Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!att!cbnews!military From: waltm@maxzilla.UUCP (Walt Mattison) Newsgroups: sci.military Subject: Re: Shoulder-Launched AA Missles Message-ID: <12169@cbnews.ATT.COM> Date: 11 Dec 89 05:19:55 GMT References: <11963@cbnews.ATT.COM> <12062@cbnews.ATT.COM> Sender: military@cbnews.ATT.COM Organization: Encore Computer Corp, Marlboro, MA Lines: 61 Approved: military@att.att.com From: waltm@maxzilla.UUCP (Walt Mattison) In article <12062@cbnews.ATT.COM> tek@CS.UCLA.EDU (Ted Kim (Random Dude)) writes: > > >From: tek@CS.UCLA.EDU (Ted Kim (Random Dude)) > >In article <11963@cbnews.ATT.COM> jln@Portia.stanford.edu (Jared Nedzel) writes: >>... >> The man-portable missiles have severe limits >> in maximum range and I don't believe any of them are "all-aspect." (i.e. > ^^^^^^^^^^ >While I don't think it is officially confirmed ... > >I believe most people attribute all-aspect capability to the Stinger >(FIM-92). But, of course, all-aspect is not the same as "equally >effective in all directions". It simply means it is realistic to try >shooting at a closing target. As for other IR guided light SAMs, Grail >(SA-7) and Redeye (FIM-43) are probably not all-aspect, though Gremlin >(SA-14) may be. > >Of course, optically-guided light SAMs like Blowpipe and Javelin can >also be considered all-aspect, though certainly not fire-and-forget, >since they depend on operator to guide the missile during its flight. I won't talk about U.S. weapons but the Soviet SA-14 is considered "all-aspect" in it's capabilities to down aircraft. It can engage aircraft pulling up to 8 gs and can engage at ranges of up to 13000ft. It is also assumed that the SA-16 is all aspect but that is uncomfirmed. The problem with hand held IR guided SAMs is that you must expose yourself to fire not only from the target but to any other fire in the area.( Note; U.S. cas aircraft are typically deployed in trios to cause disruption of effective target aquistion from the ground) The SAM also needs open line of sight to target to get green light for launch, the ir seeker takes several seconds to get lock, how often, other than on a n nice clean firing range will a target present itself for this sort of abuse? Hand held SAMs exist for several reasons, 1. To give ground troops some comfort level about getting rid of pesky aircraft. 2. To disrupt a pilots target run, maybe get him to fly into the ground... 3. Force nervous pilots to higher altitudes where they can be dispatched more effectively by better SAMs. 4. They are most effective against rotary wing aircraft, ( great against troop ships) However since the Soviets have over 9000 SAM launchers deployed with their Army they could be a factor. They have also exported over 20000 SAMs to third world nations, these could be a real joy in the hands of some of the quacks running most of the worlds countries. Walt Mattison