Surface-to-Air Missile – History of the HAWK, Medium-Range Missile in the French Army

Surface-to-air missile "History of the HAWK, medium-range missile in the French Army" Adopted by France in 1958, the HAWK (Homing All the Way Killer) medium-range anti-aircraft missile system was designed and developed by the Americans in the years 1953–1955. Built under licence in Europe, and at the cutting edge of technology at the time, it equipped several European armies: France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands. It is the oldest weapons system in modern artillery, or at least the one that remained in service the longest. Assigned from its inception to the French Army, this system, combined with shorter-range assets, remained throughout its existence the "keystone" of anti-aircraft defence. Its distinctive features lie in very specific characteristics: a complete system nominally integrating detection, identification, fire-control and missile-launch assets with high performance, tactical and even strategic mobility, interoperability with other forces' assets, coordinated high-level fire management, and decentralised support. Furthermore, it was designed from the outset to be regularly upgraded in line with technological developments. This work, produced by the finest specialists, each within their own field, traces the history of the HAWK in all its aspects: the reasons and modalities of its acquisition and construction, the various missions assigned to it (on the NATO barrier, in air defence, in anti-aircraft protection of the battle corps, on operations in Chad), its material evolutions, the specific organization of its support, and the training of personnel in the United States. The preface written by Brigadier General Balerin (commanding officer of a regiment equipped with this system, commandant of the Artillery School, then inspector of support arms) makes clear that the HAWK was a pioneer in fields regarded today as fundamental in modern armies.