Matra Super 530D
| This page is about the French air-to-air missile Matra Super 530D. For the other version, see Matra Super 530F. |
Contents
Description
The French Matra Super 530D is the latest and greatest of the M.530 family. It is an interception Semi-Active Radar Homing missile that was introduced in 1987 specifically for the Mirage 2000 family of jet fighters. At the time of its introduction, it was capable of flying faster than most, if not all, other missiles of its kind. This missile was made to hit even maneuvering targets, hence the ~30 g overload limit, which is impressive when taking into account its 10 kg warhead, and 270 kg total weight.
In War Thunder, this missile is competitive. it is not as manoeuvrable as an AIM-7F Sparrow at close range, and it does not possess the range or acceleration of the R-27ER. However when fired at targets between 4 km and 15 km, this missile is very lethal. It takes its sweet time to accelerate, but makes up for it in top speed and agility once it gets to speed. Overall a very balanced missile that feels different from its American and Russian counterparts. The only downside of this missile is that you can only take 2 of them at most on the Mirage 2000-5F and Mirage 2000C-S5, while some American planes can install up to 6 SARH missiles on top of other armament.
Vehicles equipped with this weapon
General info
| Missile characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Mass | 270 kg |
| Guidance | SARH |
| Signal | CW |
| Lock range | 30 km |
| Launch range | 40 km |
| Maximum speed | 5 M |
| Maximum overload | 30 G |
| Missile guidance time | 60 secs |
| Explosive mass | 10.37 kg TNTeq |
Effective damage
The Matra Super 530D has only a 10 kg warhead in War Thunder. This means that the 530D needs a near direct hit to cripple the target. If the 530D finds itself at a low energy state where it cannot get itself as close to the plane as possible, it might explode and deal minor damage.
Comparison with analogues
The 530D is a Doppler version of the Super 530F, its closest brother. The closest missiles in terms of competitiveness, usage and stats are the American AIM-7F, Russian R-24R and the British Skyflash superTEMPs. They all feature similar range, similar manoeuvrability and even similar usage.
Usage in battles
The Super 530D is a very capable missile that should mostly be used for head-on situations and high altitude interceptions. It can also be used at closer range if the enemy is at a low energy state, and not further than 3 km.
This missile features very high potential speed, however it has sub-par acceleration. It has a small guidance delay when it leaves the rail, unlike the AIM-7F which can start tracking and pulling as soon as it leaves the rail, making it worse than a 7F at close quarters. The 7F will also be able to pull harder before the 530D due to its higher acceleration.
The R-27ER will outclass the 530D in most situations, so it's hard to compare them.
While the 530D is identical on both Air Superiority variants of the Mirage 2000, the -5F version has a PD mode, opposed to the PD HDN (head-on) of the C-S5 variant. This might not seem like a big deal, however the PD mode of the -5F gives you a way higher hit potential against a maneuvering target. Your radar will have an easier time tracking notching targets and cold flying (flying away from you) targets, making the 530D an even bigger monster on the Mirage 2000-5F.
Another quirk of the 530D is that it seems to accelerate better when flying above supersonic. It is always best to fire missiles from a higher speed, because they will have alot more energy, however this can really be felt with the 530D as opposed to the R-27ER for example.
Overall the 530D is not that different from the other SARH missiles, however it has its quirks and should be used to its strenghts. As with all other missiles, the "thing" making the missile very lethal is the pilot. Firing it from the right range, at the right altitude, at the right time, in the right situation will give you the most chances of securing a hit on an enemy.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Excellent speed.
- Excellent Maximum overload of 30G to hit manoeuvreing targets.
- Good tracking, making it harder to dodge kinetically.
- Very reliable compared to other missiles.
Cons:
- Slow acceleration, it's best not to fire from too close range.
- Can only be found in a pair at most.
- Does not like to turn at all when at low energy.
History
Creation:
- Origins: Matra began developing the Super 530 series in the late 1960s as a successor to its earlier R.530 missile. The Super 530 series was intended to provide the French Air Force with a more capable missile system in the context of modern aerial warfare.
- Design: The Super 530D had semi-active radar homing as its guidance system. Its radar seeker had the ability to lock onto targets at longer ranges and was more resistant to jamming than its predecessor.
- Advancements: The Super 530D featured improvements in range, accuracy, and overall performance compared to its predecessor. Its range was extended to over 40 km and it was faster as well.
Combat Usage:
- French Air Force: The primary user of the Super 530D was the French Air Force. The missile was typically paired with the Mirage F1 and Mirage 2000 fighters. These aircraft were equipped to use the Super 530D in combination with shorter-range air-to-air missiles, thus giving them a more diverse set of weapons to engage with potential threats.
- Export: Beyond France, several countries imported or were offered the Super 530D, broadening its potential operational theaters.
- Combat Records: Specific combat records of the Super 530D might not be as well-publicized or as numerous as some other missile systems. However, it's worth noting that any missile's effectiveness is often influenced by the training of the pilots, the electronic warfare environment, and the circumstances of the engagement.
- Retirement: With advancements in missile technology and the emergence of newer air-to-air missiles, the Super 530D eventually became less prominent in the inventories of its users. By the early 21st century, more advanced missiles like the MICA and Meteor had begun to supersede older systems like the Super 530D.
In summary, the Matra Super 530D was a step forward in air-to-air missile technology for the French Air Force during its time, offering longer ranges and improved capabilities compared to its predecessor. While its specific combat record might be limited in terms of well-documented engagements, it served as an important component of the French aerial arsenal for several decades.
Media
- Images
- Videos
See also
External links
- [RedStar] Matra Super 530D Short to medium-range air-to-air missile
- [Avions De Combat] Super 530D: Matra Missile
- [AviationsMilitaires.net] Matra Super 530D
