- By 1945, the Nazi leadership was reported to be developing several SAM systems to defend against Allied bombers. These were never put into operation because Germany was defeated. However, the Germans' Wasserfall missile was a precursor of the Nike-Ajax, the first SAM developed by the U.S., and the V-750 SAM, the first developed by the Soviet Union.
- Modern SAM systems are more accurate honing in on an aircraft. The Hawk SAM system, used by the U.S. Marine Corps., uses a high-powered tracking radar to lock onto its target.
- In the early 21st century, the U.S. military faced a significant threat from shoulder-mounted SA-7 SAM missiles, which had heat-seeking capabilities. These missiles were capable of downing a jumbo jet at an altitude of 13,000 feet.
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