Missile SS.11

Development of the system began in 1953 as a heavy derivative of the SS.10. It was designed for deployment from vehicles, naval vessels, and rotorcraft. The missile entered service in 1956. A revised version introduced in 1962 incorporated solid-state components to improve response time and handling.

The missile is a wire-guided anti-tank weapon utilizing manual command to line of sight guidance. The operator adjusts the flight path via a joystick, tracking the missile's position through rear-mounted flares. In 1967, a variant was introduced featuring semi-automatic command to line of sight guidance. This system used an infrared sensor to track the missile and automatically provide corrections to the line of sight. Propulsion consists of a solid-fuel booster and a sustainer engine. Flight control is achieved through thrust vectoring, using vanes in the exhaust to direct the missile. An internal gyroscope maintains orientation during its rotational flight. Available warhead options include hollow-charge anti-armor, blast-fragmentation, anti-personnel, and anti-shipping variants.

The system has been widely exported and operated by several nations, including the United States, United Kingdom, Israel, and Libya. In American service, the missile was designated as the AGM-22. The missile was first used in combat in 1956 during the Algerian War, where it was deployed from fixed-wing transports and later from helicopters against fortified positions. During the Vietnam War, the U.S. Army operated the missile from helicopters, employing it against armor and bunkers during the 1972 Easter Offensive. Israeli forces utilized the missile during the 1967 Six-Day War, specifically at the Battle of Abu-Ageila. In the 1982 Falklands War, British helicopters fired the missile against positions near Port Stanley. Naval applications included deployment on fast patrol boats. It was also employed for coastal defense roles to cover narrow channels and counter landing craft.