Roland (missile)

Roland
TypeSurface-to-air missile
Place of originFrance and West Germany
Service history
In service1977–present
WarsIran-Iraq War
Falklands War
Persian Gulf War
Iraq War
Production history
Designed1963
ManufacturerEuromissile
Specifications
Mass67 kg
Length2.40 m
Diameter16 cm
Wingspan50 cm
Warhead6.5 kg (14 lb) pre-fragmented high-explosive

EngineDual-thrust solid-fueled rocket:
  • Booster: "Roubaix" rocket, 15.3 kN for 1.7 s
  • Sustainer: "Lampyre" rocket, 1.96 kN for 13.2 s
Operational
range
8,000 m
Flight altitude5,500 m
Maximum speed Mach 1.6
Guidance
system
Early warning by search radar. Target and missile tracking by optical system (Roland 1) or tracking radar (Roland 2)

The Roland is a Franco-German mobile short-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system. The Roland was also purchased by the U.S. Army as one of very few foreign SAM systems.