Every Air Defense Missile Was Fooled by Flares| Until RBS-70 NG

Описание: For decades, most shoulder-fired air defense missiles relied on one simple idea — track the heat of an aircraft engine. Systems like the Strela and Stinger became some of the most famous MANPADS in military history, capable of allowing a single soldier to threaten helicopters and low-flying aircraft.

But these missiles had a weakness.

Flares.

As aircraft began deploying infrared countermeasures, many heat-seeking missiles could be distracted or misled by the bright decoys released into the sky. Pilots quickly learned how to survive missile attacks using flares and evasive maneuvers.

Then Sweden built something different.

Instead of chasing heat, the RBS-70 used laser beam-riding guidance — allowing the missile to ignore infrared decoys completely. Modern versions like the RBS-70 NG have become some of the most unique portable air defense systems in the world.

In this video, we explore:
• The rise of MANPADS during the Cold War
• Why heat-seeking missiles like Strela and Stinger had a weakness
• How aircraft countered them with flares
• And how Sweden created a missile that ignored heat entirely

From the mountains of Afghanistan to modern battlefields filled with drones and helicopters, the story of the RBS-70 shows how a completely different design philosophy changed portable air defense forever.

If you enjoy military history, aviation technology, and Cold War weapons, this is a story you won’t want to miss.