Peugeot P4 Aspic

Chilean_Thunder · August 14, 2023, 5:06pm

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History:

This short-range surface-to-air weapons system from France was acquired by Chile in the 1990s and came to replace the Crotale series 3000 system that had been acquired by Chile during the Beagle conflict in 1978. This new system is made up of the Aspic firing system mounted on a Peugeot P4. This system is characterized by being very mobile since it is not mounted on a heavy vehicle, in addition the missiles it carries are the French Mistral that stand out for being very fast and capable of reaching their target in a short time, which enables this system in the defense of important points such as air bases, etc. Currently Chile continues to use this system in the country.

Chilean Officers of the Anti-Aircraft Defense Group No. 23, 2001

Aspic details

The Aspic system can be mounted on various 4x4 vehicles and in Chile it is used on the Peugeot P4, the turret can carry up to 4 mistral missiles ready to be fired, 2 on each side, and can carry 4 more at the rear of the Peugeot to be recharged. The crew for the “autonomous” mode, that is, without the need for any external accompanying radar, is made up of a driver and an operator who acts as a “pointer” using a special helmet, although if necessary it can also be operated by a single person who would act as an operator-driver. This shooting station is fitted with a fire control system that has a TV tracking sensor package with TV camera, TV angle deviation measurement device, digital computer and vertical gyro. This allows for fast and automatic target acquisition, accurate target tracking and optimization of the lead angle and validation of the designated missile IR seeker on the assigned target. An infrared camera provides for a night time and reduced visibility engagement capability.

Aspic system carrying 4 mistral missiles

Stand-alone mode

In independent mode the operator wears a helmet called “Daldo” which has a helmet-mounted optical target designation system known as “ARES” in this way the operator can follow his target at all times with his eyes and aiming with the helmet acting as a “pointer”, in this way the operator manages the Aspic system in conjunction with a remote firing control console from a distance of up to 50 m that allows him to rotate the turret by 360° and fire when it is need and during the night the operator can use an infrared camera.

Chilean soldier wearing the Daldo helmet with the ARES system

Close up of the combat control display

Specifications:

Crew:
- 2 (driver, gunner)
Armament:
- Primary: 4 surface-to-air mistral missiles, another four missiles are stored in the rear of the vehicle
Dimensions:
- Length: 4.2 - 4.6m
- Width: 1.7m
- Height: 1.9m
- Weight: empty 1.75 t, Maximum load: 0.5 t
Maneuverability:
- Engine: Peugeot XN8 petrol
- Engine power: 78 hp
- Maximum road speed: 108 - 118 km/h
- Range: ~ 600 km
- Gradient: 70%
- Side slope: 30%
- Vertical step: ~ 0.5 m
- Trench : 0.5 m
- Fording: 0.6 m