In the mid-1960s. Vigilant was replaced by Swingfire, a new, hard-hitting, anti-tank missile which, compared to its predecessors, was a quantum leap forward. Swingfire quickly proved to be both a reliable and accurate missile.
The rocket motor could be vectored to allow control at lower speeds than were normally achievable by aerodynamic control. It was also possible to separate the launch vehicle and
Above: A Defender 90 mounting the MILAN anti-tank missile system; four missiles were carried in the stowage tubes fiited across the back of the vehicle. (PW)
Above: British troops excercise in a MILAN-equipped Wolf Defender rapid deployment vehicle. (BM)
Sighting equipment. This combined with the use of an electronic ‘gathering programme’, meant that it was no longer necessary for the gunner to fire the missile directly at the target, allowing the launch position to remain hidden. Providing the target could be seen in the sights, the ‘gathering programme’ brought the missile into the operator’s field of view after launch, when it would be guided onto the target by joystick control.
Swingfire carried a 15.4lb (7kg) hollow charge of high-explosive and offered an effective range of 150-4,500yds (137-4,115m), with a flight time of 26 seconds to the maximum range. Although it was said to be very accurate, a degree of skill was still required on the part of the operator to ‘fly’ the missile to the target. Nevertheless, Swingfire was capable of penetrating up to 31.5in (800mm) of armour, making it more than a match for any then current armoured vehicle.
Finally entering British Army service in 1969, and quickly replacing Vigilant, Swingfire was claimed to be capable of penetrating the armour of the heaviest tanks in the Warsaw Pact armoury.
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