The missile consists of a two-stage solid propellant rocket motor, a separation system and three high density darts. A pulse of power from the missile firing unit causes the first-stage motor to ignite, which accelerates the missile. Canted nozzles on the missile cause it to roll. The centrifugal force of the roll causes the fins to unfold for aerodynamic stability in flight. Once clear of the canister, the motor is jettisoned. The second-stage motor ignites and accelerates the missile to a velocity greater than Mach 4. A separation system at the front end of the motor contains three darts.

When the second stage motor is burnt out, the thrust triggers the three darts to automatically separate. The darts maintain a high kinetic energy as they are guided to the same single target. Each dart contains guidance and control circuitry, a thermal battery, and a high-density penetrating warhead with fuse. The separation of the darts initiates the arming of the individual warheads. Each dart is guided independently using a double laser beam riding system. As the dart impacts the target, the inertial forces activate the delay fuse, allowing the warhead to penetrate before detonation.

The Starstreak SP HVM is mounted on a tracked Alvis Stormer vehicle. The system has eight rounds of Starstreak missiles ready to fire, with a further twelve missiles carried. SP HVM is fitted with a roof-mounted Air Defence Alerting Device (ADAD), supplied by Thales (formerly Pilkington) Optronics. ADAD's infrared scanner and processor provide target detection and prioritisation and the system automatically slews the weapon sight onto the target. The use of ADAD requires that the vehicle be, briefly, stationary.

A panoramic weapon sight is supplied by Avimo and is located at the front right of the vehicle. Shorts have been given a contract to oversee the competitive selection of a thermal imaging sighting system for the British Army SP HVM.

ATASK, an airborne variant of Starstreak, provides an air-to- air capability for attack helicopters. ATASK is undergoing tests for the United States Army on the Apache attack helicopter. The first phase of the programme involved the launch of six Starstreak missiles from an Apache helicopter at the Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona. In November 1998, ATASK successfully hit targets during the airborne firing tests. During the second phase, the laser beam guidance system of Starstreak is being integrated with the Target Acquisition Sight (TADS) and fire control system of the Apache.

The portable shoulder-launched Starstreak is assembled and ready to fire in a few seconds. Preparation for firing involves clipping an aiming unit onto the missile canister. The aiming unit includes an optical head consisting of a stabilisation system, an aiming mark injector and a monocular sight. The target is acquired and optically tracked using the monocular sight and aiming mark.

The Lightweight Multiple Launcher (LML), in service with the UK Army, is integrated with Thomson Shorts Systemes' ASPIC automatic fire unit and can be carried on any light wheeled vehicle such as a Land Rover or HMMWV. The Multiple Launcher employs three canistered missiles together with clip-on equipment and a standard aiming unit. Three targets can be engaged in quick succession without the need for reloading.