SA-18 fired at Hercules?
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SA-18 fired at Hercules?
O.k. The link doesn't work anymore, but I found this on another flying website..
Not exactly the most reliable source of information.. but here goes..
© 2006 WorldNetDaily.com
Three congressman have confirmed they were aboard a C-130 flight to Kuwait from Iraq in January when they were attacked by a sophisticated Russian SA-18 shoulder-fired missile that required the U.S. plane to employ high-technology countermeasures to avoid being hit.
They were lucky – the leased commercial aircraft transporting troops aren't equipped to with those sophisticated countermeasures.
Reps. Jeb Bradley, R-N.H., John Spratt, D-S.C., and Neil Abercrombie, D-Hawaii, confirmed the incident to The San Francisco Chronicle. They were part of a six-member delegation of the House Armed Services Committee, led by Rob Simmons, R-Conn.
Missile attacks on Air Force transports flying in and through the Iraq theater are regular occurrences, but the introduction of the SA-18 – the top Russian "man-portable air defense systems," or MANPADS – is seen as significantly increasing the danger for aircraft.
"The SA-18 is significantly harder to defend against," said Daniel Goure, of the Lexington Institute, a military affairs think tank. "The SA-18 has increased range, increased altitude, and is much better able to home in on a vital piece of aircraft equipment."
Air Force aircraft have been equipped with laser systems that deflect and incoming missile's aim, but no such systems have yet been installed on U.S. commercial airliners, including those that are part of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet, civilian aircraft under contract to ferry troops to and from the various staging bases in the Middle East.
"The Civil Reserve Air Fleet ... (is) a prime target for terrorists or enemies with MANPADS," Rep. Steve Israel, D-N.Y., said. "The impact of the loss of just one such aircraft would be incalculable. ... It is past time to extend this protection to the CRAF fleet and, ultimately, to the entire commercial air fleet."
In 2002, a failed attempt was made to shoot down an Israeli airliner taking off from Mombasa, Kenya. The U.S. Defense Department documents 43 civilian aircraft hit by MANPADS worldwide. Thirty of those hit were destroyed, resulting in 900 passenger and crew deaths.
Two companies have developed systems that could be used on commercial airliners at an installed cost of less than a million dollars per plane.
The Department of Homeland Security is not expected to conclude its study, mandated in 2003, into the best ways to adapt the military's laser-based infrared countermeasures systems to protect commercial airliners for another 18 months.
Not exactly the most reliable source of information.. but here goes..
© 2006 WorldNetDaily.com
Three congressman have confirmed they were aboard a C-130 flight to Kuwait from Iraq in January when they were attacked by a sophisticated Russian SA-18 shoulder-fired missile that required the U.S. plane to employ high-technology countermeasures to avoid being hit.
They were lucky – the leased commercial aircraft transporting troops aren't equipped to with those sophisticated countermeasures.
Reps. Jeb Bradley, R-N.H., John Spratt, D-S.C., and Neil Abercrombie, D-Hawaii, confirmed the incident to The San Francisco Chronicle. They were part of a six-member delegation of the House Armed Services Committee, led by Rob Simmons, R-Conn.
Missile attacks on Air Force transports flying in and through the Iraq theater are regular occurrences, but the introduction of the SA-18 – the top Russian "man-portable air defense systems," or MANPADS – is seen as significantly increasing the danger for aircraft.
"The SA-18 is significantly harder to defend against," said Daniel Goure, of the Lexington Institute, a military affairs think tank. "The SA-18 has increased range, increased altitude, and is much better able to home in on a vital piece of aircraft equipment."
Air Force aircraft have been equipped with laser systems that deflect and incoming missile's aim, but no such systems have yet been installed on U.S. commercial airliners, including those that are part of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet, civilian aircraft under contract to ferry troops to and from the various staging bases in the Middle East.
"The Civil Reserve Air Fleet ... (is) a prime target for terrorists or enemies with MANPADS," Rep. Steve Israel, D-N.Y., said. "The impact of the loss of just one such aircraft would be incalculable. ... It is past time to extend this protection to the CRAF fleet and, ultimately, to the entire commercial air fleet."
In 2002, a failed attempt was made to shoot down an Israeli airliner taking off from Mombasa, Kenya. The U.S. Defense Department documents 43 civilian aircraft hit by MANPADS worldwide. Thirty of those hit were destroyed, resulting in 900 passenger and crew deaths.
Two companies have developed systems that could be used on commercial airliners at an installed cost of less than a million dollars per plane.
The Department of Homeland Security is not expected to conclude its study, mandated in 2003, into the best ways to adapt the military's laser-based infrared countermeasures systems to protect commercial airliners for another 18 months.
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Agree.. it is a rumour network though 
Also, it's not as if someone is going to provide classified reporting info on the threat. Just after peoples thoughts. Rather serious implication though.
Also, it's not as if someone is going to provide classified reporting info on the threat. Just after peoples thoughts. Rather serious implication though.
They must be wrong. They're still alive aren't they? Good bar story for them though ..... if only they can get the hand gestures correct!
Last edited by Melchett01; 12th Apr 2006 at 17:30.
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yeah, agreed. They must have been mistaken. An SA18 "missing" a C-130 ??? but going close enough so that the passengers could clearly see and recognise it as it whizzed past the windows at Mach speedywhizz ? I thought the SA-18 was designed to attack Fast Jets? It shouldn't miss a C-130...
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Originally Posted by rafloo
yeah, agreed. They must have been mistaken. An SA18 "missing" a C-130 ??? but going close enough so that the passengers could clearly see and recognise it as it whizzed past the windows at Mach speedywhizz ? I thought the SA-18 was designed to attack Fast Jets? It shouldn't miss a C-130...
Have a chat with your Sqn EWO, he'll be able to give you the up to date gen on the SA-18.
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Don't suppose these congressmen could be in any way connected to the companies that are trying to sell the countermeasure systems to the civvies could they?? Just a wild stab in the dark
I wouldn't believe Worldnet Daily. They unquestioningly pass on anything that bolsters the Bush Administration. Look for the next article that says the SA18 was smuggled in from Iran.
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That would only be if you were firing it straight up ....which is pretty daft really. The Max effective range of the SA - 18 . (9K38 Igla) is about 17,000' . With a time of flight of about 9 seconds to reach that, these congressmen must be pretty sharp to not only spot it, but also Identify it as an SA-18.
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Originally Posted by rafloo
That would only be if you were firing it straight up ....which is pretty daft really. The Max effective range of the SA - 18 . (9K38 Igla) is about 17,000' . With a time of flight of about 9 seconds to reach that, these congressmen must be pretty sharp to not only spot it, but also Identify it as an SA-18.
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Ah yes.
Wikipedia. That trusted, definitive font of all knowledge.
The online encyclopedia compiled by ordinary members of the public.
You don't half spout some ill researched cr4p rafloo. And cutting and pasting Wikipedia articles does you no favours at all.
Wikipedia. That trusted, definitive font of all knowledge.
The online encyclopedia compiled by ordinary members of the public.
You don't half spout some ill researched cr4p rafloo. And cutting and pasting Wikipedia articles does you no favours at all.