RandomGuy99
Thanks for that, clears up something I could never make sense of.
Comes from a 1970s MOD film which shows a whole squadron carrying out a practice strike. The commentator is at pains to show the Martel as wire guided.
Probably military disinformation - unless he got confused with the Wessex 5 Junglies, which did have wired missiles.
I think the film was of 12 squadron - that one with the Vangelis score
The "wire" is probably the antenna on the missile, but it's not connected to the aircraft.
Wire-guided missiles on helicopters are a type of anti-tank or precision-guided munition that remain connected to the launch platform (the helicopter) via a thin wire during flight. This system allows the operator to guide the missile all the way to the target using real-time input. Here's how they work in detail:
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### 🔧 Basic Components
1. **Missile** – Carries a warhead, propulsion, control surfaces, and guidance electronics.
2. **Wire Spool** – A long, extremely thin wire (often made of materials like copper or steel) is wound on the missile and unspools as it flies.
3. **Launcher** – Mounted on the helicopter, provides the initial launch force and communicates with the missile.
4. **Guidance System** – Typically SACLOS (Semi-Automatic Command to Line of Sight), meaning the operator keeps the crosshairs on the target, and the missile is guided automatically to follow.
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### 🚁 Step-by-Step Operation
1. **Target Acquisition**
* The operator (gunner) uses optical sights or infrared sensors to identify and lock onto a target.
2. **Launch**
* The missile is fired from a launcher on the helicopter.
* The wire begins to unspool behind the missile as it flies.
3. **Mid-Flight Guidance**
* The operator keeps the target centered in their sight.
* The system calculates how far off the missile is from the line of sight and sends correction signals through the wire.
* Small control surfaces on the missile adjust its trajectory in response.
4. **Impact**
* Once the missile reaches the target, the warhead detonates (usually a shaped charge to penetrate armor).
* The wire is often severed or burns up just before impact.
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### 📌 Key Features & Limitations
**Advantages:**
* **High Accuracy:** Constant correction allows precision targeting.
* **ECM Resistance:** Not easily jammed because the wire can't be electronically interfered with.
* **Low Cost:** Simpler electronics than fully autonomous guidance systems.
**Limitations:**
* **Shorter Range:** Typically a few kilometers (e.g., TOW missile \~3.75 km max).
* **Vulnerability:** The helicopter must maintain visual contact and line-of-sight, often requiring it to hover or stay exposed.
* **Wire Limits:** Can be snapped by obstacles or if the missile maneuvers too aggressively.
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### 🔍 Examples of Wire-Guided Missiles Used by Helicopters
* **BGM-71 TOW** – Used on AH-1 Cobra variants and other platforms.
* **9M114 Shturm (AT-6 Spiral)** – Soviet equivalent, used on Mi-24 Hind.
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### ⚠️ Modern Trend
While wire-guided systems were widely used, modern helicopters increasingly favor **fire-and-forget** or **laser-guided** missiles like the AGM-114 Hellfire, which allow the aircraft to break contact and maneuver immediately after firing.
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Let me know if you want diagrams or animations to visualize how it works.
