SA-18 (Grouse) / 9K38 Igla

SA-18 (Grouse) / 9K38 Igla History

SA-18 (NATO: "Grouse"), officially recognized by the Russian Army as 9K38 "Igla", is a modern man-portable aircraft , shoulder-mounted air defense system. The system consists of a launch tube with integrated optics and a trigger unit, which is coupled to an infrared homing missile. The weapon was adopted by the Soviet military in 1983 and retained by the modern Russian military after the fall of the Soviet Empire in 1991 - flying aircraft such as fixed-wing aircraft and attack helicopters.

The production of the weapon is carried out through KBM's offices in Kolomna, Russia.

The design origins of the SA-18 can be traced back to an initiative in the early 1970s to provide the Soviet Army with a modern, more effective and man-portable air defense measure beyond the existing SA-7 and SA-14 systems in addition Developed and then in use. The program eventually evolved into two distinct product targets, producing the preliminary (technically simpler) 9K310 "Igla-1" (NATO: "SA-16") and the more advanced 9K38 "Igla" (NATO: "SA-18" ) ). The SA-18 launcher emerged as the successor to the SA-14 series, albeit with an entirely new missile development. The overall design of the weapon was conventional, including an elongated tubular launch tube that, when fired, hung on Launched on the operator's shoulder. The system comes with a shoulder strap for transport.

The power pack, pistol grip trigger assembly and optics are all located on the front of the launcher.

SA-18 in service with the Red Army in 1983 (SA-16 in 1981). Extensive modernization subsequently produced the latest incarnation of the Igla, known as the "Igla-S" (NATO: SA-24 "Grinch"). The naval form of the SA-18 is referred to by NATO as the SA-N-10 "Groose".

The 9M39 series missiles rely on a two-color infrared guidance system (to minimize vulnerability to flares deployed by target aircraft) and are powered by a single solid-fuel rocket motor. The missile has a range of up to 3.2 miles and can operate at altitudes of 11,000 feet while reaching speeds approaching Mach 2. 3. The missile's lethal payload consists of a 2.6-pound warhead detonation via contact and fuze. The rocket is nearly as long as the launch tube itself and has spring-loaded fins for flight stabilization after launch. With the new seeker, the missile now has a longer effective range and higher attack speed. Perhaps the most notable improvement comes from its self-protection against the latest electro-optical jamming devices.

As a result, the missile could be up to 48 percent more effective against unsuspecting, unprotected aircraft.

The SA-18 was used by numerous world powers, many of which took advantage of the close Soviet-Russian Cold War relationship. Therefore, countries such as Egypt, Syria, Iran, Ukraine and Vietnam all use the SA-18 system.

Specification

Basics

Years of Service

1983

Origins

Soviet Union

Categories

Portable shoulder-launched anti-aircraft missile system

Manufacturer

KBM - USSR/Russia

Operator

Armenia; Belarus; Brazil; Bulgaria; Cuba; Egypt; Eritrea; Finland; Georgia; Hungary; Indonesia; India; Iran; Iraq; Kazakhstan; Macedonia; Myanmar; Malaysia; Mexico; Morocco; Mongolia; Peru; Russia; Serbia; Singapore; Slovakia; South Korea; former Soviet Union; Sri Lanka; Syria; Thailand; Turkey; Ukraine; Vietnam; Zimbabwe

ROLLERS

Air Defense

Able to attack low-flying threats from the air.

Dimensions and Weight

Overall Length

1,574 mm

61. 97 inches

Run Length

1,574 mm

61. 97 inches

Cured weight

39.46 lbs

17.90 kg

Attractions

Integrated Optics

Action

Tube launches infrared guided missiles

CARTRIDGE & FEED

Caliber(s)*

72mm

Rounds / Feed

Single-Shot Reusable

PERFORMANCE

Max Eff. Range

17,060 ft

(5,200 m | 5,687 yd)

Rate-of-Fire

1

rds/min

VARIANTS

SA-18 "Grouse" - NATO codename designation9K38 "Igla" (SA-18 "Grouse") - Russian GRAU designation; appearing in 1983. 9K310 "Igla-1" (SA-16 "Gimlet") - Simplified production version appearing in 1981. SA-N-10 "Grouse" - NATO codename for navalized SA-18 model.

9K338 "Igla-S" (SA-24 "Grinch") - Modern improved variant of 9K38/SA-18 series.