What Sort Of Weapon Shot Down Malaysian Flight MH-17?

[Vassnti]

there's a less-advanced radar on each of the mobile buk missile launchers. dunno details beyond that.

from what i understand one of the things missing is the IFF system that would have told them it was a civilian airliner

 

[gambit]

This may sound unrelated, but it is not...

There is a difference between 'search', 'find', and 'identification' in missile targeting criteria. To 'search' is not the same as to 'find', as many usually believes.

To 'search' is to look for a thing or things that fit certain parameters.

To 'find' is to look for the thing or things that fit those parameters inside/under other parameters.

In missile targeting, a volume search is performed to establish a foundation that contains one or more objects. Then a find is performed to look for objects that may give a certain IFF return, or fit a certain radar signature, or flies at a certain altitude/speed combination, and so on. In other words, a 'find' is more precise in parameters than a 'search'. To 'search' and 'find' may be casually interchangeable in literature, but it can mean the difference between life and death in radar guided weapons development.

To 'identify' is to be even more precise. An identification is a near or at absolute certainty of what is found after a search. The analogy here is searching for twins inside a population. Then find either only identical or fraternal twins. Then find a set of twins with the last name of Jones. Then properly identify which twin is named 'Bob' and which is named 'Joe'.

There is no guarantee that a radar guided missile system will contains all the necessary components before firing, whether that order is automatic or human.