Man portable air defense systems (MANPADS)

Term · Aviation and air traffic control · MLC-T-AVN-000591

MANPADS are lightweight, shoulder-launched, missile systems used to bring down aircraft and create mass casualties. The potential for MANPADS use against airborne aircraft is real and requires familiarity with the subject. Terrorists choose MANPADS because the weapons are low cost, highly mobile, require minimal set-up time, and are easy to use and maintain. Although the weapons have limited range, and their accuracy is affected by poor visibility and adverse weather, they can be fired from anywhere on land or from boats where there is unrestricted visibility to the target.

Table 1. Record
Identifier	MLC-T-AVN-000591
Field	Aviation and air traffic control
Abbreviation	MANPADS
References	FAA Pilot/Controller Glossary

Record as JSON

{
  "id": "MLC-T-AVN-000591",
  "term": "Man portable air defense systems (MANPADS)",
  "field": "Aviation and air traffic control",
  "definition": "MANPADS are lightweight, shoulder-launched, missile systems used to bring down aircraft and create mass casualties. The potential for MANPADS use against airborne aircraft is real and requires familiarity with the subject. Terrorists choose MANPADS because the weapons are low cost, highly mobile, require minimal set-up time, and are easy to use and maintain. Although the weapons have limited range, and their accuracy is affected by poor visibility and adverse weather, they can be fired from anywhere on land or from boats where there is unrestricted visibility to the target.",
  "abbreviation": "MANPADS",
  "references": [
    "FAA Pilot/Controller Glossary"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/aviation/man-portable-air-defense-systems-manpads/"
}

Record 591 of 1,122 in Aviation and air traffic control terminology (MLC-0104). Request the full dataset.