A boom and a vapour trail as missiles just miss their mark

The Guardian ^ | Friday November 29, 2002 | Stuart Millar and Richard Norton-Taylor

[wingnuts'nbolts]

Unless I am mistaken there was a warning from the FBI that there could and probably would be a missle attack on a divilain flight some time soon. The trick is where and when.

[twntaipan]

You know, what stood out most to me in this article is not the matter of the technology available to terrorists, or even the discussion about whether or not there are useful anti-missile measures. What stands out is how the news media refuses to call al-Qaeda terrorists.

[Lessismore]

What stands out is how the news media refuses to call al-Qaeda terrorists.

"The weapon is so simple to operate that experts were puzzled how the terrorists managed to miss their target yesterday. ...

Earlier this year, evidence emerged that al-Qaida militants had access to heat-seeking SAM-7s. ...

The discovery prompted the FBI to issue an intelligence warning that terrorists could use shoulder-fired missiles to shoot down US commercial aircraft. ...

These include the US-made Stinger system, which was used to devastating effect by Afghan mohajedin fighters against Soviet occupying forces."

Actually, they sort of do call the Al Qaeda terrorists, although they are termed "militants" as well. Of course, they were "mohajedin" "freedom fighters" during the Regan administration when we were supplying them with the anti-aircraft missiles.

[Bobibutu]

Maybe their maintenance and upkeep of these weapon systems is not up to snuff - any up to date big dogs care to comment - it's one thing to have them - another to keep them in working order i.e., they missed. I have been out of the loop to long to make and intelligent assesment.



http://216.239.33.100/search?q=cache:8vPsY55fZxQC:www.rand.org/publications/MR/MR1289/MR1289.gloss.pdf+Strela+3+rocket&hl=en&ie=UTF-8


Strela
-3
(9K34)
Improved version of the SA-7 with a more power-
ful motor and cryogenically cooled passive
infrared homing seeker with proportional
guidance. NATO designation: SA-14 "Gremlin."

[cynwoody]

What stands out is how the news media refuses to call al-Qaeda terrorists.

It's not yet totally clear in this case that the terrorists are in fact Al Qaeda. Given the target, they could also be Palestinians. BTW, the article does call the perps terrorists.

[Reactionary]

There was a warning about a week ago, I think. It was reported in Insight Magazine, if I remember correctly.

The lunatics will probably try to pull something like this here.

[TeleStraightShooter]

To avoid panicking the passengers, the crew informed them that the problem had been caused by a minor technical mishap.

A reacurring theme in this war on terrorism.
Deny the "incident" had any terrorist connection or origin..........

[Lael]

cryogenically cooled passive infrared homing seeker with proportional guidance. NATO designation: SA-14 "Gremlin

Bingo!!

If ANY part is 'touchy', it is the cryogenics. Early heat seekers would often take off for the SUN!! Military jets using afterburners were easy to shoot down. But modern Fan Jet technology bypasses most air around the nacelle to mix with heat sort of like we do with Stealth.

Cryogenics either use some form of Peltier solid state heat pump, or the older Stirling Engnie in reverse. Either way, they have to be maintained.

[Lessismore]

Stingers appear to have a Battery/Coolant Unit which needs maintenance or periodic replacement according to Field Manual 44-18 Chapter 10
http://www.adtdl.army.mil/cgi-bin/atdl.dll/fm/44-18/ch10.pdf

[Lael]

Stirling Engnie = Stirling Engine

[Taiwan Bocks]

WorldNetDaily.com is really on to something, linking AlQaeda and Arafat.

The simultaneous terrorist attacks and the cooperation implied means a new chapter is opened.

All the more important for FReepers and conscientious Americans to get flaming mad.

It's the Islamists, stupid.

If they want to visit America, if they want to go to our schools,
they must prove allegience by
activily turning in the extremists among them by the thousands,
and by speaking out against terrorist attacks,
and by being willing to be profiled.

[cynwoody]

See http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/missile/row/sa-7.htm for some basic info and photos.

[L`enn]

But the thing is, they DID report it and rather soon actually. That is what struck me about this incident as opposed to TWA-800 , with as many or more witnesses (though sadly none from the plane). What struck me is the range of the SAM's. TWA-800 was inside those parameters.

It truly is a miracle that the passengers are alive. Just think how you would be feeling knowing that you came within a metre of being incinerated. And looking at the pictures of the passengers after disembarking, those are the faces and emotions of living breathing people these vermin would have destroyed. One Freeper made the point that the community should be as outraged when one of these plots are foiled as they are when they are carried to conclusion. I heartily agree.

[Bobibutu]

some argument between a 2 or a 3 but maintenance is still the question - I don't think they have the capability - batterys have to be replaced - sub systems have to be recharged - and on - these may be called "dirty and cheap" but ya got to do regular PM on them to get the job done.. am I wrong?

[spodefly]

[Bobibutu]

B I N G O

You da man

[Bobibutu]

I bet the 2s and 3s have similar requirements ... ???

[Bobibutu]

OK - was it a 2 or 3 or a 7?

7 is cool but that is not what they said they found.

[DoughtyOne]

It's my perception that Europe will fold like a pair of threes if terrorism hit's their continent big-time. Israel will be the loser if that happens. Europe will demand Israel cave on every point so that the Palestinians can attain peace through statehood. Sadly, the PLO will never allow peace as long as one jew exists.