Designation:General Dynamics/Euromissile/BAe
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Type | : | (A,C) | Long range spaceship launched all-purpose missile. |
(B) | Long range spaceship launched nuclear missile. | ||
Service history | : | (A) | 2010-2016, RDF Spacy. |
(B) | 2010-2023, RDF Spacy.
2019-2033, SC TSC. 2023- , REF Navy. |
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(C) | 2015-2023, RDF Spacy.
2019-2033, SC TSC. 2023- , REF Navy. |
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Length | : | 320 cm. | |
Diameter | : | 45 cm. | |
Wingspan | : | None. | |
Weight | : | (A, C) | 590 kg. |
(B) | 579 kg. | ||
Warhead | : | (A,C) | Directed blast fragmentation. |
(B) | W-119 Nuclear reaction. | ||
Weight/yield | : | (A,C) | 150 kg. |
(B) | Selectable from 5 kT to 100 kT. | ||
Propulsion | : | (Booster stage) | Hybrid rocket engine. |
(Derringer stage) | Rocket-ramjet combination. | ||
Guidance | : | (A,B) | Optical, IIR and active radar. |
(C) | Optical, IIR and active radar with Permissive Action Link (PAL). | ||
Max speed | : | Mach 3.0 (atmosphere flight), Mach 7.5 (direct orbital strike). | |
Range | : | 3.5 kps delta-v (space), 100 km (atmosphere). | |
Platforms | : | ARMD, Ikazuchi, Izumo, Garfish, Macross, Montgolfier, Odyssey, Pioneer, Tokugawa. |
The Spacehawk is the main space to ground weapon of the REF. It is basically a Derringer E or F missile, fitted with a booster and a heat shield. If launched against other spacecraft or spaceborne mecha, the Spacehawk acts like a standard missile, with the booster rocket engine accelerating the missile to coasting speed, re-igniting the booster after closing with the target. In this mode, the ceramic heat shield is ejected shortly after launch to lower the weight of the missile and free the seeker heads. When used against ground targets, the missile will not eject the ceramic shielding, but align on a re-entry trajectory, and use its booster engine to de-orbit. The missile then coasts down to the atmosphere, and re-enters. Once the speed has been lowered to Mach 7.5, the remains of the shielding are ejected, and the missile aligns on its target. If the missile is programmed for a direct strike, the engine will ignite to keep this speed until impact, if necessary ejecting the spent booster and continuing with the Derringer engine. If atmospheric maneuvering is required, the booster will be ejected, and the Derringer engine will start running at Mach 3.0 in a sustainer mode to keep that speed until impact. Should the launch vehicle be in the atmosphere (a rare occurrence for most starships) the shielding and booster will be ejected immediately and the missile will then act like a standard Derringer missile.
The first two versions of the Spacehawk were the Spacehawk A, with a directed HE warhead, and the nuclear tipped Spacehawk B version. An improved model, Spacehawk C, was produced from 2015 onwards, with improved electronics and sensor systems, but otherwise identical to the Spacehawk A. The Spacehawk served with the RDF and REF in large numbers, and is still the premier medium space launched missile today.
Go to RDF Multipurpose Missile Index.
Go to the Robotech Reference Guide Home Page.
Robotech (R) is the property of Harmony Gold. This document is in no way intended to infringe upon their rights.
Content by Peter Walker and Pieter Thomassen, with Rob Morgenstern
Copyright © 1997 Robert Morgenstern, Peter Walker, Pieter Thomassen
Last Updated: Thursday, December 11, 1997 5:55 AM