Nimbus III-F S07X-SAM
Export price: US$150,000.00
Domestic Production Right: US$3,000,000,000.00 [
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In 1978, a review into the nation's anti-aircraft capabilities found that the nation had too heavy a reliance on too many a missile system for shorter-range air defence, with over 46 different missiles and following systems documented in the 1st Army and Aeromarines alone. As such, an urgent requirement was found for a unified missile system or systems, that could reduce the number of missile types and thus logistical costs incurred by the various operating branches in the Army and Aeromarines.
The research and development programme began in 1980, before being cancelled in 1982 as the Army diverted funding from symmetric to counter-insurgency systems, whilst retiring the older low mobility short range missile units and moving towards more mobile missile platforms (either as light trailer-mounted or APC-mounted units). As such, this measure saw most older systems retired to 2nd Army units for base training purposes, or stripped down for parts.
After renewed conflicts in 1989, especially in overseas territories, and vulnerabilities exposed by a lack of more modern air cover (the only continuing development being in the Splinter and Rainbow systems as part of the so-called "Fortress Alfegos" doctrine), a second R&D programme was launched by the Fegosian Army into missile technology, in terms of the more modern capabilities available at the turn of the decade in 1990.
After a number of set requirements were outlined, the Army tendered a missile contract to Alfegos Aeronautics, looking for integration into vehicle systems manufactured by the company for the Fegosian Armed Forces (with interest in integration to Airship, Vehicle and Stationary platforms).
This was further subtendered to Ev'kho Heavy Industries with the requirement for integration of some systems into the M1A2 Warhound MBT as an anti-air system to accompany armoured formations, and for integration into airfield and aerodrome defence vehicles (such as the Crawler multi-purpose vehicle bed).
Ev'kho Heavy Industries identified four key niches, that were approved of in the army, for missile application.
- Short range formation defence (dedicated AA)
- Short range individual defence
- Short/Mid range individual defence
- Long range formation defence (dedicated AA)
As such, from this programme, the following missile system prototypes were developed:
- Nimbus
- Cirrus
- Cumulus
- Skysinger
It was decided in 1991 that the Nimbus and Cirrus missile systems could be merged into one package, using the universal "pod" system that had been used aboard the latest Consul-class Aerocruiser package, allowing piggyback integration into existing vehicles as an additional weapon system for individual defence, or dedicated use aboard AA vehicles. As such, the Nimbus prototype began full development to test stage.
The Nimbus rocket system was intended as a multi-target air defence weapon able to target aircraft, helicopters and larger missile systems. With the requirement of having to be used across systems, it was decided that the system would be based upon a single integrated sensor system. With the need for a compact system, an infrared guidance system was chosen.
In light of advancing countermeasure systems, a multi-band IR sensor was chosen to keep pace with advancing technology, using a high density CCD sensor and duel filters to allow detection of 2350 (NIR) and 670 (MIR) cm^-1 IR emissions of hot exhaust from turbine engines (such as those aboard most helicopters and aircraft used for military roles).
As such, the system provides the ability to counter multiple attempts at jamming, ensuring that lethality is maintained. Whilst it would reduce the number of missiles that could be afforded, it was concluded that, in a role as a defence system for an individual vehicle, a high kill rate would be needed if only the single missile were to be deployed.
The IR guidance system borrowed heavily from the AAT-82's guided designator-tracking warhead that revolutionised anti-tank systems in Alfegos, in using a small yet highly sensitive tracking system to ensure locks onto a specific frequency band. The main concern was of tracking specific frequencies, thus ensuring a guaranteed lock, contrary to any jamming attempts.
The majority of efforts came into developing this tracking warhead into a reliable system to use against aircraft, especially considering the higher velocities in the rocket system. The development of the system was concluded in 1994, where it was combined with the other features of the missile body to produce the 1st model.
As such, alongside the passive guidance of the missile, there is the ability for the missile follow designator points from either ground-based LASERs (aboard AA systems or forwards air control units) or from other air units in the area. This feature was developed as optional, with the ability for the sensor filter allowing reception of the specific frequencies to be removed prior to loading.
The IR sensor is combined with a proximity programme within the onboard processor to ensure the missile detonates at a distance of approximately 5 metres from the heat source.
The warhead of the unit was chosen to be the standard annular fragmentation blast warhead as used on most AA missiles being introduced to service. The warhead was first introduced in the 1970s onboard the Rainbow-I Improved VLRSAM, which when deployed as four 10kg contiguous rod warheads demonstrated extremely high lethality at the long range it was operating (as a squadron-killing weapon), albeit only in a single plane. In operation, 40 Rainbow and 32 Rainbow-I units were fired during the 2nd Civil War, in which it was demonstrated that kill probability or damage inflicted was much higher against target aircraft and airships, albeit at the cost of reduced area of damage.
This decision led to the Splinter ULRSAM (the longest range AA missile deployed, perhaps in the world) to continue using a very heavy fragmentation warhead or nuclear warhead, keeping its role as a formation-killer. In the Nimbus, one of the 10kg warheads was taken as a base, and remodelled to fit within a smaller, narrower package as would befit the pod-deployed plan for the weapon system. In testing, the unit was proven to be lethal to aircraft-type targets at up to 20 metres distance from the point of detonation, perfect for the desired weapon system.
The engine, taking up the majority of the missile mass, is a simple solid-fuel rocket, utilising standard APCP fuel integrated into an off-the-shelf Er'sui rocket motor produced in bulk. Directional control is acheived via graphite exhaust vanes, controlled via wire with motor units integrated into the rear stabilising fins.
The onboard computer of the missile was originally a basic processor systems, integrated with the understanding of potential future upgrade to more advanced software systems, with redundant gyroscopic input direct to the onboard circuitry ensuring that missile control is maintained and a straight flight path is produced in the event of onboard system failure. Firing control is via said computer, ensuring that (in the event of computer failure) the system is not armed unless the weapon is operational, reducing the chance of catastrophic failure at launch.
The entire system, assembled, is intelligent in that it self guides with no input from the platform. As a result, the weapon and its containing pod can be integrated onto almost any platform, to provide AA defence. The pod itself is a lightened steel container, of cuboid shape, consisting of thickened rear end, ejecting front cover, and electronics unit for firing control.
The unit can control up to four individual pods (allowing single, side-by-side or quad arrangements of the missile units), and is normally designed to be fixed onto a vehicle or platform surface. As such, when connected using a standardised connector and being in receipt fo the correct firing signal, the unit can arm and engage all systems on the rocket, meaning the only electronics required for integration are a basic "trigger", which can consist of anything from computerised input from an advanced armoured vehicle, to a literal "button and battery" setup on a basic stationary mounting.
First integration of the weapon was aboard the "Basalt" IFV, a system designed for mountainous and arctic terrain. The AA variant was modified to hold eight missile pods, mounted on two 2x2 frames, the items moving with the vehicle's 40mm Autocannon turret.
Firing controls were modified from the ATGM varient, able to carry four Longbow/Crossbow/Scorpion self-guiding SSMs, with simplification based upon the missile's intelligent nature. The device was further integrated into the M1A3 Warhound MBT package, as an applique AA weapon for dedicated AA vehicles within formations. However, the main deployment was aboard quadruple-firing trailers to be towed by L-SV trucks or ULSV utility vehicles, in defence of more stationary objectives or motorised formations as a much more effective replacement for MANPADs systems in use.
The weapon system was used during colonial operations, particularly in the Hurgat Free state, at the turn of the millenium, where use alongside armoured columns in mountainous areas saw the rapid defeat of the native air force and conversion of the conflict to asymmetric within a week. It was also used during the 3rd Civil War against seperatist air crews during conflicts in Milkavich, against with great success. In total, before upgrades commenced, 110 units were fired, of which 43 were fired in anger. Of these, the results are shown below.
- 1 Failure to fire (shutdown before launch)
- 1 Engine failure midflight
- 16 Defeated by enemy air units (Undetermined as to whether as a result of evasive manouvers, countermeasures or other)
- 7 Hard kills, Fast Jet (Vehicle was observed destroyed)
- 6 Soft kills, Fast Jet (Vehicle was observed damaged)
- 5 Hard Kills, Other aircraft
- 6 Soft kills, Other aircraft
- 1 Impacted but minor/no damage, Airship
Against airships, reports suggest the device had an affinity for engine areas, yet was unable to defeat the armour used on airship engines, and as such was recommended against as an anti-airship weapon (with preference on manual-guided, radiation-seeking or RADAR-seeking devices).
The upgrade report noted key flaws in the weapon that were to be addressed to be
- Poor ability to maintain a lock (weapon could be easily "distracted" by certain flare systems)
- Poor initial speed from the weapon
- Poor sensitivity from an inferior CCD sensor
- Ease of detection by targeted aircraft
As such, the weapon underwent an upgrade in 2003, followed up by a 2008 upgrade, to the current Nimbus-III system. The current upgrades saw the following.
- Upgraded CCD sensor, cooling system and filters, which now mean the weapon detection is increased, ensuring lock is made earlier and more specifically. The weapon can now lock onto four seperate bands:
- CO2 Band 1 (670 cm-1)
- CO2 Band 2 (2350 cm-1)
- Water (~3300 cm-1, emission linked)
- LASER band (Classified, Fegosian designator operating band)
- Upgraded computer. The missile now uses an off-the-shelf onboard tablet computer system, with programming to increase both lethality, ability to lock and ability to maintain lock. As such, the missile is able to determine:
- Difference between engine and flares.
- Strength of signal relative to temperature and distance (via fourier transform). As such, the missile can approximate time to target, and avoid targets that are out of range or will travel out of range.
- Prioritising of signatures (if presented with multiple, the missile will aim for the sources closest together rather than the strongest source, with the intention of targeting multi-engined aircraft or formation fliers and gaining multiple kills or taking down larger bomber aircraft). This can be reprogrammed depending on platform preference whilst in factory, if so requested.
- Advanced stabilisation with better interpretation of gyroscopic input.
- Optional programme change via the programming unit and thus externally, to allow firing controllers to chose whether the missile is to be passive, or semi-active (following a designator as priority, yet with heat source tracking as backup).
- Single lock - tracking only the one object, not jumping between heat signatures or aircraft.
- Upgraded engine. The APCP engine was changed to a latter model from Er'sui, increasing range.
- Redundant wire package put in, ensuring that three lines of connection are maintained with the vane control servos and thus avoiding problems of melting.
- Casing lightened and strengthened, reducing RADAR signature modestly and improving performance.
The Flugabwehrkanonenpanzer 2E (Flakpanzer 2E) project saw approaches by the VMK AG in efforts to improve the lethality of the Flakpanzer 2E, whilst similtaneously maintaining its high mobility and ability to defend formations effectively. The Nimbus-III was seen as a perfect system to be based on an armoured vehicle, with the following desirable features.
- Relatively compact (with the possiblity of eight still being carried to engage targets)
- Heavy Warhead (10kg AFB as compared to 3kg Frag)
- Exceedingly good value for money (the existing missile package price at the time of development was cheaper than a single Attero missile)
- Ability to work without integration ("self-reliance" of the onboard computer)
Alongside VMK-AG, works were carried out at Ev'kho Heavy Industries to produce a full integration package into its armoured vehicles, resulting in the "Nimbus III-F" package.
The concept of the package was to allow the onboard systems of VMK armoured vehicles to aid, both the specificity and the lethality of the Nimbus missile. As such, the vehicle was to be equipped with a LASER designator of standardised bands for Yohannesian Wehrmacht armed forces, based upon a stripped down unit used by airforce designator pods.
The designator itself manifests as a narrow-bore projection coaxial to the left autocannon of the vehicle, allowing high traverse alongside the autocannons. Whilst at long range, this renders the cannons unable to fire (due to projectile drop), the range of mobility provided and lack of need for another intrusion into the vehicle provides the best possible option for this system. This is complemented by the existing onboard aerial vehicle-tracking optics package.
The weapons themselves are deployed in the quad-mount firing pods, angled slightly and running along the side of the vehicle turret, using a redunant connection route into the vehicle through where a RCWS point for GPMG would be. The pods are fixed so as to provide eight missiles in quad-pods, each pod group (L & R) with their own intermediary computer to provide interpretation of computer signals from within the tank to the missiles. The pods are treated in the same signature-reducing materials as the rest of the vehicle, ensuring that they provide lower disruption than otherwise to the vehicle profile.
The missiles are modified slightly in the changing of filters onboard the missile, thus allowing them to receive designator signals native to the platform. The computer is modified, allowing duel-band lock upon designator signals, yet otherwise the missile is essentially the same.
- Length: 2,140 mm
- Body Diameter: 210 mm
- Finspan: 390 mm
- Mass: 45 kg
- Warhead: 10 kg Annular Fragmentation Blast (CRW)
- Maximum Lethal Radius (Aircraft): ~50 metres
- Tracking System: Multi-band IR/IR Designator Tracking
- Recommended Temperature Range: ~ -40 to +150 degrees
- Cooling: Compressed gas
- Maximum Lock Distance:
15 km with Sensor
12 km with Designator - Tracking: Passive OR Semi-active, with Target Prioritisation
- Engine: Er'sui Model LR104(EK) APCP Solid Rocket
- Specific Impulse: ~298 s
- Maximum Velocity: 980 m/s
- Minimum Range: 50 metres
- Maximum Range: 16,500 metres
- Maximum Intercept Altitude: 10,000 metres