Fairey Fireflash
Encyclopedia
Fireflash was the first British
air-to-air guided missile
. Constructed by Fairey Aircraft, the missile utilised radar beam-riding guidance. Generally unsuccessful, it served only in small numbers.
requirement for a guided air-to-air missile. The project began in 1949
under the name Blue Sky. It was initially developed under the designation Pink Hawk. Blue Sky itself was a derated version of the Red Hawk missile.
About 300 missiles were produced by 1955
, but the Royal Air Force
(RAF) soon decided it was untenable. The missiles were used for testing purposes by 6 JSTU at RAF Valley
and Woomera
, South Australia
from 1955–1957
using Meteor NF11
trials aircraft and subsequently by the Supermarine Swift
fighters of No. 1 Guided Weapons Development Squadron at RAF Valley. The Fireflash was deployed on a very limited scale by the RAF in August 1957, and "had a limited capability against piston-engine bombers." The RAF deployed the later and more effective de Havilland Firestreak infra-red missile from August 1958.
s on the forward fuselage, which were jettisoned 1.5 seconds after launch, leaving the missile to coast into its target. This configuration was developed for fear that ionised particles from a rocket motor would interfere with the guidance radar signals. However, this configuration drastically limited both range and flight duration; further, continued domestic and international development showed that command guidance could function through a rocket exhaust plume (eg Rapier
).
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
air-to-air guided missile
Air-to-air missile
An air-to-air missile is a missile fired from an aircraft for the purpose of destroying another aircraft. AAMs are typically powered by one or more rocket motors, usually solid fuelled but sometimes liquid fuelled...
. Constructed by Fairey Aircraft, the missile utilised radar beam-riding guidance. Generally unsuccessful, it served only in small numbers.
Development
Produced in response to a Ministry of SupplyMinistry of Supply
The Ministry of Supply was a department of the UK Government formed in 1939 to co-ordinate the supply of equipment to all three British armed forces, headed by the Minister of Supply. There was, however, a separate ministry responsible for aircraft production and the Admiralty retained...
requirement for a guided air-to-air missile. The project began in 1949
1949 in aviation
This is a list of aviation-related events from 1949:- Events :* Aerolíneas Argentinas is established.* Royal Jordanian Air Force is formed as the Arab League Air Force.* Republic of Korea Air Force is formed.* Lebanese Air Force is formed....
under the name Blue Sky. It was initially developed under the designation Pink Hawk. Blue Sky itself was a derated version of the Red Hawk missile.
About 300 missiles were produced by 1955
1955 in aviation
This is a list of aviation-related events from 1955:- Events :* The United Kingdoms first atomic bomber unit, the Royal Air Forces No. 138 Squadron, becomes operational, flying Vickers Valiants.-January:...
, but the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
(RAF) soon decided it was untenable. The missiles were used for testing purposes by 6 JSTU at RAF Valley
RAF Valley
RAF Valley is a Royal Air Force station on the island of Anglesey, Wales, and which is also used as Anglesey Airport. It provides fast-jet training using the BAE Hawk and provides training for aircrew working with Search and Rescue. Unofficially the motto for RAF Valley is 'One Valley, Training...
and Woomera
Woomera Test Range
The RAAF Woomera Test Range is a weapons testing range operated by the Royal Australian Air Force Aerospace Operational Support Group...
, South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
from 1955–1957
1957 in aviation
This is a list of aviation-related events from 1957:- Events :* The Douglas AIR-2 Genie unguided air-to-air missile enters service with the United States Air Force...
using Meteor NF11
Gloster Meteor
The Gloster Meteor was the first British jet fighter and the Allies' first operational jet. It first flew in 1943 and commenced operations on 27 July 1944 with 616 Squadron of the Royal Air Force...
trials aircraft and subsequently by the Supermarine Swift
Supermarine Swift
The Supermarine Swift was a British single-seat jet fighter of the Royal Air Force , built by Supermarine during the 1950s. After a protracted development period, the Swift entered service as an interceptor, but, due to a spate of accidents, its service life was short...
fighters of No. 1 Guided Weapons Development Squadron at RAF Valley. The Fireflash was deployed on a very limited scale by the RAF in August 1957, and "had a limited capability against piston-engine bombers." The RAF deployed the later and more effective de Havilland Firestreak infra-red missile from August 1958.
Description
Fireflash was a beam-riding missile, relying on radar command guidance from the launch aircraft. It had a very unusual configuration: the missile was propelled by a pair of solid rocket boosterSolid rocket booster
Solid rocket boosters or Solid Rocket Motors, SRM, are used to provide thrust in spacecraft launches from the launchpad up to burnout of the SRBs. Many launch vehicles include SRBs, including the Ariane 5, Atlas V , and the NASA Space Shuttle...
s on the forward fuselage, which were jettisoned 1.5 seconds after launch, leaving the missile to coast into its target. This configuration was developed for fear that ionised particles from a rocket motor would interfere with the guidance radar signals. However, this configuration drastically limited both range and flight duration; further, continued domestic and international development showed that command guidance could function through a rocket exhaust plume (eg Rapier
Rapier missile
Rapier is a British surface-to-air missile developed for the British Army and Royal Air Force. Entering service in 1971, it eventually replaced all other anti-aircraft weapons in Army service; guns for low-altitude targets, and the English Electric Thunderbird, used against longer-range and...
).
See also
- Sea Slug missileSea Slug missileSea Slug was a first generation surface-to-air missile designed by Armstrong Whitworth for use by the Royal Navy...
– a contemporary naval beam-riding missile with wrap-around boosters - Rainbow CodesRainbow CodesThe Rainbow Codes were a series of code names used to disguise the nature of various British military research projects. They were mainly used from after the Second World War until 1958, when they were replaced by an alphanumeric code system.-History:...