The VT1 missile is made by Thales Group and needs no equal in short-range surface-to-air defense systems. VT1 missiles, designed for deployment on land and at sea, form the backbone of the Crotale Mk3 Short Range Air Defence System against threats from various classes of air targets.
The VT1 missile is designed to neutralize tactical missiles, pop-up helicopters, UAVs, and aircraft deploying high-maneuvering low-level stand-off weapons. Combined with the Crotale Mk3, the hyper-velocity and high maneuverability of the VT1 create a 15km no-escape zone against high maneuvering targets and class-leading performance.
The VT1 missile, though impressive in its specifications, has given mixed service to users. As one user noted, “Its flight is incredibly wobbly,” and this may simply be a case of the missile possessing too much tracking ability and responsiveness – too much self-adjusting such that at very long range, it may fly over a target. A few also have complained that the proximity fuse does not work properly and that several missiles have triggered their fuses on target with little or no visible damage.
Flight tracking by the VT1 missile has also been spotty, especially during high G turns when engaging aircraft in close to medium range. Observers have noted that the missile often seems to cut off from guidance and “teleport” past the opponent, behavior not duplicated with other systems such as the Roland 3.
Technically speaking, VT1 is a French SACLOS-guided surface-to-air missile with a caliber of 165 mm, a mass of 73 kg, with a maximum speed of 1,250 m/s, capable of handling more than 50 G overloads. The launch range is 12 km, the guaranteed launch range is 11 km, and the guidance time is 20 seconds. It weighs 7.86 kg and, though highly effective against aircraft, is less effective against tanks due to the 8m trigger radius.
Prols of the VT1 missile include best-in-class maximum overload for a SAM at 50 G and has an impressive top speed of 1,250 m/s. Cons include being less effective if the target aircraft gets too close, sharp turns making it uncontrollable, and warhead less effective against tanks compared to other SAMs in the same class.
Since its introduction in the War Thunder Update “New Power,” the VT1 missile has been a subject of intrigue among military enthusiasts and gamers alike. Though it does bring with it several advantages, such as speed and maneuverability, there are quite several arguments against it, based on how inconsistent it is in performance, apart from proximity fuse issues.
The VT1 missile remains under intensive scrutiny in different contexts and thus stays in the focus of close attention and steady analysis as to its possible contribution to modern air defense systems.