Multi-platform SAM

The multi-platform SAM is designed to serve as a common replacement missile for various SAM systems, such as the MIM-104 Patriot, the SM-2 Standard family, and others.  It can be launched from ships, ground vehicles, and dedicated fixed launchers.

The missile is designed with two major components:  an upper stage and a booster.  The upper stage contains the seeker, guidance computers, warhead, a rocket motor, and guidance fins.  The booster is a simple solid rocket motor, with four fixed strakes.  Attitude control with the booster is accomplished by thrust-vectoring vanes.  The upper stage can also be fitted with vectoring controls.  After burnout, guidance is provided by four lattice fins at the back of the missile (similar to the Russian R-77/AA-12 "Adder").

Rear quarter view of booster assembly.

Rear quarter view of upper stage, showing lattice fins and vectoring vanes.

At launch, the booster ignites and gets the missile started on the optimum trajectory.  Burnout should occur about 15 seconds after launch, whereupon the booster is jettisoned.  The missile can delay ignition of the upper stage if the guidance system deems it necessary.  Guidance is interchangeable, with 2 separate forms of seeker.  One is an active-radar system, the other is semi-active.  Regardless, both versions would receive midcourse updates until the terminal guidance phase, when the radar either goes active, or the launcher illuminates the target.  An infrared seeker could be developed later as well.

It is not necessary to fit the booster.  The upper stage can be packaged in separate launchers and used for shorter-range engagements.

Upper stage, side view

The missile would normally be packaged in a sealed box cell, able to be fitted to a standard VLS system on board a ship, or to a SAM launcher.  When the booster is attached, each cell would contain one missile.  However, if only the upper stage is loaded, the fins can fold to allow four missiles to fit inside.

Upper stage only, with folded fins.

Dimensions:

	Upper stage	Booster	Complete stack
Length	11 ft 8 in	6 ft	17 ft 8 in
Body Diameter	8.5 in	19.3 in
Fin box, extended	20 in	20 in
Fin box, folded	10 in