GAM-4R Hurricane
From AuroraWiki
The GAM-4R Hurricane is a guided anti-aircraft missile designed to be launched from fighter-interceptor air superiority aircraft. The missile's nickname comes from the distinctive smoke trail it leaves when fired. Manufactured by Odessa's General Aviation Ltd., the GAM-4R is the first practical guided anti-aircraft missile. The GAM-4R uses a semi-active radio and acoustic echoing (RAE) homing to guide the missile to it's target. The original GAM-4 was actually unguided contrary to the missile's model designation.
Although deployed in as small a battery as four on the A-53 Demon, the GAM-4R is more typically installed in two batteries of 12. This permits a standard operating operating procedure of using salvos of four missiles to ensure a hit on and destruction of enemy aircraft. The missile has an effective range of 1,000 meters (1,094 yards) which is beyond the normal range of typical aircraft weapon systems.
The main body of the rocket consists of a simple steel tube with flip-out fins on the tail for stabilization. There are two explosive charge configurations. The standard 55 mm (2.16 in) PB-3 warhead with a 0.4 kg (0.88 lb) charge is for anti-aircraft use. A larger shaped charge warhead can be used in an anti-tank role.
An infra-red homing so-called fire-and-forget model of the GAM-4R is under development. Fielding on the GAM-4P (for the passive infra-red seeking homing guidance system) is expected in the near future. The GAM-4P is currently in testing.
