SGM-761 Ritsuko
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| SGM-761 Ritsuko | |
|---|---|
| File:SGM-761.png Diagram view of the SGM-761 Ritsuko and Common Ordnance Adapter. | |
| Type | Air-to-surface missile |
| Place of origin |  Carthage |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2009-present |
| Used by | Carthage Gensokyo Republic Japan Rhamos |
| Production history | |
| Designer | RMA Corporation |
| Designed | 1999-2012 |
| Manufacturer | RMA Corporation |
| Unit cost | $100,000 (FY2012) |
| Produced | 2009-present |
| No. built | 40,000+ |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 94 kg (207 lb) |
| Length | 2.2 m (7.2 ft) |
| Diameter | 180 mm (7.1 in) |
| Warhead | 8 kg (18 lb) HEAT warhead |
Detonation mechanism | Integrated MMW fuze Backup impact fuse |
| Wingspan | 1.7 mm (0.067 in) |
| Propellant | SHAFT XTJ3E7 Micro-turbojet |
Operational range | 120+ km (75+ mi) (air-to-ground) 100+ km (62 mi) (ground-to-ground) |
| Flight ceiling | 18,000 m (59,000 ft) |
| Speed | 900 km/h (560 mph) |
Guidance system | Millimeter wave sensor Semi-active laser homing Satellite/Inertial w/datalink |
Launch platform | Multi-platform |
The SGM-761 Ritsuko is a multi-platform land-attack missile produced by the RMA Corporation for the Carthage Defense Forces. An outgrowth of the anti-tank SGM-741 Takane developed in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Ritsuko uses the same dual-mode millimeter wave sensor for fire-and-forget capability supplemented by a semi-active laser seeker for man-in-the-loop targeting in cluttered environments. Major differences include the use of a micro-turbojet and folding wings for propulsion for significantly extended range and a control package designed for greater autonomy. Like SGM-741, SGM-761 is designed for deployment from multiple platforms, including fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters but includes support for vertical launch in modular ground- and naval-based cells, improving flexibility.
History
Operational features summary
Description
Seeker
The SGM-761 is guided by a millimeter wave and semi-active laser homing multi-mode seeker. The millimeter wave sensor allows the missile to independently identify, track, and engage targets for fire-and-forget capability. The sensor is also accurate enough to discern target features and select the optimum impact point to maximize effects. In more sensitive environments where the potential for collateral damage is high or rules of engagement are restrictive, the SARH sensor can be used for man-in-the-loop guidance and the missile will engage the designated target.
During the cruise phase, the SGM-761 is guided by an onboard inertial navigation system supported by a satellite navigation receiver. The missile can also be programmed to fly a pre-set course via a series of waypoints to evade known air defenses, or to loiter in a target area until tasked to engage a specific target. Mid-course guidance via datalink is also possible, allowing the launch aircraft to re-route the missile in flight if required by the tactical situation. When operating in fire-and-forget mode, a number of missiles may be fired in rapid salvos, programmed to impact in a staggered fashion and select separate targets.
Fuze
The millimeter wave sensor acts as the primary fuzing mechanism for the SGM-761, enabling it to detonate at the optimum distance to maximize the effectiveness of its tandem-charge HEAT warhead against a range of targets. A backup impact fuze is also carried, in the event the millimeter wave sensor either fails or is spoofed by countermeasures. A timed fuze is also programmed to automatically trigger self-destruction of the missile if a target is not acquired in the terminal phase.
Warhead
The SGM-761 is armed with the same payload as the SGM-741 Takane, an 8-kilogram (18 lb) tandem-charge HEAT warhead. The warhead is designed to defeat armored vehicles up to and including modern main battle tanks protected by explosive reactive armor and incorporates a blast fragmentation sleeve for enhanced effects against soft targets, making the SGM-761 a multi-effect missile. Additional warheads have been developed, including lower-yield concussion munitions for use in constrained areas when collateral damage is a primary concern, but these are more rarely deployed than the standard multi-effect warhead.
Propulsion and control
Unlike the SGM-741 which is powered by a solid-fuel rocket motor to supersonic speeds, the SGM-761 is propelled by a SHAFT ADS XTJ3E7 micro-turbojet, allowing significantly increased range at the cost of reduced speed and slightly increased size. To further improve range, a set of folding wings mounted above the missile body provides additional lift. Additional folding fins provide maneuvering control to engage moving targets on the ground.
A vertical-launch rocket booster is attached to ground and naval variants of the SGM-761. Air-launched variants have increased range over their land or naval counterparts, depending on launch altitude and speed. All variants are capable of ranges in excess of 100 kilometers (62 mi), and the turbojet engine allows the weapon to loiter for an extended period in a target area if required.
Data link
The onboard data link enables the SGM-761 to be re-tasked in flight to engage a different target or updated with new coordinates for an existing maneuvering target if this target falls outside of the missile's original acquisition basket. The data link also enables the missile to receive tasking information from a variety of sources, allowing a missile fired from one platform to be guided to a target designated by another, or centrally controlled by a fire direction center.
Launch platform
The SGM-741 was initially developed as an air-launched stand-off munition for use in conjunction with fighters and ground attack aircraft and can be mounted directly to an aircraft hardpoint or on either the three-round Type 77 launcher or four-round Type 79 launcher. This allows strike aircraft to carry a large payload of ground attack munitions while still retaining hardpoints for air-to-air missiles. The weapon is also sized to fit internally in the weapons bay of most stealth fighters, including the RFM-202 Shaheen, enabling stealth carriage. In 2010, the SGM-741 completed certification for helicopter use, allowing missiles to be carried by and launched from QLR-53 Peltast and QMA-50 Hoplon scout and attack helicopters.
While not originally designed for surface launch, a vertical-launch booster program was started in 2008, with the missile qualified for service in 2011. Vertical launch variants of the SGM-741 are used in the standalone ground-based Common Mobile Launch System and the missile may be quad-packed in standard Mark 18 and Mark 21 naval VLS. A standalone box launcher is in development for light naval craft to improve the firepower of existing small boats.
Operators
- Carthage
- Army of Carthage
- Carthage Air Forces
- Punic Navy
Japan
- Imperial Army
- Imperial Navy
Gensokyo Republic
- Republic Aerospace Corps
- Republic Navy
Rhamos
- Royal Air Force
- Royal Army
- Royal Marines
- Royal Navy