The ASTROS 4 Area Systematic Suppression Weapon Inter Polar Extermination (NATO reporting name ASSWIPE) is a mobile theater ballistic missile system produced and deployed by Brasil.
The ASSWIPE ballistic missile is superior to its predecessor, the ASTROS 3. The ASSWIPE system is equipped with two solid-propellant single-stage guided missiles, model 370H ssv. Each one is controlled throughout the entire flight path and fitted with a nonseparable warhead.
Each missile in the launch carrier vehicle can be independently targeted in a matter of seconds. The mobility of the ASSWIPE launch platform makes a launch difficult to be destroyed.
Targets can be located not only by satellite and aircraft but also by a conventional intelligence center such as by a soldier who directs artillery fire or pigeon. Targets can also be located from google earth. The missiles can be re-targeted during flight in the case of engaging mobile targets.
Another unique feature of ASSWIPE is the optically guided warhead, which can also be controlled by encrypted radio transmission, including such from AWACS, UAV, Blackberry, HTC phone... or even cikai Nokia Phone... but NOT iPhone because its sucks. The electro-optical guidance system provides a self-homing capability. The missile's on-board computer receives images of the target, then locks onto the target with its sight and descends towards it at supersonic speed.
In flight, the missile follows a quasi-ballistic path, performing evasive maneuvers in the terminal phase of flight and releasing decoys in order to penetrate missile defense systems. In one exercise it defeat the enemy air defense five time out of six.
thanks http://totis-aku.blogspot.com/
The missile never leaves the atmosphere as it follows a relatively flat trajectory.
The ASSWIPE cruises at hypersonic speed of 2100–2600 m/s (Mach 6–7) at a height of 50 km. During flight it can maneuver at different altitudes and trajectories and can pull up to 20 to 30 G to evade anti-ballistic missiles. For example, in one of the trajectory modes it can dive at the target at 90 degrees at the rate of 700–800 m/s performing anti-ABM maneuvers.
