Roland

Notes: This combined product of French and German technology was conceived as early as 1964, but firing units were not delivered to military units of France until 1977, and Germany in 1978. There ware three flavors of Roland: the Roland 1, a clear-weather system, the Roland 2, designed for use in all weather conditions, and the Roland 3, which adds IR capability, upgraded sights and radar, and upgraded fire control computers. Roland 1 is now largely out of service; the firing units have mostly been upgraded to the Roland 2 standard, and the missiles destroyed or used for training purposes only. Roland 3 began replacing Roland 2 in NATO units as early as 1988, but budgetary difficulties have slowed the process considerably, and few Roland 3 launchers and missiles are actually in service. (France and Germany hope to have all their launchers and missiles replaced by Roland 3 by 2010.)

Twilight 2000 Notes: Roland 3 exists in somewhat greater numbers in the Twilight 2000 world, but Roland 1 launchers and missiles have also been placed back into service.

Merc 2000 Notes: Budget cuts have slowed Roland 3 acquisition to nearly zero.

Weapon

Weight

Accuracy

Guidance

Sensing

Price

Roland 1

(Ground Launcher) 552 kg, (Missile) 60 kg

Average

Radar

All Aspect

(Ground Launcher) $73475, (Missile) $22778

Roland 2

(Ground Launcher) 528 kg, (Missile) 66.5 kg

Average

Radar

All Aspect

(Ground Launcher) $88750, (Missile) $22819

Roland 3

(Ground Launcher) 566 kg, (Missile) 75 kg

Easy

Radar and IR

All Aspect

(Ground Launcher) $64200, (Missile) $25838

Weapon

Reload

Speed

Min Rng

Max Rng

Damage

Pen

Type

Roland 1

12

2170

500

4800

C29 B75

13C

FRAG-HE

Roland 2

13

2500

500

6300

C34 B80

17C

FRAG-HE

Roland 3

13

2850

500

8000

C38 B88

17C

FRAG-HE

Skyguard/Sparrow

Notes: This SAM system combines launchers for AIM-7E, AIM-7F, AIM-7M, or Aspide missiles and a Skyguard radar system for use in an air defense role. These are mid-budget systems used by some countries to improve or supplement their current air defense systems. The system can be used in conjunction with 35mm Oerlikon GDF-003 autocannon systems to provide a more comprehensive air defense solution. Known users include Egypt (who calls it the Amoun system), Greece (who calls it the Velos system), Taiwan, Kuwait, Spain (who use it with the Aspide missile, and calls it the Toledo system), and Italy and Thailand (also using it with the Aspide missile).

Twilight 2000 Notes: Thailand is not using this system, and Spain is using it with Sparrow missiles.

Weapon

Weight

Accuracy

Guidance

Sensing

Price

Skyguard/Sparrow

(Launcher) 2930 kg

NA

NA

NA

$165445

AIM-7E

205 kg

Difficult

Radar

All Aspect

$17760

AIM-7E2

205 kg

Average

Radar

All Aspect

$17760

AIM-7F

228 kg

Average

Radar

All Aspect

$17728

AIM-7M

228 kg

Average

Radar

All Aspect

$17768

Aspide

220 kg

Average

Radar

All Aspect

$23724

Weapon

Reload

Speed

Min Rng

Max Rng

Damage

Pen

Type

AIM-7E

49

3110

1600

44000

C42 B94

23C

FRAG-HE

AIM-7E2

49

3110

1070

44000

C47 B100

23C

FRAG-HE

AIM-7F

49

3550

1600

80000

C54 B106

23C

FRAG-HE

AIM-7M

49

4500

1600

88000

C60 B112

23C

FRAG-HE

Aspide

49

6795

3500

75000

C54 B106

23C

FRAG-HE