Ezpata
| Ezpata surface-to-air missile | |
|---|---|
| File:Ezpata01.jpg | |
| Place of origin | Euskadi |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1999- |
| Used by |
Eusko Itsas Gudarostea Eusko Gudarostea Her Majesty's Navy |
| Production history | |
| Designer | IMSYS |
| Manufacturer | IMSYS |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 170 kg |
| Length | 3320 mm |
| Diameter | 190 mm |
|
| |
| Engine | Solid fuel rocket |
| Wingspan | 500 mm |
Operational range | >60 km |
| Flight ceiling | 8,000 m |
| Speed | Approx. Mach 3 |
Guidance system | All-aspect infra-red, command update fire and forget |
Launch platform | 8 or 16 cell naval version or 4 cell truck mounted land version |
Ezpata (sword) is an Euskadi, vertical launch (VLS) surface-to-air missile (SAM) manufactured by IMSYS and available in infrared homing (Ezpata-IR) and radar homing version (Ezpata-R).
Variants
Ezpata-IR Mk1
Designed for all-round defence against simultaneous air attacks from multiple targets, the Ezpata-IR missile is the first vertically launched infrared-homing surface-to-air missile, also the first IR-homing missile to use lock-on-after-launch. Upon launch, the missile flies to a lock-on point, following on-board inertial navigation. The missile then activates its two-colour IR-seeker and locks on. Target updates are received via data link, enabling the missile to counter evasive manoeuvres by the target.
The Ezpata has a set of tail-mounted, aerodynamic control fins, as well as thrust vectoring vanes in the motor nozzle, allowing for 40 g manoeuvring. The system's 3-D fire-control radar enables simultaneous engagement of eight targets for the naval version. The missile uses a low-smoke propellant to avoid detection.
Extended range versions (Ezpata-ER) are in development. They will feature a rocket booster and IR or Radar seekers.
Ezpata-IR Mk2
This variant of the Ezpata-IR was recently developed for the Eusko Itsas Gudarostea. It has a more advanced seeker-head algorithms for differentiating between the target and background clutter often found in and around the Caribean archipelago. Because of the improvement in the seeker head, the newer version has a more efficient flight path allowing for an increase in range of 3km; a new maximum range of 15km.
IMSYS has stated its intention to end production of the Mk1 and continue with Mk2 version of the missile, as a part of the missile's overall growth path.
Ezpata-R
The radar-homing version's range is extended to 25km and has a higher operational ceiling 12000m. It is also 65kg heavier and 98cm longer than the IR version.