RIM-24 Tartar
A Tartar missile on its launcher on the Cassard frigate
The US-built Tartar missile is an important element of zone defence (here, launched from a US destroyer of the Perry class)
The US-built Tartar SM1 is a medium-range anti-air system. It has a vertical rotating magasine which holds 40 missiles, a Mk13 launcher, 2 SPG 51C tracking radars and a DRBJ11 tridimensionnal radar. Each missile is 4.75 metres long and weights 520 kg. They have a powder engine which produces two thrusts: one for the acceleration, and the second for sustentation.
In the French Navy, the Tartar system was initially installed on the Kersaint, Bouvet, Du Chayla and Dupetit-Thouars fleet escorts. They now are operational on the Cassard and Jean Bart.
Categories: Surface-to-air missiles