French government placed a contract with SFECMAS subsequently merged into Nord Aviation Developed alongside the SS 10 anti tank missile it was designated the Type 5103 1 The project s goals were simple the AA 20 was always regarded as a stepping stone to a more advanced missile 1 which would materialise as the R 530 2 Description EditThe AA 20 was command guided using a similar system to that used by Nord s anti tank missiles 2 with the missile being steered visually from the launching aircraft Angled fixed wings imparted a steady roll rate while a gyroscope provided information on the orientation of the missile to the control mechanism At launch a twin solid rocket booster fired to bring the missile up to speed after which a single solid fueled sustainer rocket maintained speed following burnout of the booster Four interrupter blades placed around the sustainer motor s nozzle provided steering while a flare mounted on the rear of the missile aided in visual tracking for guidance 1 The AA 20 s warhead was a 23 kilogram 51 lb blast fragmentation type detonated by a proximity fuze set to trigger the warhead at a distance of 15 metres 49 ft from the target 1 The range of the 134 kilogram 295 lb missile was approximately 4 kilometres 2 5 mi The command guidance of the AA 20 allowed for it to be used in a secondary role as an air to surface missile 3 although it also meant that the missile could not be used at night or in bad weather 2 The overall shape of the missile was to be later used on a series of air to ground missiles AS 20 then AS 30 which evolved into the AS 30L laser guided variant the first French laser guided air to ground weapon AA 25 EditAimed at addressing the major flaws of the AA 20 specifically the fact that the missile could not be used at night or in poor weather 2 the French developed the AA 25 which was essentially a radar beam riding version of the AA 20 using the target tracking beam of the CSF Cyrano Ibis radar fitted to the Mirage IIIC 1 Many AA 20 missiles were converted to AA 25 standard 1 A further version of the missile designated the AA 26 with semi active homing was planned but the competing R 511 missile was adopted instead Citations Edit a b c d e f g Gunston 1979 pp 208 209 a b c d Flight 4 November 1960 p 732 Ordway and Wakeford 1960 p 241 Bibliography EditGunston Bill 1979 The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the World s Rockets amp Missiles London Salamander Books ISBN 0 517 26870 1 Ordway Frederick Ira Ronald C Wakeford 1960 International Missile and Spacecraft Guide New York McGraw Hill ASIN B000MAEGVC Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Nord AA 20 amp oldid 1086679753, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
