AS 15 TT

• Name — AS.15 TT • Origin — France • Type — Anti-shipping missile • Is Missile — yes • Service — 1985 - • Used By — Saudi Arabia (main user) • Wars — Gulf War • Design Date — mid 1970s • Manufacturer — Aérospatiale • Unit Cost — $295 000 (1992) • Production Date — 1985- • Number — 306 • Weight — 96 kg • Length — 2.16 m • Width — 0.564 m • Diameter — 0.185 m • Filling — HE, semi-perforating • Filling Weight — 30 kg • Detonation — impact fuze • Engine — Two SNPE Anubis CMDB booster (launch) One SNPE Acis CDB sustainer motor (cruise) • Vehicle Range — 15,000 m • Altitude — Sea-skimming • Speed — 1,008 km/h • Guidance — Radio command guidance (remote control guidance)

In the 1970s two Aerospatiale programs were started to examine potential replacements for the AS.12 missile. These were the radar guided AS 15 TT and the AM 10 LASSO (Light anti-surface semi-automatic optical), which were both publicly revealed in 1976 and 1977 respectively. Development of the AM 10 was halted in 1978 when it became apparent that the optically tracked missile had less potential than the radar-guided one. The first live firing was conducted in 1981. Helicopter integration began in 1982 and was completed in the second half of 1983. Development was completed in June 1985. A ship launched version of the missile, designated MM 15 was shown at the 1984 Farnborough Air Show, and later the 1992 Singapore air show, firing trials were reportedly conducted in 1993. A coastal defense version of the missile has also been offered by Aerospatiale.

The missile entered service with Saudi Arabia in 1985, and 365 of the missiles were ordered. The AS-15TT missile was relatively similar to the British Sea Skua missile; both were meant to replace the AS-12, both were very small anti-ship missiles, and up to four examples were used with small helicopters (Lynx and Dauphin). The AS-15TT, with a characteristic red colour (Sea Skua was often white), was, in comparison to the British rival, smaller, slimmer, lighter and with a different type of guidance. However, unlike Sea Skua, its only guidance was by the Agrion 15 radar, without the flexibility of the other system, and was, therefore, less successful in the market. Both the missiles were also offered unsuccessfully as surface-surface models (the Kuwaiti Navy being the only operator of either missile in the surface-to-surface role, using Sea Skuas aboard its fast attack craft). Sea Skua also had the advantage of being 'combat proven' (Falklands) and in service with the Royal Navy, while the French Navy did not have it in service, so it was produced apparently only for Saudi Arabia.

During the Gulf War, the Royal Saudi Navy reported firing 15 missiles against 5 Iraqi patrol boats.

• Illustration — Map with AS 15 TT operators in blue

• Bahrain: 20 missiles, for Dauphin helicopters aboard fast attack crafts. • Chile: For Dauphin helicopters. • France: The missile never entered service in its country of origin. Only about 32 missiles were bought for the French Navy, for trials. • Iraq: 60 missiles ordered in 1989, probably never delivered. • Israel: For Dauphin helicopters. • Saudi Arabia: First order for 221 missiles in 1988, with a total delivery of 254. Used on AS565 Panther helicopters, aboard Al-Madinah-class frigates and shore bases. • United Arab Emirates: New order in 1994, to equip seven AS565 Panther helicopters.