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Think Defence @thinkdefence.bsky.social · 5h

The Royal AIr Force Aerobatic team, the Red Arrows transit from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland to their home unit of RAF Waddington.

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Think Defence @thinkdefence.bsky.social · 11h

𝗪𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗡𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲

Nellie, the shortened name for an usual trenching machine designed thanks to Churchill

Click to find out more ➡️

Winston Churchill and Nellie (the Trenching Machine) - Think Defence

Nellie was the nickname used for a unique trenching machine that owed its existence to Winston Churchill, it was not, however, a great success.

www.thinkdefence.co.uk

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Think Defence @thinkdefence.bsky.social · 1d

29 Commando Royal Artillery operate the 105 mm L118 Light Gun during Commando Force training in Norway. The UK Commando Force is reaffirming its commitment to the high north by deploying to the Arctic circle for Winter Deployment 25

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Think Defence @thinkdefence.bsky.social · 2d

𝗦𝗲𝗮 𝗩𝗲𝗻𝗼𝗺 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗲

Dive into its history and capabilities ➡️

Sea Venom - Think Defence

Sea Venom is an advanced replacement for the battle-proven Sea Skua air-to-surface missile, equipping Royal Navy Wildcat helicopters

www.thinkdefence.co.uk

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Think Defence @thinkdefence.bsky.social · 3d

The unique ESARCO vehicles were developed as a private venture after lessons identified by the British Army in the 1982 Falklands Conflict, namely, the need for lightweight high mobility load carriage.

www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2024/11/the-...

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Think Defence @thinkdefence.bsky.social · 4d

Read more about Swingfire at the link

www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2024/10/swin...

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Think Defence @thinkdefence.bsky.social · 4d

A helicopter launched version called Hawkswing was also developed, although not introduced.

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Think Defence @thinkdefence.bsky.social · 4d

There was a proposal for a tank launched Swingfire and even an armed Stalwart.

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Think Defence @thinkdefence.bsky.social · 4d

Swingfire was fitted to FV712 Ferret Mk5

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Think Defence @thinkdefence.bsky.social · 4d

The CVR(T) family of vehicles included the FV102 Striker, equipped with 5 launch canisters.

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Think Defence @thinkdefence.bsky.social · 4d

Two missiles could be ripple fired from the FV438, simultaneously, automatically and independently guided to hit two separate targets. The launcher could be reloaded from inside. The FV438 vehicles were operated by the Royal Artillery.

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Think Defence @thinkdefence.bsky.social · 4d

A modified FV432, designated FV438, had a non-traversable turret and two launchers, with 14 missiles and crew under armour.

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Think Defence @thinkdefence.bsky.social · 4d

A lighter version of Golfswing was designed and tested, but not introduced.

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Think Defence @thinkdefence.bsky.social · 4d

Golfswing was a lightweight trailer mounted version, with four missile canisters.

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Think Defence @thinkdefence.bsky.social · 4d

A simplified launcher was shown on several vehicles, including the Rayner Saboteur Trooper and Supacat ATMP.

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Think Defence @thinkdefence.bsky.social · 4d

Swingfire was designed for ease of integration and platform independence. A four round palletised launcher was developed that could be mounted on light vehicles, called Beeswing, or Swingfire Pallet.

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Think Defence @thinkdefence.bsky.social · 4d

Combined with the immediate direction change after launch, the Swingfire launcher could be extremely difficult to locate, increasing survivability enormously when compared to comparative systems.

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Think Defence @thinkdefence.bsky.social · 4d

Another standout feature of the Swingfire was its use of a remote sighting unit. This allowed the launch vehicle to take a concealed or hull-down position. The remote sight could be positioned up to 100 meters away horizontally and 23 meters higher or lower.

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Think Defence @thinkdefence.bsky.social · 4d

Swingfire got its name from a distinctive feature. Once launched, the missile could quickly change direction by 90 degrees using a 'jetivator'. This allowed the firing position to remain hidden, it could, quite literally, fly out of a barn door, and then do a 90-degree turn

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Think Defence @thinkdefence.bsky.social · 4d

Swingfire was quite advanced at the time. The shaped charge warhead weighed in at 7 kg alone and could be used against targets from 150m to 4,000m and at up to 70 degrees angle of attack, with a maximum range of 4,000m.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cmX...

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Think Defence @thinkdefence.bsky.social · 4d

Approximately 46,650 Swingfire missiles were produced. Swingfire saw service in the 1991 Gulf War and the 2003 Iraq conflict, its swan song.

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Think Defence @thinkdefence.bsky.social · 4d

Alongside SWIG, the Defence Research Agency (DRA) also worked on a project called FOLLAM between 1988 and 1993. FOLLAM stood for Fibre Optically Linked Long-range Adaptable Missile.

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Think Defence @thinkdefence.bsky.social · 4d

The MoD awarded a £35m five-year contract to British Aerospace in 1990 to upgrade the Swingfire wire-guided anti-tank missile system. It was called the Swingfire Improved Guidance (SWIG) programme. Most notably, it would also change the guidance from command to automatic command.

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Think Defence @thinkdefence.bsky.social · 4d

Development and testing progressed through to 1969, when Swingfire was formally accepted into service. In 1980, a thermal sighting system was introduced, with orders placed in 1984.

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Think Defence @thinkdefence.bsky.social · 4d

After Orange William was cancelled in 1959, industry continued to develop similar concepts, culminating in Swingfire. It was first mentioned by the government in 1962 as a replacement for the Malkara missile (even though engineering work started in 1960)

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