Surface-to-Air Missile

The Surface to Air Missle system, or SAM, is an unmanned guided weapon system in GTA San Andreas.

If the player flies an aircraft over the Area 69 military base, which is a no-fly zone, he will obtain an instant wanted level of 5 stars. When this happens, several heat-seeking SAM missiles will fire at the player from three launchers around the base. The aircraft carrier at the Easter Basin Naval Station also has two SAM sites, but these will be permanently deactivated after the completion of the mission Vertical Bird.

The missiles are also launched if the player uses the Jetpack to fly over the base. These missiles can severely damage the airplane's wings or engine, making it harder to fly, and a few will destroy it and kill the player if he does not eject.

The launchers can be temporarily destroyed; but will respawn once the player is far enough.

The Hydra's secondary fire launches countermeasures (flares) that deter the missiles if used at the right time.