Mosquito (missile)

The Mosquito was an Italian wire-guided anti-tank missile produced by Contraves Italiana SpA. It entered service with the Italian Army in 1961. It was broadly similar to anti-tank missiles of the era, having a fibreglass body with four large wings, cruciform in cross-section and a relatively short body.

The missile is transported in a cuboid container that also acts as a launcher. The launcher is attached to a control box that is equipped with a binocular sight and control joystick. When the missile is launched the operator steers the missile using the joystick. He first "gathers" the missile to his line of sight to the target.

It is steered in flight by vibrating spoilers in the wings, and spins for additional stabilization, with a pyrotechnically spun gyroscope providing stabilization.

Operators

 Italy

Specifications

• Length: 1.11 m
• Diameter: 0.12 m
• Wingspan: 0.6 m
• Weight: 14.1 kg
• Range 350 m to 2400 m
• Peak speed: 90 m/s
• Warhead: Either 4 kg hollow charge (660 mm versus RHA) or fragmentation
• Propulsion: Two-stage solid rocket motor.

References

• Michael J.H. Taylor (1980). Missile's of the World. Charles Scribner's Sons. ISBN 0684165937.