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To: Spktyr
They have a nasty habit of going anywhere *but* in the direction of the target - assuimg it doesn't detonate on launch or at some random point in flight (usually close to the launcher, ruining the operator's day).

Some have called the old SA-7 MANPAD system a Redeye missile with Soviet-level quality control. It was cheap to make but its accuracy left much to be desired if the IR sensor wasn't kept in working condition (which was way too true in the hands of terrorists).

127 posted on 09/18/2005 7:07:19 AM PDT by RayChuang88
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To: RayChuang88

Even the Soviet Army couldn't keep the IR heads serviced, and the copies are no better. Even when they were working properly, it had no all-aspect capability, which means that the plane has to be heading away from you for it to even think about following it.

From what I've read, even on its best day, the Strela would be decoyed by the sun, a hot car hood, a campfire, or even just hot air and were best used at extremely short range as unguided rounds (and even then they didn't work). The Redeyes were bad, but they weren't *that* bad. Of course, this is why the Stinger came as such a nasty surprise to the Soviets in Afghanistan - they thought that the MANPAD missile was more or less a joke against something like a helicopter.

The good news is that the Stinger absolutely has a "use by" date, and there aren't many on the world arms market.


131 posted on 09/18/2005 7:38:02 AM PDT by Spktyr (Overwhelmingly superior firepower and the willingness to use it is the only proven peace solution.)
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