The HAWK Air Defense Missile System: 309 (New Vanguard)

Das Manuskript für diesen Osprey-Band über das HAWK-Flugabwehr-System (radargesteuerte Boden-Luft-Raketen) wurde 2021 abgeschlossen. Zwar weisen die Autoren – das Ehepaar Marc Romanych und Jacqueline Scott – am Schluss des Bandes darauf hin, dass das 1952 eingeführte HAWK-System noch bei etlichen Staaten noch im Luftabwehr-Arsenal vorhanden ist. Doch dass in dem unglückseligen Krieg Russlands gegen die Ukraine HAWK-Luftabwehr eingesetzt werden soll, zeigt auf erschreckende Weise die Aktualität dieses 70 Jahre alten Waffensystems.Die AutorInnen gehen trotz der gebotenen Kürze der „New Vanguard“-Serie ausführlich die jahrzehntelange Weiterentwicklung des Systems, seine technologischen Grundlagen, seine Einsatzgrundsätze und die Organisation der einzelnen Bataillone und Batterien. Die „operational history“ zeigt, wie das System bei etlichen politischen Krisen und militärischen Auseinandersetzungen sowie im Kalten Krieg insgesamt den Rückhalt amerikanischer Militärpräsenz in Europa und weltweit bildete, ohne dass auch nur einmal das System im scharfen Schuss eingesetzt wurde. Allerdings setzten verbündete Staaten die HAWK-Raketen durchaus im Ernstfall ein.Für deutsche Leser ist der Band auch deswegen von Interesse, weil mehrere HAWK-Bataillone in der Bundesrepublik stationiert waren. Im September 1985 wurden dabei drei Radaranlagen durch einen Sprengstoffanschlag von RAF-Sympathisanten zerstört. Die US-Army setzte daraufhin Gänse als „Frühwarnsystem“ zum Schutz der Anlagen ein. Die GIs waren allerdings dem nervtötenden Geschnatter der Tiere auf Dauer nicht gewachsen.Der umfangreich bebilderte Band kann besondere Authentizität beanspruchen, da beide AutorInnen längere Zeit in HAWK-Einheiten in Deutschland gedient haben. Man darf gespannt sein, ob Osprey auch den nächsten Generationen der Luftabwehr-Systeme (u. a PATRIOT) einen ähnlich informativen Band widmet.

The Hawk air defense missile system was acquired to protect U.S. troops and military facilities from Soviet aircraft. The system became operational in 1959 and would serve with the U.S. and allied forces for over 30 years. Its mobile launchers were cutting edge at the time of fielding, and upgrades kept it competitive. This Osprey New Vanguard series book has the details.The narrative traces the development, fielding and improvements of the Hawk, including its use by a variety of allied militaries. A nice selection of period photographs and modern illustrations depict the components of the Hawk system, in training and on deployment. Cold War veterans will recognize a changing array of uniforms. Well recommended to students of the subject of air defense.

I purchase it on Amazon for under $20. Once I started reading it, I could not put it down. The first Hawk book that took you from inception to final use by US Army. I found so many nuggets of info I didn’t know, that I couldn’t stop reading. For example , reforestation this book, there was virtually no info about Hawk in Vietnam. Now we know it’s vital part in the war. How it was attacked several times. Unfortunately, Marines were killed, Hawk Missile were destroyed. Viet Cong hated the Hawk and feared it and were determined to wipe it out. If you were involved in any capacity with the Hawk Missle, this is a must read.. Thank you Marc Romanych and Jacqueline Scott.I am Dan Ross and I am a proud ada Hawker. mos 227.10 (24D) Hawk Msl Guidance System spec served 14 months with Hawk in ROK by Yellow Sea.)

As someone who served as a 24B Continuous Wave Acquisition Radar mechanic (1969 – 1973) and HAWK Missile System Maintenance Officer in HAWK Air Defense Missile System (1973 – 1992) for 23 years, this is a great book. It is an accurate description of how the weapon system evolved and how it was deployed worldwide. I was very fortunate to have been a part of the history that dealt with this weapon system during the Cold war. Anyone who is interested in the Cold War and the history of Air Defense Artillery will find this book to be an invaluable resource. The HAWK motto was "If It Flies It Dies".

I was a HAWK Operater in the Marine Corps. It can be difficult to communicate how a HAWK Battery works. This book easily explains it to someone who has never seen air defense artillery in action. You may be surprised how many people have never heard of HAWK despite its prevalence across the world. Marc, Jacqueline, and Irene have done an amazing job bringing attention to a missile system that has been and still is effective. In light of what is happening today, this book will explain why certain airforces have been unable to operate with impunity. I can't recommend this book enough.