PKK fighter shooting AH-1 helicopter with shoulder fired missile

PKK fighter shooting AH-1 helicopter with shoulder fired missile. Russian designed SA-7 derivative, streaking into the sky and blasting the Cobra to pieces.

The video released showing a PKK fighter shooting down a Turkish AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter with a man-portable air defense system.

PKK fighter shooting AH-1 helicopter with shoulder fired missile.

PKK fighter shooting AH-1 helicopter with shoulder fired missile.

The dramatic footage shows the missile.

Which appears to  a Russian designed SA-7 derivative, streaking into the sky and blasting the Cobra to pieces.

Turkey sees the PKK as a terrorist organization and treats them.

As such even though they have been among the most potent anti-ISIS fighters on the battlefield.

A day ago, PKK forces claimed responsibility for the downing of the Cobra, while Ankara claimed it was a technical failure.

If a heat-seeking missile breaking an aircraft in half is see as technical failure, that accurate.

The introduction of MANPADS into conflicts—especially insurgencies—can dramatically level the playing field.

When it comes to the use of rudimentary airpower against a lightly equipped foe.

This most famous occurred in Afghanistan in the 1980s.

The CIA furnished FIM-92 Stinger MANPADS to Mujahedeen getting clobbered Russian attack helicopters and close air support jets.

This video is a stark illustration of just how important modern automatic missile launch detection and countermeasure systems are on military aircraft.

There is very little time for a pilot to react to a MANPAD—if he sees it coming at all.

Automated launch detection systems and the dispensing of flares and other IR decoys.

Considered standard technology on low-flying American combat aircraft and vulnerable transports.

PKK fighter shooting AH-1 helicopter with shoulder fired missile.

These systems use missile launch detectors for cuing, after which a small turreted laser emitter locks onto the incoming missile and fires a blinding laser light into its seeker sending it astray