Surface-to-Air Missile

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Henschel Hs 117

Henschel Hs 117

The Henschel Hs 117 "Schmetterling" was a German surface-to-air missile developed during WWII. It was never deployed operationally but represented early guided missile concepts, using a dual-stage propulsion and wire or radio guidance.
Rapier SAM

Rapier SAM

The British Rapier is a short-range surface-to-air missile system with a focus on accuracy using optical and radar guidance. It was widely used by NATO and in the Falklands War to defend against low-flying aircraft.
RIM-8 Talos

RIM-8 Talos

The RIM-8 Talos was a long-range surface-to-air missile used by the U.S. Navy for fleet air defense. It was radar-guided and had a nuclear warhead option, marking an early step in modern naval missile systems.
MIM-3 Nike Ajax

MIM-3 Nike Ajax

Nike Ajax was the first operational U.S. surface-to-air missile system, deployed during the Cold War to defend against Soviet bombers. It used command guidance and was armed with high-explosive or nuclear warheads.
MIM-14 Nike Hercules

MIM-14 Nike Hercules

An upgraded version of the Nike Ajax, the Nike Hercules was capable of targeting high-speed aircraft and had a longer range. It was also capable of carrying a nuclear warhead to destroy bomber formations.
9K33 Osa

9K33 Osa

The 9K33 Osa is a Soviet mobile, short-range, radar-guided surface-to-air missile system. Known by NATO as SA-8 "Gecko," it integrates radar and launch systems into a single vehicle for fast response and mobility.
2K12 Kub

2K12 Kub

The 2K12 Kub (SA-6 "Gainful") is a Soviet medium-range surface-to-air missile system designed for mobile battlefield air defense. It gained notoriety during conflicts such as the Yom Kippur War, where it proved effective against Israeli aircraft.