OVERVIEW:  The SA-8b GECKO (9M33M3 Osa AKM) air defense unit is a highly mobile, short range, low to medium altitude, surface-to-air point defense system using command guidance to protect ground forces or strategic ground facilities from air attack.

DETAILS:  Each SA-8 air defense unit employs a single command post with four TELARs and a pair of 9T217BM replenishment vehicles. Multiple batteries are then cued by supporting acquisition radars via radio frequency datalink. In Soviet service this acquisition radar was typically the P-40 PMG TRACK. Export systems were usually supplied with some configuration of the P-15/P-19 FLAT FACE, P-15M SQUAT EYE, or P-12/P-12 SPOON REST.

After cueing by the acquisition radar, a TELAR tracks and engages the target using its LAND ROLL radar system. 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.  The TELARs are capable of independent operation.   


Specifications:

Maximum Acquisition Range: 	16 nm (29 km)
Maximum Tracking Range:		11 nm (20 km)
Engagement Envelope, range:	0.81-5.3 nm (1.5-10 km)  
Engagement Envelope, altitude:	82-16,404 ft (25-5000m)
Kill probability:		0.55–0.85 (single missile v. fighter-type aircraft)
Reload time:			5 minutes (approx)
Reaction Time			26 seconds
Mobility:			mobile

NOTES:  IOC: 1981. The system also has a Low-light optical tracking system for heavy ECM environments.  The SA-8 TEL is fully amphibious, and can be deployed in four minutes. Export variants were marketed as the 9K33 Romb.



SOURCES: "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 ; "9K33 Osa." Weapon Systems.net. Accessed December 11, 2016. weaponsystems.net/weaponsystem/EE05%20-%20SA-8%20Gecko.html ; "Osa (SA-8 Gecko)." Military Today.com. Accessed December 12, 2016. http://www.military-today.com/missiles/osa.htm ; IHS. "9K33 Osa." Land Warfare Platforms: Artillery & Air Defence, 17 April 2015 ; Administrator. "SA-8 Gecko 9K33 OSA Ground-to-air Missile System Technical Data Sheet Specifications Information UK | Russia Russian Missile System Vehicle UK | Russia Russian Army Military Equipment Vehicles UK." Global Military Army Magazine Defence Security Industry Technology News Exhibition World Land Forces - Army Recognition. Last modified February 20, 2018. https://www.armyrecognition.com/russia_russian_missile_system_vehicle_uk/sa-8_gecko_9k33_osa_ground-to-air_missile_system_technical_data_sheet_specifications_information_uk.html.