ASM-23 Tayra

ASM-23 Tayra
x4 ASM-23 Tubes on an AH-52Y Jaquetón
Type	Air-launched Anti-tank missile
Place of origin	Inyursta Langenia
Service history
In service	2019–present
Used by	Inyurstan Army Inyurstan Navy Langenia
Production history
Designer	Martel Arms
Designed	2015
Manufacturer	Martel Arms
Produced	2018–present
Specifications
Weight	108lb (49kg)
Length	89in (226cm)
Diameter	6.1in (154.9mm)
Warhead weight	9.9kg Tandem-HEAT
Detonation mechanism	Impact
Blast yield	1,300mm RHA Penetration
Propellant	Solid fuel
Operational range	11,300m
Speed	485m/s (Mach 1.4)
Guidance system	SACLOS Laser, Millimeter Microwave (MMW)
Accuracy	<0.5m CEP

The ASM-23 Tayra is an anti-tank guided missile produced in Inyursta. A further development of the GPM-K Pacarána, the Tayra is optimized for air launch and boasts a range of almost twice that of its forefather, depending on altitude. Named for the Tayra, a large and powerful carnivorous mammal; sticking to the theme of the earlier Pacarana while implying a powerful "size up" and sticking to a simple, easy-to-remember moniker.

Development

Need for Heliborne ATGM

A 2013 military inquiry into the Inyurstan Navy & Inyurstan Marine Corps found that guided rockets were not always sufficient to destroy armored vehicle targets. Existing ASM-7 STRIKE missiles (used to attack enemy small boat swarms) were comparatively large for a helicopter to carry, and in practice only 4-6 could reliably be sortied with. Unlike surface fleet defense, close air support (CAS) missions required more ammunition, more time-on-station and greater need for the pilot(s) to be within closer range of enemy vehicles and infantry positions.

The Inyurstan Army would eventually enter the program too, looking to save costs by investing in a domestically produced missile rather than rely on continued AGM-114 Hellfire imports, provided the missile in question offered a fire-and-forget mode.

Features

Like the previous GPM-K missile, the ASM-23 is a supersonic missile, allowing it to engage targets at longer distances (8-11km) quickly while reducing enemy response time to the missile. Its rear-facing receiver also decreases sensitivity to jamming and other soft-kill countermeasures. Both missiles share a >95% parts similarity, with the Tayra being only marginally longer and heavier than its forefather, but with extended range and slightly faster speed due to the physics of air-launch. Martel production plants in Guadalojas, Porte Levesque, and Fjorda De Rivera produce both missiles side-by-side. [X FACILITY] in Langenia also produces the ASM-23 Tayra.

Variants

ASM-23A: Fire-and-forget MMW active radar variant.
ASM-23L: Dual-mode semi-active MMW & SACLOS beam-riding variant.