Development began in 1997 [1] and was kept under tight secrecy, for many years the weapon's manufacturers refused to acknowledge its existence.[2] The missile is guided by a Brazilian-developed passive anti-radiation seeker designed to target different types of land-based and sea-based radars with different modes, including high power surveillance radars, low power mobile radars and radars used by surface-to-air missile systems. Enemy radars can be targeted by the missile independently or with targeting data from the launch aircraft's electronic warfare systems, such as the radar warning receiver. The missile's airframe is constructed from composite materials to reduce its radar cross-section.[1] MAR-1 has been reported to have a range of 25 km when launched from an altitude of approximately 33,000 feet,[2] but according to a Brazilian engineer the actual range is far larger than this.[3]
In December 2008 the Brazilian government approved the sale of 100 MAR-1 missiles to the Pakistan Air Force in a contract worth $108 million.[1
| MAR-1 | |
|---|---|
 A MAR-1 missile mounted under the wing of an AMX attack fighter of the Brazilian Air Force. | |
| Type | Anti-radiation missile (ARM) |
| Place of origin |  Brazil |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Mectron |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 274 kilograms (600 lb) |
| Length | 4.03 metres (13.2 ft) |
| Diameter | 0.23 metres (0.75 ft) |
| Warhead | High-explosive |
| Warhead weight | 90 kilograms (200 lb) |
| Detonation mechanism | Laser/contact proximity fuse |
| Engine | Rocket motor |
| Guidance system | Passive radar homing, home-on-jam |
| Launch platform | Combat aircraft: Northrop F-5, AMX |
