This Research Note is the second in a series from the Small Arms Survey which cover a range of categories of small arms and light weapons, as well as their markets, their users, and their impact on society.

Man-portable air defence systems (MANPADS) are short-range surface-to-air missile systems intended for attacking and defending against low-flying aircraft. Most are easily handled by a single individual and are shoulder-launched. This Research Note (updated June 2017) provides a brief overview of the weapons’ history and development, and lists incidents where MANPADS have been used in attacks on civilian aircraft.