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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

Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Man portable SAM system
Entered service
1983
Status
In service
Development
1972 - Early 1980's
Developer
Soviet Union - Kolomna OKB (missile)
Soviet Union - LOMO (seeker)
Production
Early 1980's - 2014 or present?
Producer
Soviet Union - KBM Kolomna
Russia - KBM Kolomna
Unit cost
$ 60.000 to 80.000 around 2003
Number produced
Produced in large numbers
Designations
SA-18 Grouse (NATO reporting name)
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


Facts 9M39
General
Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Surface to air missile
Dimensions
Diameter
72 mm
Length
1.68 m
Wingspan
160 mm
Weight
10.8 kg missile
17.9 kg including gripstock launcher
Guidance
Guidance mode
Dual channel passive infra-red homing seeker
Max target speed
320 m/s receding
360 m/s approaching
Warhead
Type
Directed energy HE-fragmentation
Weight
1.17 kg, including 390 g HMX
Fuse
Magnetic proximity fuse, plus secondary grazing impact fuse
Engagement envelope
Propulsion
Single-stage solid propellant rocket motor, plus ejection motor
Speed
800 m/s peak
600 m/s average
Range
5.2 km maximum
0.5 km minimum
Altitude
3.5 km maximum
10 m minimum

Media


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.