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Function MANPAD Manufacturer Shahid Shah Abhady Industrial Complex Entered service 2005 General characteristics Engine solid rocket motor Launch mass 12.74 kg Length Unknown Diameter Unknown Speed 700 m/s Range 5 km Service ceiling 5 km Warhead 1.42 kg Guidance Fire and Forget Launch platform Man portable

http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geu.49m95Fkt4APjNXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTE3ZGV2MG4wBGNvbG8DZQRsA1dTMQRwb3MDMgRzZWMDc3IEdnRpZANERkQ1XzEyNg--/SIG=12p287eps/EXP=1172303037/**http%3a//www.iraqslogger.com/index.php/post/1328/Pics_of_Iranian_MANPAD
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No need for iran to buy them,,,they make them,,,
now just where did they say they bought them ??...;0)

"Although numerous technical means have been found to increase ballistic tolerance and reduce the chance of flight-threatening damage from small-arms fire, helicopters simply cannot be fitted with enough armor to make them impervious to bullets."

This is quite at odds with the claimed ability for an AH-64 to shrug off .50 cal hits, and tolerate most 20 mm. cannon hits:

The Apache is of conventional configuration for a modern attack helicopter. It has a main-tail rotor arrangement, a tandem-seat cockpit, nose-mounted sight, and two stub wings with a total of four pylons for underwing stores. The airframe is made mostly of aircraft aluminum alloys, but is designed to withstand 12.7 (0.50 caliber) millimeter projectile hits from all quarters, and can tolerate 23 millimeter projectile hits.

http://www.faqs.org/docs/air/avah64.html#m2

I'd be surprised if the insurgents are firing 23 mm. or heavier weapons, those tend to get noticed. ;-)

Thinking about it, though, I find it hard to believe a helicopter (and crew) would be completely safe from .50 cal fire.