9K38 Igla
NATO: SA-18 Grouse
Overview
9K38 Igla
Russian soldier posing with 9K38 Igla man portable SAM system.
Source: www.mil.ru -
© CC BY 4.0
Soviet Union - LOMO (seeker)
Russia - KBM Kolomna
9K38 (GRAU index for system)
9M39 (GRAU index for missile)
Description
Introduction
The 9K38 Igla is a man portable SAM system of Soviet origin. In the West it is known under NATO reporting name SA-18 Grouse. Development started in the early 1970's as a completely new design to replace the older 9K32 Stela-2 (NATO: SA-7 Grail). Design efforts were protracted and a simpler spin-off developed was developed in the late 1970's. This is known as the 9K310 Igla-1 (NATO: SA-16 Gimlet) and is described elsewhere.
Design
The Igla follows the general design pattern of the Strela series, but is a deep modernization of nearly every type of component. It is an infrared guided missile using an improved dual channel homing section, more capable directed energy high explosive warhead and a magnetic proximity fuse backed up by a more sensitive impact fuse. The rocket motor is improved and a drag reducing aerospike is mounted over the seeker head. This results in better range, altitude and engagement envelope than the Strela series. All this comes at a much higher production cost, hence the less ambitious Igla-1 seeing widespread adoption as well.
Firepower
The Igla features a dual channel passive infrared seeker that allows for an all aspect engagement of helicopters and aircraft. The 9M39 missile has a range of 5.2 km and ceiling of 3.5 km. The increased speed of the missile allows it to engage targets travelling just above Mach 1. Compared to the earlier 9K32M Strela-2M (NATO: SA-7 Grail) and 9K310 Igla-1 (NATO: SA-16 Gimlet) the seeker is more capable and less easy to deceive with flares.
Users
The Igla was adopted by the Soviet armed forces in 1983 and at first issued to first line units and special operations forces. Upon introduction the Igla was among the most capable man portable SAM systems in the world. Exports were limited at first, but grew significantly in the 1990's after the fall of the USSR. The Igla has been supplemented by the improved 9K338 Igla-S and 9K333 Verba, but remains in widespread service in Russian and many nations in Eastern Europe, Asia, the Middle East and South America.
Details
Media
9K38 Igla
Soldier posing with 9K38 Igla man portable SAM system.
Source: Unknown author
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
9M39 missile
Artist impression of 9M39 missile of the 9K38 Igla man portable SAM system seen in flight.
Source: Unknown author
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
9K38 Igla
Brazilian soldier seen with 9K38 Igla in 2014.
Source: André Gustavo Stumpf
Copyright: CC BY 2.0
9K38 Igla and 9K310 Igla-1
9K38 Igla system with 9M39 missile seen on top and 9K310 Igla-1 with 9M313 missile seen below.
Source: Megapixie
Copyright: Public domain
9K38 Igla
Russian instructor seen with 9K38 Igla during a training exercise in 2016.
Source: www.mil.ru
Copyright: CC BY 4.0
9K38 Igla
Russian instructor and trainee seen with 9K38 Igla during a training exercise in 2016. Note the 9M39 missile in the launch tube.
Source: www.mil.ru
Copyright: CC BY 4.0
9K38 Igla
Russian soldiers seen firing 9K38 Igla man portable SAM system during a training exercise in 2016.
Source: www.mil.ru
Copyright: CC BY 4.0
9K38 Igla
Russian soldiers seen firing 9K38 Igla man portable SAM system during a training exercise in 2016.
Source: www.mil.ru
Copyright: CC BY 4.0
9K38 Igla
Brazilian soldiers seen with 9K38 Igla man portable SAM system in Manaus in 2014.
Source: Jorge Cardoso - Ministério da Defesa
Copyright: CC BY 2.0
Related articles
9K310 Igla-1
The 9K38 Igla was developed at the same time as the 9K310 Igla-1 (NATO: SA-16 Gimlet), which was a less ambitious design project that introduced several years earlier.
9K32 Strela-2
The 9K38 Igla was developed as a substantially more capable successor to the widespread Soviet 9K32 Strela-2 (NATO: SA-7 Grail) surface to air missile.
9K333 Verba
The 9K333 Verba is the successor of the Igla and Igla-S on the production line. Verba has a triple channel seeker.
PZR Grom
The Polish Grom is a locally produced derivative of the 9K38 Igla. Early models used some Russian components. Later models are fully domestic production and feature several upgrades.