Suspect Syrian air defence missile hits Cyprus
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Suspect Syrian air defence missile hits Cyprus
Hmmmm...
There aren’t many ‘air defense’ systems that can accidentally stray over 100 miles.
If it is, in fact, an air defense missile then the distance kind of narrows its’ type down a little.
BV
If it is, in fact, an air defense missile then the distance kind of narrows its’ type down a little.
BV
Part of a S-200 (SA=5) from the looks of it. Syria have been lobbing them about into other countries for the last few years, normally in an attempt to shoot down something Israeli.
If it was, then the S-200 was/is designed to explode in mid-air if it does not find its target, according to one news source.
Looks like an SA-5 to me - liquid fuel sustainer section!
The missile does have a crude surface-to-surface mode with basic inertial autopilot guidance. Reasonably effective when nuclear tipped.
The missile does have a crude surface-to-surface mode with basic inertial autopilot guidance. Reasonably effective when nuclear tipped.
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The reported joint US, Israel and UK F35 exercise in the region must be making things slightly difficult for the Syrians.
As I understand it the UK and US F35s are over Syria in the fight against ISIS whilst the Israeli F35s are over Syria in an effort to take out Syrian or Iranian assets on the ground.
Any ideas on how deconfliction is achieved?
As I understand it the UK and US F35s are over Syria in the fight against ISIS whilst the Israeli F35s are over Syria in an effort to take out Syrian or Iranian assets on the ground.
Any ideas on how deconfliction is achieved?
Oh, and the US has just moved F-22s to Qatar.
S-300 body diameter 500mm S-200 body diameter 830mm. Both missiles use tail steering, there are no moving airfoil parts in the BBC pictures and a sight tapper on the leading edge of the fin (which isn't the front of the section as that not straight), Part of the mid mainbody section of an SA-5 with part of the four main fins (wings) attached. Most likely lost lock and went ballistic.
Last edited by MAINJAFAD; 1st Jul 2019 at 13:02.
The reported joint US, Israel and UK F35 exercise in the region must be making things slightly difficult for the Syrians.
As I understand it the UK and US F35s are over Syria in the fight against ISIS whilst the Israeli F35s are over Syria in an effort to take out Syrian or Iranian assets on the ground.
Any ideas on how deconfliction is achieved?
As I understand it the UK and US F35s are over Syria in the fight against ISIS whilst the Israeli F35s are over Syria in an effort to take out Syrian or Iranian assets on the ground.
Any ideas on how deconfliction is achieved?
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There was an attack of Israeli AF this night over Syria. Probably it was an old S-200 missile that could not hit any manoeuvrable target and flew into nowhere. Why was not it blown up in mid-course, that's the question. However, this kind of accident already happened some 20 years ago when a Ukrainian S-200 missed a target during training and then hit Tu-154 flying from Israel to Russia. The distance was pretty long (some 250 km), longer than from west Syria to east Cyprus.
Failure mode unknown but SA-5 missiles do not usually go ballistic when lost-lock. The autopilot and downlink remain active, the engine can be throttled and the missile remains alive and awake until the power from the turbine runs out, killing the hydraulic power.
The 3-channel AP, inertial system and variable engine thrust is all about flying the most kinematically efficient profile. It does not guide in the traditional SAM sense, with different control laws for each phase of flight. Only in the short-shot mode does it default to a standard p-nav course guidance. A rather interesting system to operate and ahead of its time. The AIM-54 body shape owes more than a nod of its design to the SA-5.
The 3-channel AP, inertial system and variable engine thrust is all about flying the most kinematically efficient profile. It does not guide in the traditional SAM sense, with different control laws for each phase of flight. Only in the short-shot mode does it default to a standard p-nav course guidance. A rather interesting system to operate and ahead of its time. The AIM-54 body shape owes more than a nod of its design to the SA-5.
S2/300
I concede that it is quite possible that I am wrong about the missile.
However, in my mind there is something fishy about a SAM fired West from Syria (why West) accidentally landing on Cyprus. There is a lot of sea and not much Cyprus in that direction.
I mean, seriously, what are the chances?!
BV
However, in my mind there is something fishy about a SAM fired West from Syria (why West) accidentally landing on Cyprus. There is a lot of sea and not much Cyprus in that direction.
I mean, seriously, what are the chances?!
BV
It's not the first Syrian SAM to join Club Med - they have hit the sea, their own beaches, the interior, their own troops, a few of their own aircraft and even a Russian aircraft. You could argue that it would only be a matter of time before somewhere like Cyprus would be hit.
But, unlike most SAMs, this is a system with a rustic surface to surface capability so I am sure the electronic 'take' will be studied with interest. Much like when Libya fired a few SA-5s at US Navy warships (all missed, but 10/10 for effort), not every event is an accident.
But, unlike most SAMs, this is a system with a rustic surface to surface capability so I am sure the electronic 'take' will be studied with interest. Much like when Libya fired a few SA-5s at US Navy warships (all missed, but 10/10 for effort), not every event is an accident.