9K32M Strela-2

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A Soviet-designed first-generation man-portable air defense system (MANPADS), the 9K32M Strela-2 is a surface-to-air missile (SAM) that can be operated by a single soldier. Its Western designation (NATO, Defense Intelligence Agency) is SA-7 GRAIL. The closest U.S. equivalent is the FIM-43 Redeye. Variants have been manufactured by China, Egypt and Pakistan.

To make it practical to carry, it has short range (5.5 KM) and a marginal chance of hitting a fast aircraft. It is, however, a credible threat to helicopters and slower-flying fixed-wing aircraft such as transports.

The missile uses an uncooled lead sulfide infrared guidance sensor. While it does have some optical filtration to reject simple decoy flares, modern infrared countermeasures systems and flight techniques make it less dangerous than more modern versions.

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