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Surface-to-Air
Munitions launched from a ground-based weapons platform, whether on land or at sea, and designed to strike aerial targets, including aeroplanes and UAVs.
Analyst Note:
This image is a composite assembled from several screen captures taken from an IDF video. Due to camera movement and other factors, there may be some minor misalignment. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
The munition remnant pictured here is marked with a Federal Stock Number (FSN; predecessor to the National Stock Number, or NSN, found on more modern munitions) that indicates it is part of a MIM-23B Improved HAWK surface-to-air missile. Other details, including the manufacturer (“Raytheon Company”), are also visible. The FSN was replaced by the NSN in 1974, indicating that this munition must have been manufactured before that time. This is consistent with the recorded U.S. export of the MIM-23B to Iran in 1972. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image shows remnants from a MIM-23 Homing All the Way Killer (HAWK) surface-to-air missile. U.S. government documents show that MIM-23B Improved HAWK systems were exported to Iran in 1972. Iran has since manufactured a reverse-engineered version of the system. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image shows the remains of the attitude control section of either a PAC-3 CRI or PAC-3 MSE missile. This section contains the attitude control motors, used in combination with control fins to guide and adjust the missiles on its way to the target. It is difficult to determine which of the two models this wreckage belongs to due the similarities of this section in both missiles and the absence of other distinctive components. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image shows the remnants of a PAC-3 Cost Reduction Initiative (CRI) missile. The PAC-3 family of missiles are hit-to-kill interceptors that defend against incoming ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, aircraft, and other targets primarily by using kinetic impact. However, it is important to note that these missiles contain a high explosive fragmentation (HE-FRAG) “lethality enhancer” warhead. These warheads are much smaller than what would normally be expected on a surface-to-air missile of this size, but still present a hazard if it fails to function as designed. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
The Iranian 358 surface-to-air missile is reportedly a ‘loitering munition’, designed for engaging drones and rotary-wing aircraft. It employs a combination of ground-based and onboard thermal cameras to scan a designated area, and then uses an infrared imaging seeker in the nose to locate and lock onto targets. The missile carries a 10 kg fragmentation warhead, which is functioned by a 360-degree laser proximity sensor. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
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)
Analyst Note:
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)
Analyst Note:
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)
Analyst Note:
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)
Analyst Note:
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)
Analyst Note:
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)
Analyst Note:
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)
Analyst Note:
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)
Analyst Note:
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)
Analyst Note:
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)
Analyst Note:
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)
Analyst Note:
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)
Analyst Note:
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)
Analyst Note:
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)
Analyst Note:
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)
Analyst Note:
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)
Analyst Note:
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)
