👉 The Avon missiles, also known as the SA-7 Avon, were a family of surface-to-air missiles developed and produced by the Soviet Union. They were primarily used for air defense purposes, targeting aircraft and helicopters during the Cold War era. The Avon missiles were notable for their compact design, allowing them to be easily integrated into various platforms, including ships and ground-based systems. They employed a single-stage, ballistic missile design with a range of approximately 170 kilometers (106 miles) and a maximum speed of Mach 2.5, making them effective against fast-moving targets. The missiles were equipped with a single warhead that could be guided by a simple radar homing system, though they were not as accurate as later systems. The Avon missile program played a significant role in Soviet air defense strategies, particularly during conflicts like the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Afghan War.
