Man-Portable Air Defense Systems

Man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS) are portable shoulder-launched surface-to-air missiles that pose a threat to low-flying aircraft and cruise missiles. These short-range missiles were developed in the 1950s to protect military ground forces from jet aircraft and are now widely available through various sources. Twenty-five countries produce MANPADS, with the missiles typically ranging from 1.5 to 1.8 meters in length and weighing around 17 to 18 kilograms. MANPADS have a target detection range of approximately 10 kilometers and an engagement range of about 6 kilometers. The missiles can be guided using infrared homing, with various generations of missiles offering improved performance and capabilities.learn more on wikipedia