Vesper missile

Vesper ATGM
Type	Anti-tank missile
Place of origin	Arthurista
Service history
In service	1997-present
Production history
Manufacturer	Arthuristan Dynamics
Variants	see text
Specifications
Weight	Vesper-L: 24kg (Sealed missile launch tube round + thermal command-launch unit) plus 3kg (optional tripod), Vesper-NLOS: 70kg
Diameter	170mm (missile plus launcher)
Warhead	Tandem shaped charge
Detonation mechanism	impact
Engine	solid fuel rocket
Operational range	4.5km (Vesper-L), 25km (Vesper-NLOS)
Speed	Subsonic
Guidance system	Thermal imaging
Launch platform	Infantry, vehicles, helicopter, fixed-wing aircrafts

The Vesper missile is an Arthuristan top-attack anti-tank weapon. It was first introduced in the late-90s.

Vesper-L

The Vesper-L is an infantry man-portable anti-tank missile, designed to replace the Vanguard missile. Unlike its predecessor, which was a wire-guided weapon, the Vesper is a fire-and-forget top-attack ordnance which utilises thermal-imaging guidance. The missile, together with its launch-tube, is issued as a water-proof sealed round. The launch tube is attached to a Command-Launch Unit ('CLU') prior to launch, and is discarded after launch. The CLU, which contains a CO2-cooled thermal-imaging system, is then re-used.

In typical Arthuristan armoured infantry deployment, two Vesper missile tubes are attached to a Sharpshooter Remote Weapon System of each Claymore Infantry Fighting Vehicle. These missiles may be fired while the vehicle is on the move. A CLU is carried in the cabin and a missile may be detached from the RWS, attached to the CLU and be deployed with the dismounted infantry section.

Vesper-NLOS

The Vesper-NLOS is a variant designed for beyond-the-horizon precision engagement of armoured vehicles and other point targets up to a range of 25km. Compared to the Vesper-L, it features longer, cruciform wings and an enlarged airframe. Equipped with a fibre-optic datalink, the launch unit may provide real-time mid-course guidance to the missile in-flight. In the alternative, it may autonomously seek and engage targets using its on-board seeker. The main launch platform for these munitions is the Battleaxe-MCV.