The
SA-24 Grinch (Russian name Igla-S 9K338) is the
latest generation of Russian portable air defense
missile system. The SA-24 Grinch Igla-S is a further
development of the Igla family systems (SA-18 and
SA-16). In 2004 the Russian army adopted the new
MANPADS - Igla-S (sometimes called "Igla-Super")
which is much more sophisticated and efficient in
countering air threats. Serial production of the
"Igla-S" ("Needle-S") portable
antiaircraft missile complex (PAAMC) is conducted
at the Degtyarev factory in the city of Kovrov.
The "Igla-S" PAAMC by its capabilities
is significantly superior to the "Igla"
PAAMC, which entered service in 1983.
The Igla-S (SA-24 Grinch) system comprises:
- Combat equipment including the 9M342 missile
and the 9P522 launching mechanism
- Maintenance equipment, including the 9V866-2
mobile test station and the 9F719-2 test
set
- Training facilities
- Night firing devices
Missile
The
launcher unit 9P522 fires the missile 9M342.
The effectiveness of the 9M342 missile against
air targets is attributed to the increase
weight of the explosive in the missile's
warhead and to the impact/proximity fuze
enabling the missile to kill the target
both in the event of a direct hit and when
it passes at a distance of up to 1.5 m from
the target. The target engagement has increased
to 6 km compared with the 5.2 km of the
Igla (SA-16 / SA-18) system.
Operations
When
engaging slow or straight-receding targets,
the operator tracks the target with the
iron sights in the launch tube and applies
half-trigger. The shooter then pulls the
trigger fully, and immediately applies lead
and super elevation. This method is called
a manual engagement. An automatic mode,
which is used against fast targets, allows
the shooter to fully depress the trigger
in one pull followed by immediate lead and
super elevation of the launch tube.
The 9V866-2 and 9F719-2 maintenance facilities
can be used to check the missile and the
launching mechanisms of the Igla and Igla-1
MANPADS. The 9P522 launcher can be used
to fire the Igla and Igla-S portable SAM
system. The 9M342 missile can be mounted
on different platforms using control equipment
and launching modules of the Strelets (9S846)
set.
Combat
use
The
SA-24 Grinch Igla-S man portable air defence
missile (MANPADS) system is designed for
use against visible targets as tactical
aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicle,
cruise missile, head-on or receding, in
the presence of natural (background) clutter
and countermeasures. The SA-24 Grinch Igla-S
features high effectiveness and increased
range against small targets, such as cruise
missile and remotely piloted vehicles. The
SA-24 Grinch Igla-S is able to engage targets
at night.
Specifications
Armament
One
9M343 missile
Country
users
Libya,
Russia, Venezuela.
a
a
a
a
Combat
weight
17
kg ready to fire
Target
engagement
500
to 6,000 m
a
Crew
1
soldier
Type
of engaged targets
tactical
aircraft, helicopter, UAV and cruise missile
Missile
Weight:
10.8 kg
Weight Warhead: 2,5 kg
Warhead type : HE Fragmentation
Flight speed: 570 m/s
Altitude: 10 - 3,500 m
Reaction
time
5
to 10 sec.
Guidance
sysem
Passive
IR homing device and night vision (operating
in the medium IR range)
Kyodo
news says the Japanese defense ministry is considering permanently deploying
Patriot
surface-to-air defense missile interceptors at its Tokyo
headquarters.
