SCALP-EG / Storm Shadow: The Stealthy Air-Launched Cruise Missile
In 1994, France and the United Kingdom initiated a joint development of a stealthy air-launched cruise missile designed for land attack missions. The goal was to create a precision-guided weapon capable of striking critical targets such as command centers, communication hubs, ammunition storage, and other high-value enemy facilities. This missile, known as the SCALP-EG in France and Storm Shadow in the United Kingdom, was designed to provide advanced capabilities in modern warfare.
SCALP-EG / Storm Shadow: A Brief Overview
The full name of this missile, Système de Croisière Autonome à Longue Portée – Emploi Général (SCALP-EG), translates to Long Range Autonomous Cruise Missile System – General Purpose in English. While its design was based on the French Apache anti-runway missile, the SCALP-EG features a unique unitary penetration warhead instead of cluster munitions.
Initially developed during the 1990s, the missile went through rigorous testing and development, with the United Arab Emirates being one of the first countries to place an order in 1997. By 2001, the missile had completed its development phase, and production began shortly after. The French Air Force placed an order for 500 SCALP-EG missiles, with deliveries commencing around 2003.
Key Features and Capabilities
The SCALP-EG missile boasts several advanced features that make it an effective and reliable weapon. It uses a low radar cross-section fuselage, which helps minimize detection by enemy radar systems. This design significantly increases the missile's stealth capabilities, making it difficult to intercept by hostile air defense systems. These stealthy cruise missiles are typically employed against well-defended, stationary targets of high strategic importance.
Propulsion and Speed
The SCALP-EG is powered by a Turbomeca Microturbo TRI 60-30 turbojet engine, which generates 5.4 kN of thrust. With a subsonic speed range of Mach 0.8 to 0.95 (987 to 1,173 km/h), the missile travels at an optimal velocity for its mission profile. It can strike targets at a range of 550-560 km, though export versions of the missile are limited to 290 km to comply with the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) restrictions. The missile operates at a low altitude, typically between 30 to 50 meters above the ground, maintaining a constant low-level flight path to evade detection.
Warhead and Guidance System
The SCALP-EG carries a powerful 450 kg BROACH multi-stage penetration warhead, specifically designed for destroying bunkers. The warhead consists of a penetrating charge that first clears any obstacles, followed by a main charge designed to detonate inside the target. While theoretically capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, the SCALP-EG is exclusively a conventional weapon.
The missile is guided using a combination of GPS and an inertial navigation system (INS), along with a digital terrain map. This guidance system, integrated with a radio altimeter and navigation data, ensures pinpoint accuracy, even in complex and contested environments. As a fire-and-forget missile, the SCALP-EG is pre-programmed before launch, making it impossible to adjust its target or abort the mission mid-flight.
Combat Effectiveness
The SCALP-EG has proven to be highly effective in combat situations. In 2023, its British counterpart, the Storm Shadow, was used extensively in Ukraine, where it was launched at Russian command centers, fuel depots, and ammunition storage facilities far behind enemy lines. Despite facing advanced Russian air defense systems, most of the Storm Shadow missiles successfully reached their targets, with Russian forces struggling to intercept them.
In the same year, France agreed to deliver SCALP-EG missiles to Ukraine to help bolster its defense against the ongoing Russian invasion. Ukrainian forces integrated the missiles onto their Su-24 ground attack aircraft, with approximately 10 Su-24s modified to carry these advanced weapons. It remains unclear whether the SCALP-EG missiles delivered to Ukraine were the export versions (with a range of 290 km) or the standard versions (with a range of 550-560 km). However, Ukraine committed not to use these missiles to target Russian territory, as their range is sufficient to target Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine from within its borders.
Export and Global Reach
The SCALP-EG has seen widespread international adoption, with various countries utilizing the missile for their defense needs. Export versions, which have a reduced range of 290 km to comply with MTCR regulations, have been delivered to several nations, including Egypt, Greece, Italy, India, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Notably, the UAE was among the first to express interest in acquiring the missile back in 1997, with orders placed for an unspecified quantity. Greece and Italy followed suit, with Greece receiving its first batch of 90 missiles by 2003. India also secured a significant deal in 2016, purchasing these missiles as part of its acquisition of Dassault Rafale aircraft.
Special Variants
The SCALP-EG has seen adaptations for various military platforms, including the MdCN (Missile de Croisière Naval), a naval version of the missile. The MdCN comes in two variants: a ship-launched version with a range of 1,400 km and a submarine-launched version with a range of 1,000 km. The missile carries a smaller 300 kg high-explosive warhead, marketed as a multi-purpose warhead for versatile naval applications. The French Navy has been using these missiles since 2017, with the submarine-launched variant entering service in 2022.
Cost and Strategic Impact
The unit price of a single SCALP-EG missile is approximately $1.4 million, reflecting its advanced technology, precision guidance, and strategic capabilities. These missiles are not only a valuable asset for the countries that possess them but also serve as a significant deterrent against adversaries, thanks to their stealth, precision, and ability to strike high-value targets deep within enemy territory.
Conclusion
The SCALP-EG, also known as the Storm Shadow, stands as a testament to the effectiveness of modern air-launched cruise missiles in contemporary warfare. Its advanced stealth capabilities, powerful warhead, and precise guidance systems make it an invaluable tool for striking critical targets in heavily defended areas. As demonstrated in conflicts like the one in Ukraine, the SCALP-EG continues to be an essential weapon in the arsenals of several nations, underscoring its significance in shaping the future of military operations.
Posting Komentar