RB 04
Encyclopedia
The RB-04 is a long-range fire-and-forget
air-to-surface
, anti-ship missile
. The missile was known as the "RB-304" during development and early service years.
While interest in guided anti-ship missiles was subdued in the 1950s, it was not entirely extinct. In 1949, the Swedish government placed a request for a radar-guided, air-launched anti-ship missile. The request materialized as the SAAB "Robot-Byrån (RB) 04", which was first test launched by a Saab 29 Tunnan fighter in early 1955.
The early versions of the missile suffered teething problems in regards to the two targeting modes, which were area attack, for striking a big group of ships (like an invasion fleet), and select targeting, where the missiles home in on a single vessel. In the area attack the missile would only target a ship in the group if they were within 1,000 meters of another vessel, this was also in the early electronic age, and changes in this distance required hardware modifications in a workshop.
Many components of the missile where reused when the RBS-15
was developed including the main body and warhead although the motor and main wings where the most obvious external changes.
The missile has never seen combat; the closest thing it has come to being used in anger was during the "Whiskey on the Rocks" incident when in 1981 a soviet (NATO code Whiskey Class) submarine ran aground outside the naval station in Karlskrona
. Swedish AJ37 Viggens with Rb04E's slapped under their wings that had been taken from their top secret storage bunkers, stood on high alert for a possible soviet incursion to free their sub by force.
On one occasion when a Soviet rescue operation seemed to be underway, aircraft were scrambled with the intent to intercept Soviet ships.
Fire-and-forget
Fire-and-forget is a third-generation method of missile guidance. The military uses the term for a type of missile which does not require further guidance after launch such as illumination of the target or wire guidance , and can hit its target without the launcher being in line-of-sight of the...
air-to-surface
Air-to-surface missile
An air-to-surface missile is a missile designed to be launched from military aircraft and strike ground targets on land, at sea, or both...
, anti-ship missile
Anti-ship missile
Anti-ship missiles are guided missiles that are designed for use against ships and large boats. Most anti-ship missiles are of the sea-skimming type, many use a combination of inertial guidance and radar homing...
. The missile was known as the "RB-304" during development and early service years.
While interest in guided anti-ship missiles was subdued in the 1950s, it was not entirely extinct. In 1949, the Swedish government placed a request for a radar-guided, air-launched anti-ship missile. The request materialized as the SAAB "Robot-Byrån (RB) 04", which was first test launched by a Saab 29 Tunnan fighter in early 1955.
The early versions of the missile suffered teething problems in regards to the two targeting modes, which were area attack, for striking a big group of ships (like an invasion fleet), and select targeting, where the missiles home in on a single vessel. In the area attack the missile would only target a ship in the group if they were within 1,000 meters of another vessel, this was also in the early electronic age, and changes in this distance required hardware modifications in a workshop.
- RB-04C: The initial production version, the "RB-04C", entered service with Swedish Air Force A 32A Lansen attack aircraft in 1959. The RB-04C had a canard configuration, with short triangular cruciform fins around the nose, and two wide wings with fins attached to the wingtips. The RB-04C had a boost-sustain solid rocket motor and a SAP warhead that could be fitted with a contact or proximity fuse.
- RB-04D: Further development of the C version. Longer renge rocket engines and maintenance free thermal batteries where the main improovements. Introduced in the late 1960s.
- RB-04E: Further development of the D version to suit the new AJ37 Viggen strike aircraft. The missile had a shorter wingspan an improved guidance system and new radar seeker, which allowed sea-skimming approaches. This version was highly ressistant to ECM and would automatically lock on especially powerfull jamming signals.
Many components of the missile where reused when the RBS-15
RBS15
The RBS-15 is a long-range fire-and-forget surface-to-surface and air-to-surface, anti-ship missile. The later version Mk. III has the ability to attack land targets as well...
was developed including the main body and warhead although the motor and main wings where the most obvious external changes.
The missile has never seen combat; the closest thing it has come to being used in anger was during the "Whiskey on the Rocks" incident when in 1981 a soviet (NATO code Whiskey Class) submarine ran aground outside the naval station in Karlskrona
Karlskrona
Karlskrona is a locality and the seat of Karlskrona Municipality, Blekinge County, Sweden with 35,212 inhabitants in 2010. It is also the capital of Blekinge County. Karlskrona is known as Sweden's only baroque city and is host to Sweden's only remaining naval base and the headquarters of the...
. Swedish AJ37 Viggens with Rb04E's slapped under their wings that had been taken from their top secret storage bunkers, stood on high alert for a possible soviet incursion to free their sub by force.
On one occasion when a Soviet rescue operation seemed to be underway, aircraft were scrambled with the intent to intercept Soviet ships.