Surface to Air Missile facts for kids

SA-2 Guideline surface-to-air missiles, one of the most widely used SAM systems in the world

A surface-to-air missile (SAM), or ground-to-air missile (GTAM), is a type of missile that is launched from ground or from a ship to destroy aircraft or other missiles. It is one type of Anti-aircraft warfare.

Images for kids

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  An artist's depiction of a Soviet surface-to-air missile system engaging two F-16 Fighting Falcons

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  A Wasserfall missile lifts off during a test flight.

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  Typical of the "boost-glide" type weapons, the Fairey Stooge was an armed drone aircraft flown to a collision with the target. Enzian and Schmetterling were similar in concept, design and performance.

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  Nike Ajax was the first operational SAM system.

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  A moment after an S-75 Dvina (SA-2) hits an F-105 over North Vietnam, the fighter-bomber starts to spew flame.

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  The Osa was the first system to include search, track and missiles all on a single mobile platform.

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  The Strela-2 was an early and widespread MANPADs system.

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  Long-range SAMs like the RIM-161 are an important part of modern naval forces.

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  The David's Sling Stunner missile is designed for super-maneuverability. A three-pulse motor activates only during the kill-stage, providing additional acceleration and maneuverability.

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  Israel's Arrow 3 missiles use a gimbaled seeker for hemispheric coverage. By measuring the seeker's line-of-sight propagation relative to the vehicle's motion, they use proportional navigation to divert their course and line up exactly with the target's flight path.

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  A JASDF soldier uses the optical sight on the Type 91 Kai MANPADS to acquire a mock airborne target. The prominent vertical metal devices on the left are the IFF antennas.

See also

In Spanish: Misil superficie-aire para niños