Archie to SAM: A Short Operational History of Ground-Based Air ...

FROM GUNS TO MISSILES
Figure 49. Chaparral.The Chaparral consisted of a Sidewinder air-to-air
missile adapted for surface-to-air operations. Intended as an interim,
short-term measure, it saw much longer service, including—as seen
here—in the first Gulf War. (Adapted from Defense Visual Information
Center.)
Chaparral began overseas deployment in November 1969,
and FAAR was fielded in December 1972. The historian of the
system summarizes that: “What originally appeared to be a fairly
routine task of providing a quick-fix, interim Chaparral/FAAR
capability by January 1968 turned into a nightmare of funding
shortages, performance deficiencies, changes in military
requirements, cost overruns, and schedule delays . . . further
complicated by the fragmented management structure, manpower
deficiencies, and a lack of timely guidance from higher
echelons.” 53 Nevertheless, Chaparral continued to soldier on.
Later improvements included adding a forward-looking infrared
device that gives the system night capability. Other versions of
the Chaparral include trailer systems (M85) and a nautical
version (Sea Chaparral) used by the Taiwanese navy. The
United States and other countries manufactured over 700 systems
and 21,700 missiles for service in eight countries. 54
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