Editing Surface-to-air missile (section)

===Mobility, maneuverability and range===
[[File:Night launch of a RIM-161 Standard SM-3.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Long-range SAMs like the [[RIM-161]] are an important part of modern naval forces.]]
[[File:Granit 2023 - 102 - FK-3.jpg|thumb|[[HQ-22|FK-3]], the export version of the Chinese HQ-22 system of the [[Serbian Air Force and Air Defence]]]]

Missiles able to fly longer distances are generally heavier, and therefore less mobile. This leads to three "natural" classes of SAM systems; heavy long-range systems that are fixed or semi-mobile, medium-range vehicle-mounted systems that can fire on the move, and short-range [[man-portable air-defense system]]s (MANPADS).
[[File:Jan. 25, 2017 David’s Sling Test-5 test series (1).jpg|thumb|The [[David's Sling]] Stunner missile is designed for super-maneuverability. A three-pulse motor activates only during the kill-stage, providing additional acceleration and maneuverability.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{citation |title=Missile-Killing Interceptors Eyed By Israel, US |work=Aviation Week's DTI |first=David A. |last=Fulghum |date=23 September 2010}}</ref>]]

Modern long-range weapons include the [[MIM-104 Patriot]] and [[S-300 missile system|S-300]] systems, which have effective ranges on the order of {{cvt|150|km}} and offer relatively good mobility and short unlimbering times. These compare with older systems with similar or less range, like the [[MIM-14 Nike Hercules]] or [[S-75 Dvina]], which required fixed sites of considerable size. Much of this performance increase is due to improved rocket fuels and ever-smaller electronics in the guidance systems. Some very long-range systems remain, notably the Russian [[S-400]], which has a range of {{cvt|400|km}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=S-400 Triumf |url=https://missilethreat.csis.org/defsys/s-400-triumf/ |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=Missile Threat |language=en-US}}</ref>

Medium-range designs, like the [[Rapier (missile)|Rapier]] and [[2K12 Kub]], are specifically designed to be highly mobile with very fast, or zero, setup times. Many of these designs were mounted on armoured vehicles, allowing them to keep pace with mobile operations in a conventional war. Once a major group unto itself, medium-range designs have seen less development since the 1990s, as the focus has changed to unconventional warfare.

Developments have also been made in onboard maneuverability. Israel's [[David's Sling]] Stunner missile is designed to intercept the newest generation of tactical ballistic missiles at low altitude. The multi-stage interceptor consists of a solid-fuel, rocket motor booster, followed by an asymmetrical [[Projectile|kill vehicle]] with advanced steering for super-maneuverability during the kill-stage. A three-pulse motor provides additional acceleration and maneuverability during the terminal phase.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

MANPAD systems first developed in the 1960s and proved themselves in battle during the 1970s. MANPADS normally have ranges on the order of {{cvt|3|km}} and are effective against [[attack helicopter]]s and aircraft making ground attacks. Against fixed wing aircraft, they can be very effective, forcing them to fly outside the missile's envelope and thereby greatly reducing their effectiveness in ground-attack roles. MANPAD systems are sometimes used with vehicle mounts to improve maneuverability, like the [[AN/TWQ-1 Avenger|Avenger]] system. These systems have encroached on the performance niche formerly filled by dedicated mid-range systems.

'''Ship-based anti-aircraft missiles''' are also considered to be SAMs, although in practice it is expected that they would be more widely used against [[sea skimming]] missiles rather than aircraft{{citation needed|date=January 2021}}.  Virtually all surface [[warship]]s can be armed with SAMs, and naval SAMs are a necessity for all front-line surface warships. Some warship types specialize in anti-air warfare e.g. {{sclass|Ticonderoga|cruiser|0}} cruisers equipped with the [[Aegis combat system]] or {{sclass|Kirov|battlecruiser|0}} cruisers with the [[S-300 missile system#S-300F|S-300F]] ''Fort'' missile system. Modern Warships may carry all three types (from long-range to short-range) of SAMs as a part of their multi-layered air defence.