C-12 Éscouta
| C-12 Éscouta | |
|---|---|
 Illustration of a C-12 missile | |
| Type | Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile (SRAAM) |
| Place of origin |  Inyursta |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1998-present |
| Used by | Inyurstan Air Force Inyurstan Army |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Navayelle Systems |
| Designed | 1995 |
| Manufacturer | Navayelle Systems |
| Produced | 1997-present |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 63kg |
| Length | 1.94m |
Detonation mechanism | Laser proxy fuse Contact (C-12A2 MACE) |
| Propellant | Solid Fuel Propellant |
Operational range | 8-16km |
| Speed | Mach 2.3 |
Guidance system | Infrared Imaging |
The C-12 Éscouta (Inyurstan: Shortsword) is a short-range air-to-air missile, designed primarily for use on helicopters and light aircraft.
Design
In the mid-90's, Navayelle Systems Inc. began conceptualizing the idea of a lightweight, short-range missile. Initial proposals included an indigenous replacement for or complement to the AIM-9 Sidewinder missile, to an all-in-one AAM & SAM. It was later decided that an effective air-to-air armament that could be mutually integrated on helicopters of both eastern and western origin and other light aircraft would be developed.
The Éscouta is capable of performing extremely high-G turns, and it's short range performance has been liked to that of "...an improved AA-8 Aphid...". Later upgrades added an improved rocket booster for increased range and speed.
Missile range is largely dependent upon launch platform speed, for example when launched from a low-altitude hovering helicopter it's effective range is roughly 8km; while theoretically a launch from a higher altitude fixed-wing aircraft would yield a substantially longer effective range.
Service History
A number of C-12 missiles were deployed in both the Inyurstan Intervention in the Lolloh-Ruolnik War and the Greco-Bulgarian War; however, not a single missile was fired in either conflict. So far, the only combat use of the Éscouta was the 1997 shoot-down of a light aircraft during the Red Insurgency. When the plane refused to comply with orders and stop for searching, it was engaged by an Inyurstan Air Guard OA-29 Hognose, which fired two C-12's, the first was a dud and the second sucessfully shot down the resisting aircraft.
Variants
C-12: Standard variant entered production in the late 90's.
C-12A: Upgraded variant adding modern rocket booster and high-discrimination warhead.
TC-12: Captive-carry training missile with inert warhead.
ADM-12T SMDA: (Systèma Modulaire de Defençia d'Aéro) Surface-to-air variant designed for Forward-Area Air Defense (FAAD) vehicles. Operational range is roughly 8km.
C-12A2 MACE: (Modèle d'Aéro-Combatte Éspecial) "Dogfighting" variant designed for the AC-88 Taipan Block II. Features a contact-fuse warhead for situations when the launch plane is potentially too close to the target for a proximity fuse, and high-boron propellant for greater specific impulse (and thus greater maneuverability closer to the edge of effective range). Also features. capacity for x2 fitting to a single pylon for only about 30% additional weight compared to an AIM-9 and only 15% additional weight compared to a C-80 Stilétto - a largely negligible weight increase for potentially twice the ordinance output.