Hobson delivers STARStreak Land Rover-based launcher vehicle
Thales’ contract with the Indonesian Ministry of Defence was announced on 15th January 2014.
In addition to the supply of STARStreak short-range air defence missiles, the system comprises CONTROLMaster200 radar and weapon coordination systems, RAPIDRanger mobile weapon systems and Lightweight Multiple Launchers (LML), as well as associated communications, training and support equipment.
The launcher system consists of a launcher platform and three Missile Pods mounted on a standard Land Rover Defender 110 Xtreme Duty (XD) vehicle. The standard rear body has been reconfigured to Military XD Standard to accommodate the launcher and stowage requirements for three missile pods. The weight of the system is 2190kgs, with 960kgs additional payload allowance, thus there was no requirement to uprate the vehicle suspension system.
The cab of the vehicle has been fitted with Romag blast resistant glass windscreen with the rear of the cab protected by a specially designed reinforced panel with air conditioning installed to provide positive cab pressure and prevent the egress of any missile debris on launch.
Hobson Industries designed a new launch unit and firing head to allow the missile to be fired either from the vehicle or in a dismount mode. A 24v power supply developed by Hobson Industries is mounted in the cab to power the system and the radio fit. The launcher platform has four retractable/adjustable legs to provide the system with a deployable launch platform. The height adjustable sighting/launch system is mounted on a traversing pintle assemble. The launcher platform was designed by Hobson Industries to be manufactured and fitted in country by Indonesian sub-contractor PT Len under the Offset Requirements required under the Thales contract. Test firings of the system have been carried out by Thales Missile Systems in Northern Ireland and marked yet another programme first.
Peter Hobson, Managing Director of Hobson Industries, said, “Hobson Industries’ extensive knowledge of the Land Rover platform made us the obvious choice to fulfil this complex task for Thales. We were delighted to win the contract to develop the prototype and follow-on vehicle requirement. The close working relationship between the Hobsons and Thales programme teams delivered the system within budget and well ahead of the programme delivery expectation; a tribute to industry partnering delivering the system from the first design conception meeting to successful completion of firing acceptance trials in just 63 working days. We continue to work with our opposite numbers at Thales and PT Len to ensure the smooth transition of the platform system to in-country installation in Indonesia. Hobson Industries is committed to support the vehicle and the platform throughout its service life providing Post Design Services and Support through its Land Rover Legacy Military Fleet Support Programme.”
The STARStreak vehicle has been on display at DVD being held at the Millbrook Proving Ground (24-25 June 2014).
