SA-8 GECKO Low Altitude Surface-to-Air Missile System

The SA-8 GECKO is a single-stage, solid-fuel,missile (Factory Index number 9M33) has a launch
short-range, low-altitude, all-weather SAM system.weight of about 130 kg. Maximum speed is Mach
The TELAR (transporter erector launcher and2.4, minimum altitude is 25 m, maximum effective
radar) vehicle is a six-wheeled design designatedaltitude 5000 m. The minimum range is 1500 m
BAZ-5937.and the maximum range 12000 m. Against an F-4
The driver's compartment at the front of thePhantom target the warhead's lethal radius at low
vehicle has accommodation for two, the driveraltitude is 5 m and is fitted with proximity and
and commander, with access to it via a hatch incontact fuses. In 1980 a newer missile, the SA-8b
the roof.or GECKO Mod 1, was introduced into service.
The engine is at the very rear. FourContained in a rectangular launch box it has
command-guided missiles are carried ready toimproved guidance and speed characteristics to
launch, two either side. The main fire control radargive an increased maximum range of 15000 m.
is at the rear of a one-man gunner-radar operatorThe warhead weight of both missiles is 19 kg.
position and folds back 90 degrees to reduce theThe reloading time is five minutes. Combat
overall height of the vehicle for air transport anddeployment time is four minutes with system
during high speed road travel. It is known that thereaction 26 seconds.
radar operates in the H-band with a 360 degreesThe surveillance radar of the LAND ROLL
traverse and has a maximum range of 35 km.operates in the H band and has an effective
The complete conical-scan radar installation of therange of around 30 kilometers against a typical
GECKO has been assigned the NATO code nametarget.
LAND ROLL.The tracking radar is of the pulsed type and it
Each battery also has two missile transloadersoperates in the J band with a range of 20 to 25
based on the same chassis with a long coffin-likekilometers. The two I-band guidance radars make
blunt pointed tarp roofed structure covering theit possible to launch two missiles at the same
cargo space and crane. When operating, the blunttarget, each one responding to a different
point area is raised and the tarped structure is slidfrequency to frustrate ECM.
to the rear.Mounted on top of each missile guidance radar is
A total of 18 reloads in boxed sets of three arean LLLTV/optical assist system for target
transferred to the TELARs by the hydraulic cranetracking in low visibility and heavy ECM. LAND
mounted centrally behind the vehicle cab. In theROLL is also known to have a short-range target
Regiments Maintenance battery there is a singleacquisition capability.
radar collimation vehicle using the same chassis.The vehicle is fully amphibious, being propelled in
This has a collimation antenna which lies on boththe water by two water jets at the rear of the
sides of the vehicle and overhangs the rear duringhull. The vehicle is fitted with an air filtration and
transit. In operation it is raised and mounted onoverpressure NBC system together with IR
each side of the hull directly behind the cab.systems for the commander and driver.
The SA-8a (GECKO Mod 0) high acceleration