timc Posted September 14, 2011 Posted September 14, 2011 The typical (or standard?) set up for the SA-11 appears to be acquisition radar platform (grill pan?), command centre a number of launchers. Am I right in thinking that even if I disable the radar platform the launchers are still capable of tracking and launching the missile? I have read that the missile has semi-active radar guidance but am not sure what this means. Thanks in advance.
NoJoe Posted September 14, 2011 Posted September 14, 2011 The typical (or standard?) set up for the SA-11 appears to be acquisition radar platform (grill pan?), command centre a number of launchers. Am I right in thinking that even if I disable the radar platform the launchers are still capable of tracking and launching the missile? I have read that the missile has semi-active radar guidance but am not sure what this means. Thanks in advance. Yes, you are correct that even if you disable the main radar, the launchers are still capable of launching and guiding their missiles on to you. The SA-11 launchers themselves have radar on them. However, this means they will have a shorter detection range, as the on-board radar on the launcher vehicles is significantly smaller than the large main radar platform. What semi-active radar homing means is that the missiles need something (either the main radar or the smaller radar on each launcher) to "paint", or highlight, the target for them with radar. Basically that the SAM radar locks on to you, and the missiles fly toward the radar energy that is reflected from you. The missiles do not have their own radar. Hope this makes sense; it's early and I haven't had my coffee yet. ;) --NoJoe
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