SA-2 Guideline

missile

Also known as: Guideline

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July 13, 2026

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The SA-2 Guideline was a Soviet surface-to-air missile (SAM) system introduced in 1958. It was the first SAM system used in combat and was widely deployed. The Guideline was a two-stage missile, with a solid booster and a liquid-propellant sustainer. It could engage targets at ranges of up to 28 miles and altitudes as high as 60,000 feet. The system utilized van-mounted radars for target acquisition, tracking, and command guidance. While effective, U.S. aircraft in Vietnam could sometimes outmaneuver the large missiles or reduce their effectiveness with electronic countermeasures. Later versions incorporated optical tracking. The SA-2 remained in use in some countries after its retirement from Soviet service.1

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rocket and missile system
Surface-to-air
The SA-2 Guideline, introduced in 1958, was the most widely deployed of the early SAMs and was the first surface-to-air guided-missile system used in combat. This two-stage missile with a solid booster and a liquid-propellant (kerosene and nitric acid) sustainer, could engage targets at ranges of…
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The SA-2 Guideline, introduced in 1958, was the most widely deployed of the early SAMs and was the first surface-to-air guided-missile system used in combat. This two-stage missile with a solid booster and a liquid-propellant (kerosene and nitric acid) sustainer, could engage targets at ranges of…
Read More