Saturday, April 11, 2026

China is Sending Man Pads to Iran similar to STinger missiles that the CIA gave to Osama bin Laden which caused the end of the Soviet Union in Afghanistan in the 1980s

The are heat seeking shoulder fired stinger type missiles that can reach 15,000 feet in altitude to bring down any planes or helicopters flying under 15,000 feet wherever they have these in Iran.

So, with this the U.S. does NOT have air superiority under 15,000 feet or so if this is done the way it appears to be happening now. 

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Man-Portable Air-Defense Systems (MANPADS) are shoulder-fired, surface-to-air missiles designed to be operated by single soldiers or small crews against low-flying aircraft. These lightweight (13–25 kg), IR-guided weapons use "fire-and-forget" technology—often with infrared or ultraviolet sensors—allowing operators to launch and move quickly. They are crucial in modern warfare, effectively targeting helicopters, drones, and aircraft during takeoff or landing.
Key Aspects of MANPADS
  • Function & Usage: These systems are designed to counter air superiority by targeting low-altitude aircraft, particularly useful for, but not limited to, infantry, special forces, and insurgent groups.
  • Components: MANPADS typically consist of a launcher tube, a launch mechanism (gripstock), and a battery, often featuring thermal sights.
  • Types/Common Variants:
    • Infrared (IR) Seekers: The most common type, targeting an aircraft's heat signature. Examples include the US FIM-92 Stinger, Russian 9K38 Igla, and Polish Piorun.
    • Laser Beam-Riding: Examples include the Swedish RBS 70.
    • Types by Generation: Ranging from early systems to advanced systems like the Mistral (France), which utilizes rosette scanning to evade countermeasures.
  • Proliferation Threat: Due to their portability, they are easily concealed and smuggled, posing a significant risk to civilian aviation, with over 40 civilian aircraft hit since 1970.

Common MANPADS Systems
  • Stinger (USA): Used by the US and over 29 other countries.
  • Igla/Strela (Russia): Widely proliferated Russian systems.
  • Mistral (France): A high-lethality, fire-and-forget system.
  • Piorun (Poland): Advanced, highly effective against drones.
  • QW/FN Series (China): Examples include the FN-16.
  • Anza (Pakistan): Anza Mk-II is a third-generation system.

Due to their effectiveness against low-flying aircraft, they are major threats to helicopters and ground-attack aircraft, leading to the development of counter-MANPADS (C-MANPADS) for military and commercial aircraft.
  • Man-portable air-defense system - Wikipedia
    Third generation infrared MANPADS, such as the French Mistral, the Soviet 9K38 Igla, and the US Stinger B, use rosette scanning de...
    Wikipedia

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  • MANPADS: Combating the Threat to Global Aviation - State.gov
    Man-Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS) are surface-to-air missiles that can be carried and fired by a single individual or car...
    U.S. Department of State (.gov)
  • MANPADS at a Glance | Arms Control Association
    Iran has been accused of smuggling weapons, including MANPADS, into other countries in the region to armed insurgents. MANPADS are...
    Arms Control Association
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