OVERVIEW:  The SA-8a GECKO (9M33 Osa) is a highly mobile, single-stage, solid fuel, short range, low altitude, surface-to-air missile point defense system using command guidance to protect ground forces from air attack.  It is equipped with a 15 kg impact and proximity fuzed warhead.

DETAILS:  The SA-8 GECKO was designed to provide front line-armor and mechanized divisions with low altitude coverage air defense, as well as of strategic ground facilities against air strikes delivered by manned or unmanned air vehicles flying at low and medium altitudes. 

The SA-8a TELAR consists of a 4-cell launcher and a fire control radar that consists of two stacked radars: an elliptical rotating surveillance antenna mounted on top of the array, operating in H-band (6 to 8 GHz) with a 30 km acquisition range against most targets. Below it is a J-band (14.5 GHz) pulsed radar engagement with maximum tracking range of about 20 km. The TELAR also has a J band parabolic dish antenna to track the missile, and an I-band uplink to gather the missile shortly after launch.

A typical engagement sequence begins with the cueing of the firing TELAR by the supporting LONG TRACK, FLAT FACE, SQUAT EYE or SPOON REST surveillance radars.  After acquisition by the TELAR's acquisition radar, the target is tracked by the engagement radar.  Upon launch, the missile is captured J-band missile tracking radar, and the intercept course transmitted to it via the I-band uplink. Each TELAR is able to launch and guide two missiles against one target simultaneously, with each missiles being guided on different frequencies, complicating ECCM measures.


Specifications:
 
Weight: 		128 kg 
Length: 		3.158 m 
Diameter: 		0.21 m
Wingspan: 		0.65 m 
Speed:			816 knots (420 m/s)
Range:			0.81-4.8 nm (1.5-9 km)
Engagement Altitude:	164-16,404 ft (50-5,000 m)
Max target speed: 	1.22 mach knts (1512 km/h)   
Kill probability:	0.35–0.85 (single missile v. fighter-type aircraft)
Reload time:		5 minutes (approx)

NOTES:  IOC: 1972. The system also has a Low-light optical tracking system for operation in heavy ECM environments. Reaction time from target detection to launch is 26 seconds. The warhead lethal radius is approximately 5 meters.



SOURCES: "9M9." Guide to Military Equipment and Civil Aviation. Accessed December 10, 2016. http://www.deagel.com/Surface-to-Air-Missiles/9M9_a000831001.aspx ; "Legacy Air Defence System Vehicles." Accessed December 10, 2016. "2K12 Kub/Kvadrat Self Propelled Air Defence System / SA-6 Gainful" Air Power Australia. Accessed January 21, 2017. http://www.ausairpower.net/APA-2K12-Kvadrat.html.; IHS. "2K12 Kub." Land Warfare Platforms: Artillery & Air Defence, 01 April 2016; http://www.ausairpower.net/APA-2K12-Kvadrat.html ; US Army.; OPFOR WORLDWIDE EQUIPMENT GUIDE, Vol 2: Airspace and Air Defense Systems. TRADOC DCSINT Threat Support Directorate, December 2011, pg. 6-71 ; Vestnik-pvo; "Self-propelled air devense missile system 2K12 'Cube'". Accessed December 10, 2016. http://pvo.guns.ru/russia/index33.htm; Jane's Land Warfare Platforms: Artillery & Air Defense, "2K12 Kub"; "2K12 M2 KUB - NATO Code: SA-6 GAINFUL | Ministry of Defence & Armed Forces of the Czech Republic." Ministerstvo Obrany a Armáda Ceské Republiky. Accessed December 12, 2018. http://www.army.cz/scripts/detail.php?id=6318 ; IHS. "9K33 Osa." Land Warfare Platforms: Artillery & Air Defence, 17 April 2015 ; "9K33 Osa/Romb Self Propelled Air Defence System / SA-8 Gecko." Air Power Australia. Accessed December 12, 2016. http://www.ausairpower.net/APA-9K33-Osa.html