ARMAT

• Is Missile — yes • Name — ARMAT • Origin — France • Type — anti-radar missile • Used By — France Egypt Kuwait Iraq • Engine — solid fuel rocket • Weight — 550 kg • Length — 4.15 m • Diameter — 0.40 m (body) • Wingspan — 1.20 m • Speed — Mach 0.9 (supersonic in dive) • Vehicle Range — 40 - • Filling — 160 kg Semi-Armour Piercing HE • Guidance — Passive radar homing • Launch Platform — Aircraft

Martel was developed as a joint Anglo-French programme in two versions, a TV-guided version, which was only used by the British, and an anti-radar version, which was used by both countries When it came to replace Martel, Britain and France pursued separate programmes, with British Aerospace developing the Sea Eagle anti-ship missile (which used a similar airframe to Martel but powered by a turbojet and with active radar homing and the smaller ALARM anti-radar missile. To meet France's requirements for an anti-radar missile, French company Matra developed the Martel into the ARMAT (Anti-Radar Matra), with work beginning in 1979. This used the same airframe as the Martel, but with a higher impulse rocket motor, and an improved homing seeker and electronics. ARMAT is reported to be provided with several interchangeable homing heads, covering differing frequency ranges (from L- to X band) depending on the likely targets, and can be launched from both high or low altitude, with a range of from 40 km to 120 km reported. The missile has a high subsonic speed, and is supersonic in a dive. It carries a warhead of 150 kg to 160 kg.

Iraq took an early interest in the development of ARMAT, and used the missile during the Iran–Iraq War, entering Iraqi service in 1982. ARMAT entered service with the French Air Force in 1984. ARMAT has been cleared for carriage on the Mirage F.1, Mirage 2000, SEPECAT Jaguar fighters and attack aircraft and the Bréguet 1150 Atlantic maritime patrol aircraft. In 1988, an improved version, called MARS, was proposed. French ARMATs may have been upgraded in the early 1990s.