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| General
information |
| The
SA-7b Grail (Russian denomination 9K32M Strela-2M)
is the second genration of portable air defence
missile system, made by the Russian defence industry.
In order to address the shortcomings, two improved
versions were ordered already in the same as the
basic version of SA-7; as an intermediate stop-gap
the slightly improved 9K32M “Strela-2M”
(NATO reporting name SA-7b) to replace the original,
as well as the more ambitious Strela-3. The development
of this relatively simple missile STRELA-2 (NATO
code: SA-7A) began in 1959, and the basic version
was put into service after 1966. Its advanced version
STRELA-2M (SA-7B) with improved infra-red homing
system, a more effective warhead and engine, including
new detection device, has been in service since
1971. Strela-2M proved to be a considerably smaller
and lighter package, the role of the Strela was
changed, becoming a heavier, vehicle-mounted system
with increased range and performance, to better
support the ZSU-23-4 in the regimental air defense
role.
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| Variants
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9K32
Srela-2 SA-7
- 9K34 Strela-3 SA-14 Gremlin
- 9K310 Igla-1 SA-16 Gimlet
- 9K38 Igla SA-18 Grouse
- 9K310-1 Igla-1M
- 9K338 Igla-S SA-24 Grinch |
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 Back
to top |
| Design |
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The missile launcher system consists of
the green missile launch tube containing
the missile, a grip stock and a cylindrical
thermal battery. The launch tube is reloadable
at depot, but missile rounds are delivered
to fire units in their launch tubes. As
the modifications introduced with the Strela-2M
were relatively minor, the process was fast
and it was accepted in service already in
1970. The Strela-2M replaced Strela-2 in
production lines immediately. Improvements
were made particularly to increase the engagement
envelope of the new system.
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| Missile |
| The
SA-7b Grail consists of the missile 9K32M.
The missile is fitted with a passive infrared
homing system and a contact fuse and it
is guided to contrast heat sources, usually
the outlet pipe of an aircraft engine. It
is powered by a two-stage solid fuel engine.
The target is detected visually by the operator;
an additional IFF system can be used to
identify its nationality. Activation of
the homing system and electronic circuits
takes 4 to 6 seconds, the engine is ignited
0.8 second after that. For stabilisation
reasons, the missile rotates about its longitudinal
axis (20 rps). The target is destroyed by
a pressure wave and splinters upon the initiation
of the HE warhead. After launching, the
operator can reload the device up to 5 times.
The system includes a 9M32M missile in a
9P54M container, 9P58 launcher, 9B17 electric
battery, 9V810M mobile testing and support
assets, 9F620, 9F622 and 9F626 training
and simulation installations.
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| 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. This action "uncages"
the seeker and allows it attempt to track.
If target IR signature can be tracked against
the background present, this is indicated
by green light and buzzer sound. The shooter
then pulls the trigger fully, and immediately
applies lead and superelevation. 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 superelevation of the launch tube.
The seeker will uncage and will automatically
launch the missile if a strong enough signal
is detected.
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| Combat
use |
The
SA-7b uses an higher thrust propellant which
increase slant range from 3.4 to 4.2 km
and ceiling from 1.5 to 2.3 km. The systems
uses a new improved guidance and control
logic allowed the engagement of propeller-driven
and helicopter aircraft (but not jets) approaching
at a maximum speed of 150 m/s. STRELA-2M
can cooperate with a miniature elint seeker
which can be fitted to the operator´s
helmet and can locate sources of active
radiation in an aircraft, like a radar,
radar altimeter etc. Since late 70s, an
adapted version was mounted on Mil Mi-24
(HIND E) combat helicopters particularly
to combat helicopters. To date, STRELA-2M
has been considered a very efficient weapon
to destroy air targets. Its advantages include
particularly the simplicity of construction
and the way of rapid and easy employment.
Due to its small dimensions and low weight
it is easily portable.
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| Specifications |
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Armament |
One
9K32M missile |
Country
users |
| Afhanistan,
Albania, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Botswana,
Benin, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia,
China, Cuba, El salvador, Egypt, Ethiopia,
Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, India,
Iraq, Iran, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Libya,
Mongolia, Macedoniaq, Mauritania, Morocco,
Mozambique, Nicaragua, North korea, Pakistan,
Peru, Poland, Romania, Russia, Sierra
Leone, Serbia, Slovakia, Somalia, South
Yemen, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Ukraine,
Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe, |
Combat
weight |
15
kg ready to fire |
Target
engagement |
| 800
to 4,200 m
a |
Crew |
| 1
soldier |
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Type
of engaged targets |
tactical
aircraft, helicopter, UAV and cruise missile |
Missile |
Weight:
9.85 kg
Weight Warhead: 1.8 kg
Warhead type : HE High Explosive
Flight speed: 580 m/s
a
a
a
a
a
a |
Reaction
time |
5
to 10 sec. |
Guidance
sysem |
Passive
IR homing device (operating in the medium
IR range) |
Dimensions |
Length,
1,47 m |
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