Mectron MAR-1

The MAR -1 is a missile tactical type air -surface, Anti -radiation from medium range, with guidance liability radar with multiple bandwidth options to attack systems air defense based on land or on sea platforms.

History
In 1998 The program was started to develop an anti -radiation missile to equip the aircraft-1 (AMX) Of FAB And is expected to 2008 the end of its development.

From the outset the program was conducted by CTA ( General Command of Aerospace Technology ), along with the company Mectron Also of Sao Jose dos Campos, And is currently in testing phase. According to the FAB disclosure, would have been performed tests of separation with the aircraft A- 1B GEEV (Special Group Flight Test) CTA.

A simulated scenario analysis showed that the search head of the MAR -1 is able to detect a radar low power (in the case of an officer shot Skyguard) at distances greater than 500 km.

During this stage of development where it is, it was found that one of the limitations to the use of MAR -1 is the definition of distance - aircraft radar, a parameter essential for a successful launch. This may have led developers to reassess their concepts.

A major difficulty encountered was the lack of a platform girométrica national ( navigation system that " flies " the missile while it seeks the target during their flight ) available for the missile. Such technology is susceptible to embargoes for political and strategic countries that dominate.

This required a project, starting almost from scratch , a block Girométrico Miniature Fiber Optic with three orthogonal axes to provide the on-board computer necessary information from the accelerometers , ensuring the precision missile.

The design of this subsystem was funded by FINEP and conducted by IEAv (Institute of Advanced Studies CTA) And Mectron. Apparently it was completed.

Another obstacle arose in 1999 when the Brazilian government attempted to make a purchase of spiral antennas and some other systems for the development of search head SEA -1 in a manufacturer Las Vegas But the U.S. government vetoed the purchase claiming that "it is interesting to defend American in Brazil to introduce anti- radiation weapons in this region . " Faced with this obstacle, the CTA was seen with only one alternative : to develop locally the search head. This subsystem was developed and then tested with simulators emissions of TS -100 + Excalibur Systems ( 0.5 to 18 GHz) HS -125 aircraft and the Flight Test Division of the CTA, we know even that has been studied by FAB installation of sensors in similar patrol aircraft P -95.

It is likely that two heads are being developed to search for the missile, each for a certain range of frequencies from radar targets. They could be exchanged under the radar to be attacked.

Initially it was hoped that the MAR -1 were derived from MAA-1 Piranha, With necessary adjustments on the sensors and look similar to American AGM-122 Sidearm, Which proved wrong when the disclosure of the first images of the missile. Its proximity fuze was ( or is being) developed by the company Opto Electronics of San Carlos which also participates in the program CBERS in which will be responsible for manufacturing the camera MUX for satellite CBERS -3 able to generate images of 20 meter resolution, and the development of night vision goggles (NVG) to Brazilian Army as well as lenses, mirrors and proximity fuze for a missile MAA and MAA-1B.

The scope that had been published in the specialized press, which gave figures of 25 km for a launch to 30,000 feet, Mectron states: "This is totally out of reality, are given an aerodynamic study that were not updated. The current range , demonstrated in tests, is much, much larger than this, and we will improve it further. To be able to have an idea, recently performed a test with a new engine that was so powerful it melted the exhaust nozzle and the rear portion of the missile , so we had to redesign everything. Now, a real number set and I can not provide . It's confidential . "

According to Brigadier Bueno, the Aeronautics several countries have already requested information on the missile.

The MAR -1 will be employed in the context of war electronics, due to suppression of enemy air defense.

Operators

 * Brazil
 * As creator of the missile, the Brazil will operate these missiles in the F-5M, AMX AL-1, MI-35 and the winner of the FX-2 program (Probably Gripen C and Dassault Rafale as the F/A-18 Hornet probably don't will be adquired becaused problems of technology and Eurofighter Typhoon, SU-35BM and F-35 were disclassified)


 * Pakistan 


 * The government of Pakistan brought 100 MAR-1 missiles from Mectron