MANPADS Availability

A cache of 22 surface to air missiles was discovered by coalition forces north of Baghdad on 04 January 2006. The missiles were modern SA-13 Gophers (aka ZRK-BD Strela-10). The SA-13 missile (9M37) is 2.2 m long, 0.12 m in diameter with a 0.4 m wingspan and has a maximum speed of Mach 2. It carries a 5 kg HE warhead and is fitted with either an improved passive lead sulfide all-aspect infra-red seeker unit, or a cryogenically cooled passive all-aspect infra-red seeker unit. The estimated minimum range of the SA-13 is 500 meters and the maximum effective range is 5000 meters with altitude engagement limits of 10 to 3500 meters. The HE-fragmentation rod warhead weighs 5 kg in total (including 2.6 kg of HE) and uses both contact and active laser proximity fusing systems. The actuation radius of the proximity fuse is up to 4 meters. The main concern is that these weapons are quite sophisticated and of recent manufacture and that they have found their way into the hands of terrorist groups. When found the weapons cache was thought to have been in place only about two weeks. The story was revealed following a Freedom of Information Application by the Federation of American Scientists.  For related news