A SAM installation
- SAM redirects here. For the mission in Grand Theft Auto III, see S.A.M.
The Surface to Air Missile, or SAM, is an unmanned guided weapon system in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. Four sites are located around Area 69 and two are located in the Easter Basin Naval Station, both of which are no-fly zones.
If the player flies any aircraft, the jetpack, or the Vortex, near or over these zones, several heat-seeking missiles, which tracks the movement of the player's vehicle, will be launched. These missiles can severely damage the airplane's wings or engine (or the player, when using a jetpack), making it harder to fly. Depending on the durability and health of the player's vehicle, a few to some direct hits will destroy the vehicle and kill the player if they do not eject.
The launchers can be temporarily destroyed and will respawn once the player is far enough away from them. During the missions Black Project and Vertical Bird, these sites can be disabled temporarily for the duration of the missions.
Like other heat-seeking missiles, the SAM missiles can be deterred by using the Hydra's secondary fire, which launches flares.
