The nominal diameter of a projectile. For most modern munitions, this is expressed in millimetres (e.g. 82 mm mortar projectile), but older artillery gun projectiles may be described in inches.
Munitions launched from a ground-based weapons platform, whether on land or at sea, and designed to strike aerial targets, including aeroplanes and UAVs.
This image shows an FN-6-series man-portable air-defence system (MANPADS) being fired. In Sudan, this weapon is referred to as the ‘Nayzak’. The Nayzak is most likely a Chinese FN-6 re-marked for domestic use. (ARES)
This image appears to show a remnant from either a 9M38- or 9M317-series surface-to-air missile. Positive identification of this munition cannot be made based on the imagery in this source alone; a rear control fin is visible in image but the 9M38- and 9M317-series missiles use indistinguishable rear fins. (ARES)
This image appears to shows the remnants of either a 9M38- or 9M317-series missile, however positive identification of this surface-to-air missile cannot be made based solely on the imagery in this source. The 9M38- and 9M317-series missiles are close in design and function, and are predominantly fired from the Buk family of surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems. The Buk-M2E SAM system is known to be in service in Venezuela, having been delivered under a Russian contract beginning in 2015. The source video for this entry shows the destroyed remains of a Buk-M2E launch vehicle, known as the 9A316E. (ARES)
This image shows a Mk 104 Dual Thrust Rocket Motor (DTRM), the second-stage rocket motor for the SM-2, SM-3 Blk I, and SM-6 missiles. Based on the strakes or fins attached to this Mk 104, it can be determined that it was part of an SM-3 Blk I series missile. (ARES)
This image provides a close-up view of the bottom of the MK 136 Third Stage Rocket Motor section from a RIM-161 Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) Blk I guided missile. The integral warm gas/cold gas attitude control system, including its four venturis, is visible. (ARES)
This image shows the MK 136 Third Stage Rocket Motor of a U.S. RIM-161 Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) Blk I interceptor missile. The SM-3 Blk I variants share the same propulsion sections, but have differences in the kill vehicle section. The SM-3 Blk II variants are substantially different, including new, larger-diameter propulsion sections. SM-3 missiles have a booster, dual-thrust rocket motor, third-stage rocket motor, and an altitude control section in the kill vehicle. (ARES)
This image shows a Hydra-70 rocket fitted with an Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) guidance kit, converting it into a guided missile. In this case, the missile features an M151 high explosive (HE) warhead fitted with either an M427 or M423 point-detonating (PD) fuze. The rocket motor model cannot be determined from this source alone, but it is most likely to be a MK 66-series motor. The launcher appears to be a LAND-LGR4 model produced by Arnold Defense. (ARES)
Positive identification of this surface-to-air missile cannot be made based on the imagery in the source. The items highlighted in this image are most likely the remains of either a 9M38- or 9M317-series missile, based on fin construction and their size relative to the individual posing in the foreground. These two missiles are close in design and function, and are predominantly fired from the Buk series of SAM systems. (ARES)
The 9N314M warhead shown here can be used in both 9M38- and 9M317-series missiles. In this particular case, according to the source, it was taken from a 9M38M1 missile. (ARES)
Although the source claims that this image shows a Buk-M3 surface-to-air missile system, this imagery is not sufficient to determine whether the remnants highlighted are from a 9M38-or 9M317-series guided missile. (ARES)
This guided munition is built around a sacrificial DJI Avata-series UAV that has been fitted with an improvised explosive device (IED). From front to back, it consists of an impact switch made from a syringe, the main charge (yellow/white material in a plastic bag), and a battery that acts as the power source. While crudely made, it is probably still functional. (ARES)
This image shows the top of the booster of an Arrow 3 interceptor missile, where it connects to the kill vehicle. The Arrow 3 was jointly developed by the United States and Israel, and first entered service in 2017. The date of manufacture marking (“DATE OF MFG: 05/2018”) indicates that this booster was produced in the year after the Arrow 3 first entered service. (ARES)
This image shows the booster of an Israeli Arrow 3 interceptor missile. The Arrow 3 is designed to engage ballistic missiles and is capable of exo-atmospheric interceptions. Once the booster is expended, it separates from the ‘kill vehicle’. The kill vehicle has a sustainer motor that propels it towards the incoming ballistic missile, and uses kinetic impact, rather than an explosive warhead, to disable or destroy its target. This is sometimes called the ‘hit-to-kill’ principle. (ARES)
This image shows a remnant of the control section of the Arrow 2 ‘kill vehicle’, including the control fins. The blast-fragmentation warhead is located in the front section of the kill vehicle, forward of the control section, and is absent here due to the functioned state of the munition. (ARES)
The source for this entry reports that these remnants were left behind after the missiles were “recycled“. Explosive remnants of war (ERW) are often recycled for the value of their scrap metal, or ‘harvested’ by militant groups for the explosive material. These recycling attempts may result in the ERW exploding, potentially killing or injuring people. (ARES)
This image shows the flare from a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system's ‘Talon’ kinetic interceptor missile. The flare is located at the aft end of the missile's booster engine. The ‘petals’ of the flare are initially flush, and are actuated into the deployed position, seen here, as part of the missile‘s functioning. (ARES)
This image shows a fragment of the “inner petal assembly” of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system’s ‘Talon’ interceptor missile. The part number for the assembly (“23917ASSY1A62803-101 REV.E / E”), Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code (“07554”), manufacturer abbreviation (“CTL”), and serial number (“S/N DDLKD”) are visible. This CAGE code and manufacturer abbreviation are associated with CTL Aerospace Inc, a subcontractor for Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of the THAAD system. It is not uncommon for complex munitions to be made by several different manufacturers, and thus multiple CAGE codes may be present as a result of the various subcontractors. (ARES)
The Stunner surface-to-air missile fired by the David’s Sling air defence system is a two-stage interceptor, meaning that the munition contains two separate rocket motors for launch and propulsion. The first stage, or launch motor, detaches from the munition after a short time, before the second stage, or flight motor, ignites. The second stage motor, visible here, was found relatively intact. (ARES)
The Stunner missile is the surface-to-air interceptor missile fired by the David’s Sling weapon system to defeat short-range ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, drones, and rockets. The Stunner does not carry an explosive warhead, instead relying on kinetic impact (also called the ‘hit-to-kill’ principle) to intercept ballistic missiles and other targets. (ARES)
This image shows most of the forward half of a Tamir surface-to-air missile, including the guidance section and warhead, as fired by launchers in the Iron Dome system. These interceptor missiles are fast and manoeuvrable with a relatively small explosive payload. Their construction and low yield means that remnants are often recovered largely intact. (ARES)
This image shows the nosecone from an Israeli Tamir surface-to-air missile. This component is often found as a remnant after the functioning of the missile. (ARES)
The Tamir Interceptor is the missile fired from Israel’s Iron Dome defence system to intercept incoming rockets, missiles, projectiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles (‘drones’). The Tamir uses a warhead with a relatively small explosive yield, which typically results in the guidance section, nosecone, and (spent) rocket motor falling to the ground relatively intact after functioning. (ARES)
The 57E6 series of missiles fired from the 96K6 Pantsir system use a two-stage design that is unusual for surface-to-air missiles of this type. The remnant seen in this image is part of the missile’s booster section, which accelerates the second stage to a high velocity before separating. The booster section uses a distinctive toffee-brown, filament-wound composite body. (ARES)
This image shows a remnant of the control section from a 9M83-series surface-to-air missile. The 9M83 is launched by the Russian S-300V air defence system. The system and its missile have received the NATO designation ‘SA-12A Gladiator’. Missiles launched by air defence systems are often referred to by the name of the respective complete platform, rather than the specific model of the missile itself. For example, ‘S-300’ or ‘S-300V’ rather than ‘9M83’. (ARES)
Launched from a ground-based weapon platform and intended to strike an aerial vehicle 
