How many air defense systems do we have? In 1967, the "Cub" air defense system entered service with the Soviet Army, designed to defeat air attack weapons at a distance exceeding the use of aircraft weapons. A distinctive feature of the "Cube" complexes was the placement of self-propelled launchers and self-propelled reconnaissance and guidance systems on a tracked chassis, which made it possible to keep up with armored vehicles. However, due to the high cost of the "Cube" systems in many Soviet tank divisions, the anti-aircraft missile regiment was equipped with the "Osa" air defense system.
At the time of the appearance of the air defense system "Kub" had no analogues and was very successfully used in a number of regional conflicts. During the Yom Kippur War in 1973, the Kvadrat export modification complexes inflicted heavy losses on Israeli aviation. With the accumulation of experience in combat use and operation, the creation of new modifications with improved combat characteristics was carried out. In 1976, the Kub-M3 air defense system with increased noise immunity entered service. In this version, the range of destruction of air targets was 4-25 km. Reach in height - from 20 to 8000 m.
However, like any other weapon, the complexes of the "Cube" family were not devoid of drawbacks. In the course of real hostilities, it turned out that transport-loading vehicles based on the ZIL-131, in the absence of a developed road network, cannot always get to self-propelled launchers. In the event of failure or destruction of the self-propelled reconnaissance and guidance installation, the entire anti-aircraft missile battery completely lost its combat effectiveness. In the second half of the 1970s, the military was no longer fully satisfied with the capabilities of "Cuba" in the fight against combat helicopters and the inability to simultaneously fire at several targets.
In 1978, deliveries of the "Cube-M4" modification began. In fact, this option was a transitional one. In order to increase the ready-to-use ammunition and increase the number of target channels, the 9A38 self-propelled gun was added to the complex. The equipment of the combat vehicle included: a radar, a television-optical sight and a computing system designed for target detection and guidance of 3M9M3 or 9M38 missiles with a semi-active seeker, as well as its own life support system, navigation, orientation and topographic reference equipment, recognition of "friend or foe" and means of communication with other battery machines. The inclusion of an additional self-propelled firing unit in the air defense system made it possible to increase the autonomy and combat stability of the complex as a whole. SOU 9A38 combined the functions of the SPU and partially replaced the SURN, independently detecting targets in a given sector, performing capture and auto-tracking.
After the introduction of SOU 9A38 into the "Cube-M4", it became possible to target three of its own missiles and three missiles of an associated self-propelled launcher.
SAM family "Cube" remained in service with the Russian army until the mid-1990s. In the 21st century, almost all complexes of this type that were at the storage bases were disposed of, and a small part of the most recent air defense systems "Kub", after carrying out refurbishment and "minor" modernization, were transferred to the Allied countries.
SAM "Buk"
In 1980, the Buk air defense missile system was adopted. The Buk anti-aircraft missile battalion included: a 9S470 mobile command post, a 9S18 Kupol detection and targeting station, two anti-aircraft missile batteries with two 9A310 self-propelled gun mounts and one 9A39 launcher in each, as well as communications units, technical support and service. The four divisions were organizationally reduced to an anti-aircraft missile brigade, to control the actions of which the Polyana automated control system was used. Also, the brigade had its own radar equipment and radio communication vehicles. Organizationally, the anti-aircraft missile brigade was subordinate to the Army Air Defense Command.
The 9S470 mobile command post, located on the GM-579 chassis, provided reception and processing of information received from the 9S18 SOC, 9A310 SOC and from higher command posts. In the course of combat work, in automatic or manual mode, the selection of targets and their distribution between self-propelled firing units were carried out, indicating the sectors of responsibility of the SDU.
The crew of the command post could handle up to 46 targets in an area with a radius of 100 km and at altitudes up to 20 km. During the survey cycle of the detection and target designation station, up to 6 target designations with an accuracy of 1 ° in azimuth and in elevation, 400-700 m in range were provided for self-propelled firing installations. The mass of the command post with a combat crew of 6 people did not exceed 28 tons. The machine, equipped with a diesel engine with a capacity of 710 liters. with., on the highway accelerated to 65 km / h. The power reserve is 500 km.
As part of the Buk air defense missile system, a three-coordinate coherent-pulse station for detecting air targets 9S18 "Kupol" of the centimeter range with electronic scanning of the beam in the sector in elevation (set at 30 ° or 40 °) and mechanical (circular or in a given sector) rotation of the antenna along azimuth.
Detection and identification of air targets was provided at a range of up to 120 km (45 km at a flight altitude of 30 m) with the simultaneous transmission of information about the air situation to the battalion command post. The station provided target tracking with a probability of at least 0.5 against the background of local objects and in passive interference using a moving target selection scheme with automatic compensation of wind speed. Protection of the station from anti-radar missiles was achieved by programmed tuning of the carrier frequency and switching to circular polarization of the sounding signals or to the intermittent radiation mode. The time for transferring the radar from the traveling position to the combat position is no more than 5 minutes, and from the standby mode to the working one - no more than 20 s. The mass of the station with a calculation of 3 people is about 29 tons. The maximum speed of movement on the highway is 60 km / h. Since initially the development of the SOC 9S18 Kupol was carried out outside the scope of work on the Buk air defense missile system, and it was intended to be used as a means of detecting air targets of the air defense division of the ground forces, a different tracked chassis was used for this station, in many respects similar to the air defense system. Circle.
Compared to the Kub family air defense system, the Buk complex, thanks to its own multifunctional radar on the 9A310 SDU, had better combat stability and noise immunity, an increased number of target channels and ready-to-use anti-aircraft missiles. Self-propelled firing installations could independently search for a target in a given sector, each 9A310 SDU had four anti-aircraft missiles. The self-propelled gun mount is capable of performing a firing mission to destroy a target autonomously - without target designation from the battalion's command post. Telecode communication equipment provided the interface of self-propelled firing units with a command post and a launch-loading unit.
The time for transferring the SOU to the firing position is no more than 5 minutes. The time for transferring the installation from standby mode to working mode, after changing the position with the equipment turned on, was no more than 20 s. In case of replenishment of ammunition from the launcher, the full reload cycle is 12 minutes. When using a transport-charging vehicle, a complete recharge cycle is 16 minutes.
The crew of a four-man self-propelled gun mount was protected by armor that protects against bullets and light shrapnel. The combat vehicle on the GM-579 tracked chassis weighed 34 tons and could reach speeds of up to 65 km / h on the highway.
The 9A39 launcher was intended for the transportation, storage and launch of eight 9M38 missiles. In addition to a starting device with a power tracking drive, a crane and lodgments, the launch-charging installation included: navigation, topographic and orientation equipment, telecode communication and a power supply unit. The mass of the installation in the firing position is 35.5 tons. The crew is 3 people. Mobility and power reserve at the level of SDU 9A310.
To defeat aerodynamic targets in the composition of the Buk air defense missile system, the 9M38 SAM was used. This rocket, made according to the normal aerodynamic configuration with an X-shaped wing, used a dual-mode solid-propellant engine with a total runtime of about 15 seconds. The missile was equipped with a semi-active radar seeker, with homing according to the proportional navigation method. The target was captured after the launch, target illumination is carried out by the radar SOU 9A38.
The launch mass of the rocket is about 690 kg. Length - 5500 mm, diameter - 400 mm, wingspan - 700 mm, rudder span - 860 mm. To destroy air targets, a 70 kg fragmentation warhead is used, equipped with a 34 kg charge of a mixture of TNT and RDX. The rocket is equipped with an active pulsed radio fuse, which ensured the detonation of the warhead at a distance of 17 m from the target. If the radio fuse failed, the rocket self-destructed. SAM 9M38 is capable of hitting targets at ranges from 3.5 to 32 km, at an altitude of 25 to 18000. The probability of hitting a fighter-type target with one missile was 0.7-0.8 (0.6 when maneuvering with overloads up to 8G), a helicopter at low altitude - 0, 3-0, 6, a cruise missile - 0, 25-0, 5. An anti-aircraft missile division could simultaneously fire on 6 targets.
SAM "Buk-M1"
Immediately after the successful completion of state tests of the Buk air defense system, work began on its modernization. The customer demanded to increase the ability to combat cruise missiles and helicopters, increase the likelihood of defeat, as well as ensure the defeat of operational-tactical ballistic missiles. The 9K37M1 Buk-M1 air defense missile system was put into service in 1983. All means of the Buk-M1 air defense system were fully interchangeable with the elements of the basic modification complex.
To detect air targets in the Buk-M1 air defense missile system, a more advanced 9S18M1 Kupol-M1 detection and targeting station was used on a new element base, which has a flat HEADLIGHT and a unified tracked chassis GM-567M.
The 9S470M1 command post provides simultaneous reception of information from its own SOC and about six targets from the division's air defense command post or from the army's air defense command post. The 9A310M1 self-propelled gun mount provides detection and target acquisition for auto-tracking at long ranges (by 25-30%), as well as recognition of aircraft, ballistic missiles and helicopters. The radar complex SOU 9A310M1 uses 72 letter illumination frequencies (instead of 36), which has improved the protection against interference.
Along with the 9M38 SAM system, the Buk-M1 SAM system used improved 9M38M1 missiles with a maximum firing range of 35 km. The probability of destroying a fighter-type target with one missile in the absence of organized interference is 0, 8..0, 95. The upgraded complex is capable of shooting down ALCM cruise missiles with a probability of hitting at least 0.4, and anti-tank helicopters AH-1 Huey Cobra - with a probability of 0, 6-0, 7, as well as hovering helicopters - with a probability of 0, 3-0, 4 at a distance of 3, 5 to 10 km.
In addition to improving the combat characteristics, the Buk-M1 air defense missile system, in comparison with the Buk, was able to achieve greater operational reliability. The transfer of the main elements of the complex to a single tracked chassis simplified repair and maintenance. The Buk-M1 modification complexes have become the most massive in the family. Although the Buk air defense system was formally created to replace the Cube air defense system in the anti-aircraft missile regiments of tank divisions, in fact, they were mainly equipped with anti-aircraft missile brigades of the army subordination. The brigade provided effective cover for troops in almost the entire range of heights from enemy aircraft, helicopters and cruise missiles. The Buk air defense missile system in the structure of the Soviet air defense system pushed the Krug air defense system and partly replaced and supplemented the longer-range S-300V air defense systems.
SAM "Buk-M1-2"
The collapse of the USSR and the economic "reforms" that led to underfunding of development work seriously hampered the further improvement of the Buk anti-aircraft missile systems. The next modification, Buk-M1-2, was formally put into service only in 1998. Although it is not known about the purchase of such complexes by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, the Buk-M1-2 air defense system has become a significant step forward thanks to the use of the new 9M317 missile defense system and the modernization of other elements of the complex. At the same time, it was possible to ensure the defeat of tactical ballistic missiles, aircraft missiles at ranges of up to 20 km, cruise missiles with low ESR, surface ships at ranges of up to 25 km, and radio-contrast ground targets at ranges of up to 15 km. The far border of the affected area has been increased to 45 km, in height - up to 25 km. Flight speed - up to 1230 m / s, overload - up to 24 g. The launch mass of the rocket is 715 kg.
Externally, the 9M317 SAM differs from the 9M38M1 in the shorter wing chord length. To control it, an inertial system with radio correction is used, combined with a semi-active radar seeker with an on-board computer, with guidance according to the method of proportional navigation. The missile is equipped with a two-channel fuse - an active pulse and semi-active radar, as well as a contact sensor system. The core warhead weighs 70 kg. When firing at surface and ground targets, the radio fuse is turned off and a contact fuse is used. The missile has a high level of reliability, fully assembled and equipped with missiles does not require checks and adjustments during the entire service life of 10 years.
The main elements of the Buk-M1-2 complex are made on the GM-569 chassis. A television-optical sight and a laser rangefinder have been added to the hardware part of the 9A310M1-2 SOU. In fact, the Buk-M1-2 is a variant of the "small" modernization of the Buk-M1 air defense missile system, during which, at minimal cost, thanks to the introduction of the new 9М317 missile defense system, it was possible to achieve a significant improvement in combat characteristics. Subsequently, the developments obtained during the creation of the Buk-M1-2 air defense system were used to create more advanced systems.
SAM "Buk-M2"
The next serial modification was the Buk-M2 air defense missile system, which was put into service in 2008. At this complex, the radar equipment and means of displaying information have undergone a cardinal update. On all machines of the complex, screens with cathode-ray tubes have been replaced by multifunctional color LCD monitors. All combat vehicles are equipped with modern digital radio stations that provide reception and transmission of both voice information and coded target designation and target distribution data. Satellite navigation is used in parallel with inertial navigation equipment. The complex can be operated in various climatic zones; for this, the machines are equipped with air conditioning.
Detection of air targets is carried out by SOTS 9S18M1-3 with a coherent-pulse surveillance radar of centimeter range with electronic scanning of the beam in a vertical plane, mounted on a tracked chassis GM-567M. Protection against interference is provided by instantaneous tuning of the pulse frequency, as well as by blocking the range intervals. The radar is protected from reflected signals from the ground and other passive interference by compensating for losses in direction, wind speed and selectivity of real targets. Target detection range with RCS of 2 m² - 160 km.
The updated command post 9S510 was able to simultaneously process 60 targets and issue 36 target designations. At the same time, the time from receiving information to transferring it to firing installations is no more than 2 seconds.
The 9A317 self-propelled gun mount on the GM-569 tracked chassis is outwardly different from the previous models with a flat surface of a radar with a phased antenna array. SOU 9A317 can search for targets in a zone of ± 45 ° in azimuth and 70 ° in elevation. The detection range of a target with an RCS of 2 m² flying at an altitude of 3 km is up to 120 km. Target tracking is carried out in the sector in azimuth ± 60 °, in elevation - from -5 to + 85 °. The installation is capable of simultaneously detecting up to 10 targets and firing up to 4 targets. The reaction time of the SOU is 4 seconds, and bringing it into combat readiness after changing the position is 20 seconds. The calculation also has a daily optoelectronic system with thermal imaging and television channels, which significantly increases the noise immunity and survivability of the air defense system. A number of sources say that with the 9A317 SDU without turning on the illumination and guidance radar, it is possible to use 9M317A anti-aircraft missiles with an active radar homing head. But whether there are such missiles in the troops is unknown.
The 9A316 launcher is based on the GM-577 tracked chassis. As with the early air defense systems of the Buk family, it can be used as a launcher and transport-loading vehicle. A crew of 4 provides loading of 9A317 missiles with 9M317 missiles in 15 minutes. Self-loading time - 13 minutes.
A new element has been introduced into the Buk-M2 air defense system - the 9S36 target illumination and missile guidance station. In terms of its characteristics, the station is similar to the radar used on the 9A317 SDU. The antenna post of the radar with the HEADLIGHT which rises to a height of up to 22 m is designed to guide the 9M317 missile defense system at targets flying at low and extremely low altitudes, in wooded and rugged terrain. The rising antenna post provides an expansion of the radio horizon at extremely low altitudes by more than 2.5 times, which makes it possible to detect cruise missiles flying at an altitude of 5 m at a distance of up to 70 km.
The first serial complexes "Buk-M2" in 2009 were received by the 297th anti-aircraft missile brigade, stationed in the vicinity of the village of Leonidovka in the Penza region. According to information published in publicly available sources, as of 2019, 5 anti-aircraft missile brigades were armed in the Russian Army of the Buk-M2 air defense system.
SAM "Buk-M3"
In 2016, at the International Military-Technical Forum "Army 2016" in Kubinka, the Buk-M3 air defense system was demonstrated for the first time, in the same year the complex was put into service.
The main external difference between the Buk-M3 air defense system and the Buk-M2 was the use of the new 9M317M anti-aircraft missiles supplied in transport and launch containers. At the same time, the ready-to-use ammunition load on combat vehicles of the Buk-M3 air defense missile system has increased by 1.5 times. On the 9A317M self-propelled launcher, made on the GM-5969 unified chassis, the number of missiles increased from 4 to 6, and on the 9A316M self-propelled launcher instead of 8 missiles, 12 TPKs with missiles were placed.
The characteristics of the means of optoelectronic and radar means of detection and guidance are similar to those used in the Buk-M2 air defense system. At the same time, the combat capabilities of the Buk-M3 air defense system were significantly increased due to the use of new anti-aircraft missiles. The complex provides simultaneous shelling of up to 36 air targets flying from different directions.
Unfortunately, we managed to find a high-quality image only of the 9M317MFE rocket, which is used as part of the Shtil-1E shipborne air defense system. In the ship version, the rocket is vertically ejected from the transport and launch container to a height of 10 meters, followed by the engine start.
SAM 9M317M is a single-stage solid-propellant rocket, made according to the normal aerodynamic configuration. Missile length - 5180 mm, body diameter - 360 mm, rudder span - 820 mm. Due to the fact that the rocket is equipped with a more powerful dual-mode engine with an increased operating time, the 9M317M's controlled flight range has been increased to 70 km. Reach in height - 35 km, flight speed - 1550 m / s. The missile is supplied and stored in a sealed transport and launch container, fully ready for combat use, and does not require checks of on-board equipment during the entire established service life.
At the main stage of the flight, the rocket is controlled by an autopilot with correction by radio signals, and when approaching the target, a semi-active Doppler radar homing head with an integrated on-board computer is used. However, this guidance method requires radar illumination at the final stage, which significantly unmasks the air defense system and limits the range of application by the radio horizon. To eliminate this drawback, a 9M317MA missile defense system with an active radar homing head was developed. The use of missiles with ARGSN makes it possible to fire with switched off RPNs, which greatly increases the survivability of the battalion. The characteristics of the ARGSN, used on the 9M317MA rocket, make it possible to capture a target with an RCS of 0.3 m² at a distance of up to 35 km.
After adopting the Buk-M3 air defense system, they began to actively replace the outdated and worn out Soviet-built Buk-M1 complexes. According to information published in the Russian media at the end of 2017, 3 anti-aircraft missile brigades partially or completely switched over to the new complexes.
SAM "Buk-M1", "Buk-M2" and "Buk-M3" in the Russian armed forces
During the years of Serdyukovshchina, a number of Buk family air defense systems were withdrawn from the air defense units of the ground forces. Anti-aircraft missile brigades were disbanded, and their equipment, weapons and personnel were transferred to the air defense-missile defense of the Aerospace Forces to equip anti-aircraft missile regiments performing tasks to cover important strategic objects. So in the course of "giving a new look" the holes formed in our air defense system after the decommissioning of the exhausted S-200VM / D and S-300PT air defense systems were repaired.
Air defense systems of the Buk family were originally created in the interests of the air defense of the ground forces, but quite often they are used to cover important military and civilian targets from air attack. A typical example of this approach is the position in the Uch-Dere area, about 8 km northwest of the center of Sochi.
According to The Military Balance 2016, four years ago, the Russian armed forces had more than 400 Buk-M1 and Buk-M2 air defense systems. Apparently, the reference book refers to self-propelled firing installations and launch-loading vehicles, that is, equipment with which anti-aircraft missiles can be launched. Thus, in the anti-aircraft missile brigades of the air defense of the ground forces and in the anti-aircraft missile regiments of the Aerospace Forces there should be more than 60 divisions. However, this estimate is overstated. According to more realistic information, referred to by domestic and foreign experts, in 2018, the air defense forces of the army level ground forces had: 10 Buk-M1 air defense missiles, 12 Buk-M2 air defense missiles and 8 Buk-M3 air defense missiles. In total, at that time, the troops consisted of: 90 SDU 9A310M1 and ROM 9A39M1 (SAM "Buk-M1"), 108 SDU 9A317 and ROM 9A316 ("Buk-M2"), 32 SDU 9A317M and SPU 9A316M ("Buk-M3"). Taking into account the fact that the Buk-M1 modification complexes are being removed from service and replaced by the Buk-M2 and Buk-M3, the number of anti-aircraft missile divisions in anti-aircraft missile brigades remains approximately at the same level.
Although military air defense systems on a tracked chassis are not very well suited for long-term combat duty, after re-equipping anti-aircraft missile brigades with new equipment and mastering it by personnel, anti-aircraft missile divisions are alternately involved to provide air defense of large military garrisons, air bases and other important defense facilities.
Judging by the satellite images, one anti-aircraft missile division of the 90th air defense missile brigade stationed in the village of Afipsky, Krasnodar Territory, after rearmament in 2015 from the Buk-M1 air defense system to the Buk-M2, is on a permanent basis on alert.
The same applies to the 140th air defense brigade, deployed near the large Domna airbase in the Trans-Baikal Territory. Since the place of permanent deployment of the equipment and weapons of the anti-aircraft missile brigade is located in the immediate vicinity of the airbase, combat duty is conducted on the site not far from the boxes where the combat vehicles are stored.
The Buk-M2 / M3 air defense systems currently available in the troops are capable of covering the RF Armed Forces groupings in the entire altitude range and accompanying tank and motorized rifle divisions on the march and in the frontline zone. In the event of the outbreak of war, they must not only provide protection against air strikes of groupings, formations and bases, but also be involved in solving the country's air defense missions in the places of deployment. However, taking into account the need to write off the remaining Buk-M1 air defense systems and improve the means of enemy air attack, a number of anti-aircraft missile brigades need to be re-equipped with modern complexes.
