Editing Surface-to-air missile (section)

===Target acquisition===
[[File:JASDF Type91 SAM, in Alaska(USAF photo 080613-F-4127S-012).jpg|thumb|right|A JASDF soldier uses the optical sight on the Type 91 Kai MANPADS to acquire a mock airborne target. The prominent vertical metal devices on the left are the [[identification friend or foe|IFF antennas.]] ]]
[[File:USMC-090212-M-6603L-077.jpg|thumb|right|A [[U.S. Marine]] antiaircraft gunner aims his ''Stinger'' at a location indicated by a spotter.]]

Long-range systems generally use radar systems for target detection, and depending on the generation of system, may "hand off" to a separate tracking radar for attack. Short range systems are more likely to be entirely visual for detection.

Hybrid systems are also common. The [[MIM-72 Chaparral]] was fired optically, but normally operated with a short range early warning radar that displayed targets to the operator. This radar, the [[AN/MPQ-49 Forward Area Alerting Radar|FAAR]], was taken into the field with a [[Gama Goat]] and set up behind the lines. Information was passed to the ''Chaparral'' via a [[data link]]. Likewise, the UK's Rapier system included a simple radar that displayed the rough direction of a target on a series of lamps arranged in a circle. The missile operator would point his telescope in that rough direction and then hunt for the target visually.