Man-portable-air-defense-system (MPADS)
Man-portable air defence systems (MANPADS) are surface-to-air missiles that can be fired by an individual or a small team of people against aircraft. These weapon systems often are described as shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles [Armscontrol].
There are three types of MANPADS:
- Rocket-propelled grenades (RPG)
- Laser guided missiles (LGM)
- Infrared Surface-to-Air Missiles (IRSAM) [Technologies for Optical Countermeasures]
Man-portable air-defense (MANPAD) systems employ infrared (IR) seekers to lock-on to and track target aircraft. They are shoulder-fired, quickly operational, and offer fire-and-forget capability. Coupled with the large numbers proliferated worldwide and relatively low cost, they currently represent the most severe threat to all aircraft types [Optical Engineering].
Jackman J., Richardson M., Butters B., Walmsley R. (2011). Countermeasure effectiveness against a man-portable air-defense system containing a two-color spinscan infrared seeker. Optical Engineering. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1117/1.3657507
Kimball D. (2013). MANPADS at a Glance. Armscontrol.com Retrieved from: https://www.armscontrol.org/factsheets/manpads
Richardson M. (2007) The anatomy of the MANPAD. Technologies for Optical Countermeasures. Retrieved from: doi: 10.1117/12.746609