RBS-15 Missile

RBS-15

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RBS-15
RBS-15 on right
Type	Fire-and-forget anti-ship and land attack
Place of origin	Sweden
Service history
In service	1985- present
Used by	See operators
Production history
Manufacturer	Saab Bofors Dynamics, Diehl BGT Defence
Specifications
Weight	800 kg
Length	4.33 m
Diameter	50 cm
Warhead	200 kg HE blast and pre-fragmented
Detonation mechanism	impact or proximity
Engine	turbojet
Wingspan	1.4 m
Operational range	250 km
Flight altitude	sea skimming
Speed	subsonic
Guidance system	inertial, GPS, active radar (J band)
Launch platform	naval ships, aircraft and land-based missile launchers

The RBS-15 (Robotsystem 15) is a long-range fire-and-forget surface-to-surface and air-to-surface, anti-ship missile. The later version Mk. III has the ability to attack land targets as well. The missile was developed by the Swedish company Saab Bofors Dynamics.

History

The Swedish Navy was pioneering anti-ship missiles with the Halland Class of destroyers using the RB08 missile since the early 1960s. Owing to the Defence decision of 1958 the main effect for the navy was a restructuring into a lighter force consisting of FAC vessels and a halt to destroyer procurement. This posed a problem as the existing RB08 missile required launch rails and a missile magazine in the destroyers, taking up space that was simply not there on smaller ships. Adding to the problems, each missile had to be individually prepared for launch and only two missiles could be on the launch rails at the same time. In comparison, the STYX missile used by the Soviet Union (which was the expected adversary) stored the missiles in individual containers on deck which left the missiles immediately available for launch. Tests were carried out on Plejad class FACs with a single bow mounted RB08 in the late 1960s, but these tests came to nothing.

HMS Smaland, radar and two RB 08 Missiles

The origin of the missile was an attempt by SAAB to take an order for anti-ship missiles to equip the Norrköping class FACs of the Swedish navy. The missile was first presented in 1978 as under the project name "RB 04 Turbo" a development of the air force RB 04E missile with a turbofan engine changed wing configurations and start rockets to take off from land. The initial proposal was rejected as inferior to the Harpoon. The project under the leadership of Hans Ahlinder then worked out a proposal for a missile with greater capabilities and superior performance to the Harpoon. As a way to indicate that it was a new weapon the project name was changed from "RB 04 Turbo" to "RBS-15"

RB04 Missile

 

The first weapon contract was signed in 1979, at the last minute the Swedish government had opted not to buy the Harpoon anti-ship missile and opting for an indigenous design. The first missiles were delivered to the Navy in June of 1984, and the ship version RBS-15 Mk. I was introduced.

RBS-15 Mk 1 on Swedish 

 

Missile Boat HMS Västervik

The missile had been ordered in 1984 by the Swedish Navy to develop a coastal defense version of the RBS-15F. The missile was taken into Swedish Navy service as the Rb 15 by the Swedish Navy and became operational in 1985. The Swedish Air Force received their missiles a couple of years later. The Mk. I was produced from 1985 to 1990.

Work on a further developed version, the RBS-15 Mk. II, was initiated in the early 1980s. But it took until 1994, before a development contract was signed for the upgraded anti-ship missile. The Mk. II has the same range (70+ km), but the mid-course and terminal guidance system, as well as the radar and IR signature were upgraded. The Mk. II has been produced since 1998.

The development of the RBS-15 Mk. III began in the mid-1990s. Emphasis was put on increased range (due to larger fuel capacity and new fuel the range has been increased to some 200 km), improved accuracy (integrated GPS) and selectable priority targeting, which improved the weapon system's flexibility. The Mk. III missile will also be produced by Diehl BGT Defence of Germany for the new class of German stealth corvettes, and is likely to be later used on other German Navy vessels as well. Finnish truck maker Sisu produces missile launch trucks for RBS-15. The Mk. III has been in production since 2004.

Development phase

The missile was developed from the RB 04 missile that was used by the Swedish air force. The front of the missile was retained, including the warhead, but the rear received new wings and a turbofan engine replaced the rocket previously used. The RBS-15 underwent trials on the missile FAC HMS Piteå from 1983 and became operational with the Swedish Navy in 1985. The Västergötland class submarines were projected to have 4 vertical missile launch tubes for RBS-15 missiles in an extended hull but this was canceled due to budget constraints and it didn't fit the way Swedish submarines operated.

Versions

RBS-15 Mk. I

Powered by a French Microturbo TRI-60 engine, with a thrust of 3.73 kN (380 khp/830 lbf). Range 70+ km

RBS-15F

An Mk. I adapted for air launch. Entered service in 1989.

RBS-15 Mk. II

Range 70+ km. Designed to be launched from a number of different platforms, such as land-based launchers, aircraft, and ships.

RBS-15SF

Mk. II version for Finland. Local designation MTO 85 (Meritorjuntaohjus 1985)

RBS-15 Mk. III

Range 200 km, with land attack capability. There is only a ship launched version. Production started in 2004. New Oval launch tubes instead of the old box type.

RBS-15SF-3

Both new Mk. IIIs and upgraded Mk. IIs, which have been upgraded to Mk. III standard. Finnish designation MTO 85M

RBS-15 Mk. IV

Currently being developed. Incorporates dual seekers, has a longer range and new missile link system. The radar signature has been reduced and its warhead can be changed depending on the mission. Future upgrades may include concept optimization for sea or land targets. The range of the Mk. IV would have to be significantly larger than others versions, over 1 000 km.