Strela-2M SAM

The SA-7b Grail is a man-portable, shoulder-fired, low-altitude SAM similar to the US Army's Redeye SAM. The missile had a HE warhead and passive infrared homing guidance. The system comprises the missile, a re-loadable gripstock, and a thermal battery. The SA-7b, differs from the SA-7a primarily by using a boosted propellant charge to increase range and speed. This gives the SA-7b a slant range of about 4.2km, a speed of about Mach 1.75 and a ceiling of about 2300 metres.

A line drawing of the Strela-2M SAM

The SA-7b are tail-chase missile systems, and its effectiveness depends on its ability to lock onto the heat source of targets, usually low-flying fixed and rotary-wing aircraft. Although the SA-7b is limited in range, speed, and altitude, it forces enemy pilots to fly above minimum radar limitations which results in the detection and vulnerability to regimental and divisional air defense systems. An identification friend or foe (IFF) system can be fitted to the operator's helmet.