Ikara (missile)

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Ikara
Ikara test missile on launcher[1]
Type	Anti-submarine missile
Place of origin	Australia
Service history
In service	1960s–1990s
Used by	Royal Australian Navy Brazilian Navy Chilean Navy Royal New Zealand Navy Royal Navy
Production history
Designed	Circa 1959–60
Manufacturer	Australian Government Aircraft Factories/Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC)/Australian Defence Scientific Services (ADSS)[2]
Produced	Early 1960s
Variants	Two: Royal Australian Navy, Royal Navy
Specifications
Mass	513 kilograms (1,131 lb)
Length	3.429 metres (135.0 in)
Wingspan	1.524 metres (60.0 in)
Warhead	Mark 44 (two versions) Mark 46 NDB (Nuclear Depth Bomb).
Detonation mechanism	none
Engine	Bristol Aerojet Murawa two-stage solid-fuel rocket engine.[3]
Operational range	Maximum range: 10 nautical miles (19 km) Minimum (safety) range: 914 metres (1,000 yd)
Flight ceiling	335 metres (1,099 ft)
Maximum speed	Boost max: 713 kilometres per hour (443 mph) Cruise: 658 kilometres per hour (409 mph) Maximum boost acceleration: 10.9G Boost burn time: 1.96 seconds Launcher maximum elevation: 55° Maximum range time interval: 100 sec.
Guidance system	Command guidance
Steering system	Elevons
Launch platform	Ship-borne

The Ikara missile was an Australian ship-launched anti-submarine missile, named after an Australian Aboriginal word for "throwing stick". It launched an acoustic torpedo to a range of 10 nautical miles (19 km), allowing fast-reaction attacks against submarines at ranges that would otherwise require the launching ship to close for attack, placing itself at risk. By flying to a distant target, the engagement time was dramatically shorter than provided by short-range weapons, giving the target less time to respond.