SA8
SA8
The SA8 "Gecko" low to medium level Surface to Air Missile, (SAM), system was designed around 1959. The concept of the design was to produce a missile system that encompassed all of the acquire, tracking, engaging and guidance of the weapon to the target. The SA8 entered service in 1974 and was first seen in public in 1975.
SA8 is a six-wheeled design, based on a number of earlier all terrain vehicles. The missile system is centred on the vehicle for stability during amphibious operations. The surveillance aerial is hinged and is capable of collapsing 90 degrees for transportation.
Landroll consists of a surveillance radar and a target tracking radar. The target acquisition radar at the rear of the radar has a range of 45 km with a 360 degree coverage. Once a target is within 28 km the target tracking radar comes into effect. The target tracking radar operator tracks the target then will activate the auto track system.
A TV camera is fitted to enable the system to remain in action even if the vehicles radars are being jammed or forced to shut down due to the threat of anti-radiation missiles. Once a target is engaged the missile tracking radar is activated and the missile is launched.
Further information on the equipment maintained at RAF Spadeadam can be found in the links below.
Scud Missile