[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."

[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

[cynwoody]

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

[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.