Entrance to Grafenwohr firing range
3 ft


Preparing BATHS for lunch
6 ft


BATS launches controller fires.
5 ft


Redeye fired
3 ft


Redeye and BATS intercept
4 ft


Another Redey gunner takes position
7 ft


BATS launched
3 ft


Redeye firing and intercept
5 ft



Initials



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Background: Development of the Redeye began in 1959 under the auspices of the U. S. Army Missile Command to fill a requirement for an air defense weapon that would be lightweight and man-portable to accompany troops anywhere in the forward battle area.

The Redeye is delivered pre-assembled and ready for use. The missile is sealed in the launcher can not be removed in the field except by firing.

The missile is stabilized by four fixed fins at the rear, and steered by two movable fins near the front. The engine is protected internally by asbestos insulation, and is encased in steel. The warhead contains .85 pounds of explosive and is encased in a titanium alloy body. The guidance section shell is made of aluminum.

The bazooka-type launcher is made of fiberglass, and includes a gripstock assembly, a righting scope, the launch tube, and the launcher battery housing. Once the missile is fired, the launcher is discarded.

The Redeye ream includes a gunner and an assistance gunner. Target detection is accomplished by the naked eye. Audible and visible signals indicate when infrared acquisition of the target has been made. When the Redeye's electronics system indicates than the target is within intercept range, the missile is fired. The ejector motor propels the missile out of the tube for about 20 feet. At this point the sustainer motor is ignited and propels the missile to the target. The warhead explodes on impact or penetration.

The annual "live fire" exercise covered a for day period, 17-18 and 20-21 May 1975. SETAF (South-Eastern Task Force), 5th Corps and the 7th Corps personnel participated in the annual firing. The target aircraft used in the exercise were the Ballistic Air Target System (BATS), and were successfully intercepted each time by the Redeye.