Definition
A shoulder-fired surface-to-air missile system designed to be carried and operated by one or two people, capable of targeting low-flying aircraft. Most use infrared (heat-seeking) guidance to home in on engine exhaust.
Plain English
A small, shoulder-launched missile that can be fired by a person on the ground to shoot down low-flying aircraft. It usually tracks the heat from the aircraft's engines.
Context Anchor
Seen in security-related flight information, threat briefings, and aviation discussions about operating near areas where aircraft could be targeted from the ground.
Derivation
An acronym from "Man-Portable Air Defense System." "Man-portable" means light enough to be carried and used by a single person, distinguishing these weapons from larger vehicle- or installation-based air defense systems.
Why Pilots Care
These systems can destroy aircraft at low altitudes, so pilots must adjust routes or altitudes when threats are reported in an area.
Intuition Check
Do not read Manpads as aircraft equipment or protective padding. In aviation security, it means a portable ground weapon that can threaten aircraft.
Example Sentence 1
The crew reviewed the security briefing, which highlighted a MANPADS threat along the planned route and recommended a higher cruise altitude during the overflight.
Example Sentence 2
Controllers advised the flight to climb above 10,000 feet to reduce exposure to reported Manpads threats.