Telum
| Telum | |
|---|---|
 Telum missile | |
| Type | Air-to-air missile |
| Place of origin | Blackhelm Confederacy |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Galaxias Dynamics |
| Produced | since 2012 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 200 lbs. |
| Length | 118 in. |
| Diameter | 6.5 in. |
| Engine | Solid fuel rocket |
| Wingspan | 20 in. |
Operational range | 25 km |
| Speed | Mach 3+ |
Guidance system | dual-color infra-red homing, laser proximity fuse |
Launch platform | Combat aircraft |
The M4A Telum is a modern short-range infrared homing air-to-air missile featuring countermeasures resistance with a 180-degree look angle and 120-degrees per second track rate, developed by the Blackhelm Confederacy’s Galaxias Dynamics. It will equip the Blackhelm Confederate Air Force’s numerous ground attack aircraft, and is expected to be sold to friendly nations in the region as well.
Development
Development of the Telum started in 1995, however it suffered from inadequate funding due to the collapsing state of the Imperial Exponential government. Ground seeker tests were finally concluded in October 2008, while trajectory guidance and agility flight tests were performed in February 20009. Captive flight trials were concluded in March of that year, and first successful in-flight launch from an A-36B Mustang attack plane that April.
In March 2011, Galaxias Dynamics disclosed that the missile, which was to be ready for production by beginning of 2012, entered the qualification phase. Several testing firings at the Galaxias test range were carried out from a Mustang throughout 2011. Final testing included the use of high-speed target drones to simulate an aircraft by towing infrared targets at high speed.
Production
In March 2012 the BCAF ordered an undisclosed number of missiles from Galaxias Dynamics.
Design
The missile seeker can be connected directly to a pilot's Helmet Mounted Display allowing the pilot to track a target beyond the aircraft's radar scan envelope using the missile's high off-boresight capability, achieved by the pilot turning his head towards the target to lock-on, better known as “look and shoot”. The missile can then be launched and can immediately pull extreme g-force to reverse its course in order to engage a target behind the aircraft, sometimes called an "over-the-shoulder" shot. Engage modes include Lock-On After Launch (LOAL) capability to engage targets outside its seeker's acquisition range, and Lock-On Before Launch (LOBL) capability where the target is identified and designated before launch. The two color thermal imaging technology and a laser proximity fuse fitted on the missile provide multiple electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM) techniques with targeting algorithms including advanced spatial filtering techniques and velocity profiling.
The Telum has four major sections: guidance section, warhead, control, and rocket motor. It uses a streamlined design with low aerodynamic drag in a wingless airframe, ensuring ranges beyond those of traditional short-range missiles. It is fitted with a thrust vectoring control (TVC) system to provide agility up to 100 times the force of gravity (100G).
The absence of aluminium powder from the motor propellant inhibits production of a smoke trail, which means no visual warning for enemy aircraft.