Refinement of Anti-Aircraft Infantry (MANPADS)
Posted: 2008-07-27 17:30
I do hope all Anti-Aircraft Infantry (MANPADS <Man Portable Air Defense System>) get's some much needed attention aswell by the v0.8 installment. Certainly well overdue for a visual cleanup I'd say, especially from the hands of [R-DEV]Chuc.
Hopefully there will be no more of that "shoving-a-missle-down-the-barrel" routine. Should be more along the lines of tossing the discharged unit to the side instead similar to the SRAW and Eryx after use. However, it's said that the FIM-92 Stinger and the SA-7 Grail can be reloaded at an resupply depot or disposed of while out in the field.
Pay particular attention to the following:
FIM-92 Stinger
A. Sound of the rapid beeping of target aquisition phase.
B. Sound of the solid tone of target lock-on phase.
<Note: Although they seem to be firing at an airborne target, it's clear that they are using training missles. These missles simply simulate a "live-fire" without actually using an armed warhead. Pay close attention to the audible sounds heard during it's operational phases.>
FIM-92 Stinger Training Launch - Swiss Military
<Note: You can faintly hear the solid tone of the target lock-on phase if you listen closely.>
FIM-92 Stinger Training Launch - U.S. Military
SA-7 Grail
A. Sound of the "honking" tone of target lock-on phase.
<Note: Take note of the "honking" tone of the target lock-on phase.>
SA-7 Grail - Czech Military
<Note: Take note of the "honking" tone of the target lock-on phase.>
SA-7 Grail
Types of Anti-Aircraft missle guidance systems.
Now seeing as people are starting down the road toward the subject of Anti-Aircraft missles, let's take a moment to clarify a few things... There are several different types of anti-aircraft missles in the world.
A. Radar Guided (Radiation)
FIM-92 Stinger MANPADS
Target Guidance
The "fire-and-forget" Stinger missile employs a passive infrared seeker to home in on its airborne target. A passive infrared seeker emits no radiation that a target aircraft can detect, and, instead, guides on the infrared energy (heat) emitted by the target.*** Because the Stinger employs a passive homing seeker, it is a "fire-and-forget" weapon that needs no guidance from the operator after firing, unlike other missiles that track the reflection of a designator beam, requiring the operator to maintain a lock on the target. This allows a Stinger operator to take cover, relocate, or engage other targets immediately after firing a Stinger.
Target Identification:
The Stinger system features a proportional navigation system, integrated Indentification Friend or Foe (IFF) interrogation, and threat adaptive guidance. Proportional navigation enables the missile to effectively hit moving targets by injecting a multiplier factor into course corrections so that the missile overcorrects for a target's evasive maneuvers, leading the target to a successful interception. The integrated IFF subsystem allows the Stinger operator to query a target aircraft to determine if it is friendly. Before firing, the operator depresses a button on the gripstock assembly, emitting a coded radio signal. Aircraft equipped with friendly IFF systems will recognize the coded signal and respond with the appropriate coded reply. The IFF subsystem emits one tone if it authenticates a friendly aircraft, and another if the aircraft is unknown. The IFF subsystem is intended to prevent friendly-fire incidents. The Stinger's threat adaptive guidance takesover in the final stages of its approach to the target, slightly shifting the missile's aim from the target's IR hotspot to more vulnerable areas of the aircraft.
*** - Before there is a misconception... Be advised that in this explanation is that the missle ITSELF does not emit any GUIDANCE SIGNATURE for an aircraft to detect... However, the truth of the matter is that any aircraft properly outfitted with modern electronic IR detection can still identify an incoming Heat Seeking missle.
The way these electronic IR detectors work is that it constantly monitors the outside world on a vigil for an irregular "Heat plume" that is generated by an incoming missle. If the detection system does notice the incoming missle, it will warn the pilot which then must begin evading and dispensing flare countermeasures. As you can see, it is significantly harder to detect a Heat Seeking missle than it is a Radar Guided missle that bounces radar waves off of the aircrafts metallic skin.
SA-7 Grail MANPADS
Target Guidance
The SA-7 GRAIL (Strela-2) man-portable, shoulder-fired, low-altitude SAM system is similar to the US Army REDEYE, with a high explsive warhead and passive infrared homing guidance. The HN-5 ( Hong Nu = Red Cherry ) is an improved Chinese version with upgraded capabilities. The SA-7 was the first generation of Soviet man portable surface-to-air missiles. Although classed as "fire and forget" types, the missiles were easily overcome by solar heat and, when used in hilly terrain, by heat from the ground. The SA-7 seeker is fitted with a filter to reduce the effectiveness of decoying flares and to block IR emissions. The system consists of the missile (9K32 & 9K32M), a reloadable gripstock (9P54 & 9P54M), and a thermal battery (9B17).
Target Identification:
An identification friend or foe (IFF) system can be fitted to the operators helmet. Further, a supplementary early warning system consisting of a passive RF antenna and headphones can be used to provide early cue about the approach and rough direction of an enemy aircraft. Although the SA-7 is limited in range, speed, and altitude, it forces enemy pilots to fly above minimum radar limitations which results in detection and vulnerability to regimental and divisional air defense systems.
Anti-Aircraft Vehicles
Tunguska-M1 and Armament
The Tunguska-M1 vehicle carries eight 9M311-M1 surface-to-air missiles. The missile (NATO designation SA-19 Grison) has semi-automatic radar command to line-of-sight guidance, weighs 40kg with a 9kg warhead. It is 2.5m long with a diameter of 1.7m and wingspan of 2.2m. The missile's maximum speed is 900m/s and can engage targets travelling at speeds up to 500m/s. Range is from 15 to 6,000m for ground targets and 15 to 10,000m for air targets.
M6 Linebacker and Armament
The current production Stinger missiles are the RMP (Reprogrammable Microprocessor) FIM-92D and the Block I FIM-92E. It has a dual-mode infrared and ultraviolet rosette scan seeker. It is 1.5m long and 70mm in diameter and weighs 10kg at launch with a 3kg HE-FRAG (High Explosive Fragmentation) warhead. Maximum speed is Mach 2.2 and range is 200m to 4.5km. Maximum altitude is 3.8km. The Block I missile has a new roll frequency sensor and an improved processor.
By the way... The M1 Tunguska carries 8 missles onboard with 2 in storage. The M6 Linebacker carries 4 missles onboard with 6 in storage. This means both AAV's have a realistic missle capacity of 10 compared to the current 8 missle limit.
That pretty much sums it all up. But now you probably understand Anti-Aircraft missles better than before.
Hopefully there will be no more of that "shoving-a-missle-down-the-barrel" routine. Should be more along the lines of tossing the discharged unit to the side instead similar to the SRAW and Eryx after use. However, it's said that the FIM-92 Stinger and the SA-7 Grail can be reloaded at an resupply depot or disposed of while out in the field.
Pay particular attention to the following:
FIM-92 Stinger
A. Sound of the rapid beeping of target aquisition phase.
B. Sound of the solid tone of target lock-on phase.
<Note: Although they seem to be firing at an airborne target, it's clear that they are using training missles. These missles simply simulate a "live-fire" without actually using an armed warhead. Pay close attention to the audible sounds heard during it's operational phases.>
FIM-92 Stinger Training Launch - Swiss Military
<Note: You can faintly hear the solid tone of the target lock-on phase if you listen closely.>
FIM-92 Stinger Training Launch - U.S. Military
SA-7 Grail
A. Sound of the "honking" tone of target lock-on phase.
<Note: Take note of the "honking" tone of the target lock-on phase.>
SA-7 Grail - Czech Military
<Note: Take note of the "honking" tone of the target lock-on phase.>
SA-7 Grail
Types of Anti-Aircraft missle guidance systems.
Now seeing as people are starting down the road toward the subject of Anti-Aircraft missles, let's take a moment to clarify a few things... There are several different types of anti-aircraft missles in the world.
A. Radar Guided (Radiation)
- Positive aspects - Long range detection. Not effected by flare countermeasures.
- Negative aspects - Target aircraft can easily determine when being detected and begin to evade. Is effected by chaff countermeasures.
- Positive aspects - Target aircraft cannot easily determine when being detected and begin to evade. Not effected by chaff countermeasures.
- Negative aspects - Short range detection (Sometimes assisted by radar.). Is effected by flare countermeasures.
Anti-Aircraft InfantryM.Warren wrote:(Currently Used in BF2/PR) Heat seeking missles are guided by infared imaging where the heat of the engine exhaust usually is it's source of guidance using the aircrafts own power source against it. Although it is usually countered by flares which simply burn extremely hot and try to trick the missle into thinking it's the actual target causing it to detonate it's warhead... Although, rather than the missle blowing up as it should, it just flies through the flares instead in BF2/PR.
(Not currently used in BF2/PR) However radar guided missles generally operate upon the basis of the detection of a metallic object within a certain proximity, usually countered by chaff which are simple thin shredded metal strips that fan out in a large area (Like a wall of metallic confetti.) to attempt to trick the missle into thinking it's the target causing it to detonate it's warhead.
But currently, no it's not realistic. But it also would be difficult because now PR would have to devise a new missle counter measure system and different types of missles to be fired and pilots would have to know what to do when to do it and how to deal with it.
FIM-92 Stinger MANPADS
Target Guidance
The "fire-and-forget" Stinger missile employs a passive infrared seeker to home in on its airborne target. A passive infrared seeker emits no radiation that a target aircraft can detect, and, instead, guides on the infrared energy (heat) emitted by the target.*** Because the Stinger employs a passive homing seeker, it is a "fire-and-forget" weapon that needs no guidance from the operator after firing, unlike other missiles that track the reflection of a designator beam, requiring the operator to maintain a lock on the target. This allows a Stinger operator to take cover, relocate, or engage other targets immediately after firing a Stinger.
Target Identification:
The Stinger system features a proportional navigation system, integrated Indentification Friend or Foe (IFF) interrogation, and threat adaptive guidance. Proportional navigation enables the missile to effectively hit moving targets by injecting a multiplier factor into course corrections so that the missile overcorrects for a target's evasive maneuvers, leading the target to a successful interception. The integrated IFF subsystem allows the Stinger operator to query a target aircraft to determine if it is friendly. Before firing, the operator depresses a button on the gripstock assembly, emitting a coded radio signal. Aircraft equipped with friendly IFF systems will recognize the coded signal and respond with the appropriate coded reply. The IFF subsystem emits one tone if it authenticates a friendly aircraft, and another if the aircraft is unknown. The IFF subsystem is intended to prevent friendly-fire incidents. The Stinger's threat adaptive guidance takesover in the final stages of its approach to the target, slightly shifting the missile's aim from the target's IR hotspot to more vulnerable areas of the aircraft.
*** - Before there is a misconception... Be advised that in this explanation is that the missle ITSELF does not emit any GUIDANCE SIGNATURE for an aircraft to detect... However, the truth of the matter is that any aircraft properly outfitted with modern electronic IR detection can still identify an incoming Heat Seeking missle.
The way these electronic IR detectors work is that it constantly monitors the outside world on a vigil for an irregular "Heat plume" that is generated by an incoming missle. If the detection system does notice the incoming missle, it will warn the pilot which then must begin evading and dispensing flare countermeasures. As you can see, it is significantly harder to detect a Heat Seeking missle than it is a Radar Guided missle that bounces radar waves off of the aircrafts metallic skin.
SA-7 Grail MANPADS
Target Guidance
The SA-7 GRAIL (Strela-2) man-portable, shoulder-fired, low-altitude SAM system is similar to the US Army REDEYE, with a high explsive warhead and passive infrared homing guidance. The HN-5 ( Hong Nu = Red Cherry ) is an improved Chinese version with upgraded capabilities. The SA-7 was the first generation of Soviet man portable surface-to-air missiles. Although classed as "fire and forget" types, the missiles were easily overcome by solar heat and, when used in hilly terrain, by heat from the ground. The SA-7 seeker is fitted with a filter to reduce the effectiveness of decoying flares and to block IR emissions. The system consists of the missile (9K32 & 9K32M), a reloadable gripstock (9P54 & 9P54M), and a thermal battery (9B17).
Target Identification:
An identification friend or foe (IFF) system can be fitted to the operators helmet. Further, a supplementary early warning system consisting of a passive RF antenna and headphones can be used to provide early cue about the approach and rough direction of an enemy aircraft. Although the SA-7 is limited in range, speed, and altitude, it forces enemy pilots to fly above minimum radar limitations which results in detection and vulnerability to regimental and divisional air defense systems.
Anti-Aircraft Vehicles
Tunguska-M1 and Armament
The Tunguska-M1 vehicle carries eight 9M311-M1 surface-to-air missiles. The missile (NATO designation SA-19 Grison) has semi-automatic radar command to line-of-sight guidance, weighs 40kg with a 9kg warhead. It is 2.5m long with a diameter of 1.7m and wingspan of 2.2m. The missile's maximum speed is 900m/s and can engage targets travelling at speeds up to 500m/s. Range is from 15 to 6,000m for ground targets and 15 to 10,000m for air targets.
M6 Linebacker and Armament
The current production Stinger missiles are the RMP (Reprogrammable Microprocessor) FIM-92D and the Block I FIM-92E. It has a dual-mode infrared and ultraviolet rosette scan seeker. It is 1.5m long and 70mm in diameter and weighs 10kg at launch with a 3kg HE-FRAG (High Explosive Fragmentation) warhead. Maximum speed is Mach 2.2 and range is 200m to 4.5km. Maximum altitude is 3.8km. The Block I missile has a new roll frequency sensor and an improved processor.
By the way... The M1 Tunguska carries 8 missles onboard with 2 in storage. The M6 Linebacker carries 4 missles onboard with 6 in storage. This means both AAV's have a realistic missle capacity of 10 compared to the current 8 missle limit.
That pretty much sums it all up. But now you probably understand Anti-Aircraft missles better than before.
