New missile can ‘loiter in sky’

Press, 22 October 1986, Page 14

New missile can ‘loiter in sky’

NZPA-AAP London British Aerospace and Australian Government defence scientists had developed a “Super Ikara” anti-submarine missile which can “loiter in the sky,” the "Sunday Express” newspaper said. "Once launched, it could track its target, change course to follow it or circle while awaiting the signal to strike,” the newspaper said. “The missile can be .launched from surface ships as small as a patrol boat and can be operated by one man. “Successful flights have been made in Australia” and “the vehicle will be manufactured in Australian factories but British Aerospace will produce the launch equipment, guidance system and ship-

borne command and control technology,” the paper said. Naval experts believe that the weapon, capable of being fired from offshore oil rigs and platforms, could be used to protect vital North Sea Oil supplies. The Super Ikara was being developed at British, Aerospace’s Naval Weapons Division in Bristol and “has order potential with the British, Australian and Brazilian navies.”

Control of the Super Ikara could be maintained from the launch vessel or given to other ships or helicopters. It would carry a range of light-weight torpedoes and could engage submarines up to 100 km from the launch point.