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The 9K38 Igla family of missile systems represents the most advanced of the Soviet Union’s man-portable Anti-Air launchers so effective that we’ve seen it still in use today by both sides of the Ukraine conflict. During the early years of the Cold War, defense industries scaled down aircraft missiles to fit into man-portable launchers but 1960’s technology meant this design philosophy came with a lot of limitations. In 1960 The USSR began development of the Strela-2 as their first production Man-Portable Air Defense System, or MANPADS for short.

Written by: Chris Cappy & Diego Aceituno
Edited by: Ian Fitzgerald

The most modern Igla-S system weighs in at 19 kilograms or about 41 lbs, including the 11 kilogram missile and has a reported range of 6 kilometers up to an altitude of 11,000 feet, allowing it to engage targets in a wide bubble around the shooter. Igla launchers were distributed throughout the Red Army in regimental air defense networks and were even issued to Soviet submarines to help counter Anti-Submarine Warfare aircraft.

Like most MANPAD systems the Igla is a heat-seeking missile meaning once the shooter locks on to the target and fires the missile steers itself towards the hot exhaust and jet nozzles of an aircraft. The missile contains a gas generator, which drives a small gas turbine to provide electrical power. The pistons move the canards to steer the missile.


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