鉴于华沙条约与中、北欧的北约组织坦克实力之比为三比一领先的情况,英国宇航公司动力分公司应英国空军总部和北约组织反装甲的要求,正在研制一种快速反应、小巧、带有穿甲战斗部、激光导引头的机载“佩刀”(Sabre)导弹。这种导弹的优点在于低成本和几乎可挂在所有西欧现有的快速反应近距支援飞机或强击机的机翼下面。“佩刀”导弹在英国宇航公司地一空“长剑”(Rapier)导弹的基础上改成,命中率很高,是能攻击 In view of the fact that the Warsaw Pact and the Central-Nordic NATO tank strength are leading by a ratio of three to one, the British Aerospace Power Division is developing a rapid reaction, compact and belt-based system at the request of British Air Force headquarters and NATO anti-armor Airborne Saber missiles with armor warheads and laser seekers. The advantage of such missiles is their low cost and their ability to hang under almost any wing of the existing rapid response close proximity support aircraft or assault plane in Western Europe. The Saber missile was converted to a full-fledged Rapier missiles on British Aerospace, with a high hit rate, capable of attacking