SA-8 Gecko (9K33 Osa) Country: Russia Type: Point SAM Introduction: 1969

The 9K33 OSA is a highly mobile, low-altitude, short-range tactical surface-to-air missile system. Its NATO reporting name is SA-8 Gecko.

The SA-8 was the first mobile air defence missile system incorporating its own engagement radars on a single vehicle. Engagement range for the early versions was approximately 2-9 km (1.3-5.6 miles) and engagement altitudes of between 50-5000 m (164-16,400 ft). Later missile development enhanced the altitude engagement envelope to 10-12000 m (33-42,500 ft), and as such are also able to fly further (about 15 km/9 miles) but the system is not able to engage targets at longer ranges, due to other factors such as the radar tracking of the missiles. The system is designed for use primarily against jet aircraft and helicopters in any kind of weather. There have been unconfirmed reports of other possible versions of the missile with both infra-red and semi-active radar terminal homing seekers.

As well as the USSR/Russia, there are many export customers for this system, including Greece (from the former East Germany), Poland, Syria, Ecuador and Iraq, who used Osa systems during the 1991 Gulf War.

General Information
Developed by	Russia
Deployed by	Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Rep., Greece, India, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, Russia, Serbia, Tajikistan, Ukraine
Deployment Year	1969, 1973
Platform	6 wheeled launcher vehicle, IVAN ROGOV CLASS Project 1174 Large Landing Ship Heavy Missile Cruise Ship, Project 1144.2 Kirov Class(Osa-MA)
Design	Antey Scientific Industrial Organization
Manufacturer	Znamya Truda Plant in Moscow

Dimensions and Performance
Length	31.5m
Body Diameter	21cm
Wing/Fin span	64cm
Launch Weight	130kg(9M33), 170kg(9M33M3)
Range	1,600-12,000m, 1,500-15,000m
Speed	Mach 2.4
Altitude	20-10,000m, 10-13,000m

Components
Propulsion	solid propellant
Warhead	19kg/40kg HE fragmentation
Guidance	command guidance