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The Missile Technology Behind the Malaysian Jet Tragedy

July 18, 2014
There are several surface-to-air Soviet missle technologies capable of reaching the Malaysian passenger jet shot down over the Ukraine.

As the world reacts to news of a Malaysian passenger jet shot down over the Ukraine, facts about what happened are few and far between. Media outlets such as The New York Times and Aviation Week report that the jetliner was flying at about 33,000 feet when it went down. Speculation immediately began swirling about the type of weapon used in the incident. The Times also reports that rebels there were in possession of Russian-made SA-11 surface-to-air missile systems which were capable of hitting the plane at that altitude. It is also reported that Russian troops stationed along the Ukrainian border have similar SAMs and other weapons known as SA-20s. 

Details about these systems come from the Defensetech.org site, which reports that four Soviet SAM systems would have been capable of reaching the Malaysian jet. Besides the SA-11, Defensetech names the SA-17, the S-400, the 2K12 Kub, and the S-75A Dvina.

The SA-11, also known as a Buk missle system, is a mobile device which Defensetech.org says includes a target acquisition radar vehicle, command vehicle, six transporter erector launcher and radar vehicles, and three transporter erector launcher vehicles.

Use of shoulder-fired surface-to-air devices in this case is ruled out by the altitude at which the plane flew. For example, the 9K32 Strela-2 Soviet system is a man-portable, shoulder-fired system with a high explosive warhead and passive infrared homing guidance.  But its maximum range is said to be a little less than 14,000 ft.

About the Author

Leland Teschler

Lee Teschler served as Editor-in-Chief of Machine Design until 2014. He holds a B.S. Engineering from the University of Michigan; a B.S. Electrical Engineering from the University of Michigan; and an MBA from Cleveland State University. Prior to joining Penton, Lee worked as a Communications design engineer for the U.S. Government.

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