Place of origin Germany Weight 49 kilograms (108 lb) | Variants see text | |
 | ||
Type Air-to-surface, air-to-air, surface-to-air, and surface-to-surface missile Manufacturer Parsys GmbH, MBDA Deutschland GmbH, Diehl BGT Defence, Length 1,600 millimetres (63 in) | ||
The PARS 3 LR in German service, also known as TRIGAT-LR (Third Generation AntiTank, Long Range) and AC 3G in French, is a fire-and-forget missile, which can be used against air or ground targets. It is intended for long range applications and designed to defeat tanks, helicopters and other individual targets, while minimizing the exposure of the launch vehicle to enemy fire. It is to be the main weapon system of the Eurocopter Tiger UHT helicopter. PARS 3 LR will be able to be fired in salvos of up to four in eight seconds. The missile can be applied in direct attack or top-attack modes. It was in development as of 2011.
Development
The programme was initiated by Germany, France and the UK. After the UK withdrew, only Germany and France remained. The manufacturer is Parsys GmbH, a Joint Venture between MBDA Deutschland GmbH and Diehl BGT Defence.
A lighter, medium ranged and man-portable version called Trigat-MR (MR for Medium Range) was also planned; it was later canceled. The project evolved into the proposed Trigan system, which is based on the MILAN 3 firing posts and the Trigat-MR missile.[1]
France withdrew from the programme in 2004.
On 30 June 2006, Germany ordered 680 PARS 3 LR missiles for 380 million Euros. Deliveries are to begin in 2012.