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What Sam was used in Behind Enemy Lines?

Published in Military Aircraft Weaponry 2 mins read

The Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) prominently featured in the movie Behind Enemy Lines was an SA-13 Gopher. This Soviet-designed, short-range missile system played a critical role in the film's plot, particularly during the intense evasion sequences involving Lieutenant Chris Burnett's F/A-18 Super Hornet.

The SA-13 Gopher: A Closer Look

The SA-13 Gopher, known by its GRAU designation 9K35 Strela-10, is a highly mobile, short-range, low-altitude surface-to-air missile system. Designed to protect ground forces against air threats, it is mounted on a modified MT-LB multi-purpose tracked armored vehicle, allowing it to keep pace with armored formations.

Key Characteristics of the SA-13 Gopher

  • Mobility: Its tracked chassis provides excellent off-road capability, making it suitable for deployment in various terrains.
  • Missile Type: The SA-13 fires 9M37 missiles. These are heat-seeking, infrared-guided missiles designed to target the heat signature of aircraft engines.
  • Guidance System: Primarily optical/infrared, making it a "fire-and-forget" weapon in certain conditions, though it also features a backup optical tracking system.
  • Role: Primarily intended for battlefield air defense against helicopters, low-flying aircraft, and cruise missiles.

SA-13 Gopher Specifications

Feature Detail
NATO Reporting Name SA-13 Gopher
GRAU Designation 9K35 Strela-10
Vehicle Chassis MT-LB
Missile Type 9M37 heat-seeking missiles
Guidance System Infrared (passive homing) / Optical
Operational Role Short-range, low-altitude air defense

Its Role in *Behind Enemy Lines*

In Behind Enemy Lines, the SA-13 Gopher is the primary threat that targets the protagonist's F/A-18 Super Hornet. The film depicts the launch of an SA-13, which employs its heat-seeking 9M37 missiles to track and eventually hit the aircraft, leading to the dramatic ejection of the pilot. The scene highlights the immediate danger posed by such battlefield SAM systems to low-flying aircraft. While designed for short-range engagements, the SA-13's presence underscores the perilous environment faced by pilots operating behind enemy lines.