Hawkswing Missile

[pkm594]

Does anybody have any information on the Hawkswing missile. This was a helicopter launched version of the Swingfire missile. It was the British answer to the TOW missile eventually taken into service after battle proving in Vietnam.

The Hawkswing was pretty much the same missile designed to be fired from a conventional tube rather than a box, so it had curved fins.

As usual I am after pictures, technical detail and drawings.

Cheers.

 

[fv1620]

I believe I have two control boxes for the simulator. Would you like a picture? Or better still buy them?!

 

[Beavertail]

As part of their studies on helicopter gunships, in March 1966 the General Staff issued GST.3334 for a new helicopter-launched missile to replace SS.11 starting around 1975. This led to a Swingfire development known as Hawkswing, and later after the BAC purchase, Air Strike Swingfire. When used with the Westland Lynx, the helicopter could carry six missiles, aimed using a sight projecting through the roof.

Lynx XW839 was converted and began testing in September 1974. Testing demonstrated several problems. Among these was a slow initial speed, which caused it to be blown downward by the rotor's downwash. A more serious concern was a lack of range, even with the improved "Somme" rocket motor. While the system worked, in head-to-head comparison with TOW and the Franco-German HOT, Hawkswing came in last. The role was ultimately given to TOW.

From Wikipedia