“with a platoon-sized crew and several support vehicles (radar and command trucks) needed to fire the thing” — not really. That Russian thing is actually autonomous: <a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.ausairpower.net&#x2F;APA-9K37-Buk.html#mozTocId210497" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.ausairpower.net&#x2F;APA-9K37-Buk.html#mozTocId210497</a>
You see? Transporter Erector Launcher _And Radar_. Wikipedia says:<p>A transporter erector launcher and radar (TELAR) is the same as a TEL but also incorporates part or all of the radar system necessary for firing the missile(s). Such vehicles have the capability of being autonomous, greatly enhancing their effectiveness. With this type of system, each vehicle can fight regardless of the state or presence of support vehicles.<p>“quite likely the operators mistook the Boeing 777 for a large Ukrainian military transport aircraft” — yeah, I also think so. The important difference with Flight 655 and MH17 is USS Vincennes was there legally. The cruiser wasn’t smuggled to some international terrorists who say they’re independent freedom fighters, like it happened with Buk M1 which downed MH-17.