- Yes
- No
History and introduction
SMAT, or Sub-munition Anti-Tank, was a project initiated by Diehl BGT around 1994 to develop an autonomously guided anti-tank weapon that would be deployed via missile-launched clusters.
The project was sponsored by the Bundesministerium für Verteidigung (BMVg), the German Federal Ministry of Defense, as one of two guided munition programs: SMAT and SMASH. While SMASH was designed primarily for use against aircraft shelters, SMAT was intended to target tanks.
The SMAT system was designed to be launched into a target area, where it would release sub-munitions overhead. After deployment, each sub-munition’s infrared seeker would autonomously scan the area below for tanks. Upon detecting and identifying a tank, the seeker would lock onto the target and guide itself to impact, making SMAT a “Lock-On After Launch” (LOAL) weapon.
The munition was capable of autonomously detecting and tracking targets while also distinguishing between tanks and unarmored vehicles. Being an unpowered munition, SMAT relied on gravity for its velocity. It may have used IMX-101 explosive, although detailed information about its specific features remains scarce.
Testing
The SMAT submunition was tested by suspending it beneath the wing of an Alpha jet according to Pütz.
The weapon was dropped above a target area to simulate release from a standoff missile dispenser, after which the munition detected and locked onto a target and steered itself into a successful direct impact.
Technical Specifications
Weight: Estimated 4-6kg
Warhead mass: Estimated 2-3kg
SMAT in game
The only aircraft ever used with this weapon was the German Alpha jet and since this was experimental, it is safe to deduce that WTD-61, the research/testing branch of the Luftwaffe would have been tasked with the trials.
