<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Plato90s:
[B] So the SAM works perfectly in tracking in on the aircraft engine but then swerves off to hit a fuel tank? Very self-contradictory.
B]</font>
That's why a modern SAM has a proximity fuse which uses some complicated algorithm I'm sure. I assume that the damage then would be caused by shrapnel if it didn't make contact but only " grazed " the Aircraft.
Several SAMs can now engage approaching Aircraft as well as receding, suppose taking an engine or two out on approach wouldn't be very healthy.
Nigel