Seacat / Tigercat
The short range UK Shorts Seacat antiair missile was at one time was the most used naval surface to air missile in the world. Seacat's success stemmed from its proven accuracy, simplicity, low cost and ability to operate in conjunction with gunnery fire-control systems, making it equally suitable for new ships and those being modernised. It is compatible with a variety of fire-control systems, for both visual tnd "dark" firing. The standard launcher carries four missiles. Under joint development by Shorts and Marconi was an automatic TV monitoring system that will allow RN Seacats to be fired and guided from below decks. By 1968 twelve navies had chosen this very effective close-range weapon as standard anti-aircraft armament for their ships. The 6600-Ib launcher carries four missiles in the most common surviving version.
Seacat was replaced by Seawolf on some Leander class frigates, while at least one of the Assault ships, Fearless had Phalanx fitted in its place. However most RN ships fitted with it were never updated and the weapon was phased out as the ships fitted with it were replaced with the Type 22's and 23's during the 1980’s.
The Shorts Tigercat is the land-based mobile version of the Sea Cat point-defence missile system. The Tigercat missile was designed by Short Brothers and Harland. Tigercat was a private development of the Shorts Seacat missile. The Tigercat missile is identical with Seacat. Highly successful firing trials by the RAF Regiment began on November 16, 1967.
As ordered for the RAF Regiment and Imperial Iranian Air Force, this weapon system is mounted on two trailers towed by Land-Rovers. One trailer carries the three-round launcher; the other carries the aimer with his optical sight and control gear. The system comes in a quad laucnher mounted on a vehcile or a triple launcher towed by a land rover carrying a radar unit. The system can also be deployed as two trailers. It is based on a 3-round, trailer-mounted launcher towed by a Land Rover, and a second trailer carrying the fire control equipment. The basic system is a radio guided version with an enhanced version using a radar for blind and dark fire capability.
The Tigercat missile is a small, subsonic missile powered by a two-stage solid fuel rocket motor. It is steered in flight by four swept, cruciformly arranged wings and is stabilised by four small tail fins. It is guided by Command Line-Of-Sight (CLOS) via a radio-link; i.e. flight commands are transmitted to it from a remote operator using a joystick, with both the missile and target in sight.
Tehran's first purchase of sophisticated weapons from the United Kingdom was of the Seacat/Tigercat surface-to-air missile (SAM) system in July 1966. Press reports in late 1974 stated that Jordan had indirectly concluded an arms deal with South Africa, including the sale of the Tigercat misile system and 41 Centurion tanks. Where ever the Tigercat came from, South Africa acquired approximately 54 batteries and renamed them Hilda.
The British Tigercat radar guided SAM was quite old by the 1980s, and had always had limited range.
