In 1960, the 2K6 Luna tactical missile system was adopted by the missile forces and artillery. It differed from its predecessors in improved performance, and was also built in a large series, which made it possible to transfer several hundred complexes to the troops. Soon after the adoption of the new model for service, it was decided to start developing the next modification of the missile system. The new project was designated 9K52 Luna-M.
The decree of the Council of Ministers of the USSR on the development of a promising missile system, which is a further development of existing systems, was issued in mid-March 1961. The development of the project as a whole was entrusted to NII-1 (now the Moscow Institute of Thermal Engineering), which had experience in creating tactical missile systems. The terms of reference stipulated the development of a single-stage ballistic missile without control systems, capable of hitting targets at ranges up to 65 km. It was required to take into account the possibility of using warheads of several types. Also, it was necessary to develop two versions of a self-propelled launcher with different types of chassis and, as a result, different characteristics.
The main goal of the project, which received the designation "Luna-M", was to improve the main tactical and technical characteristics in comparison with existing equipment. In addition, by one means or another it was proposed to improve the operational characteristics of the complex, as well as to reduce its composition. So, it was proposed to equip the 9P113 wheeled self-propelled launcher with its own crane for working with missiles. This made it possible not to include a transport-loading vehicle or a self-propelled crane in the rocket complex, dispensing only with relatively simple transporters. Some other ideas and solutions were also proposed to improve the overall performance.
Preparation of the 9K52 "Luna-M" complex for rocket launch. Photo Rbase.new-factoria.ru
During the design work, employees of several organizations of the defense industry developed several versions of the launcher at once. However, not all of them reached mass production and operation in the army. Initially, self-propelled units on a wheeled and tracked chassis were created, and later more daring proposals appeared, such as a lightweight system suitable for air transport.
The 9P113 self-propelled launcher was developed by the forces of several enterprises responsible for the supply of certain units. The basis for this vehicle was the ZIL-135LM four-axle wheeled chassis. The chassis had an 8x8 wheel arrangement with steerable front and rear wheels. Two ZIL-357Ya engines with a capacity of 180 hp were used. The car had two sets of transmissions, each of which was responsible for transmitting engine torque to the wheels of its side. There was an independent torsion bar suspension with additional hydraulic shock absorbers on the front and rear axles. With its own weight of 10, 5 tons, the ZIL-135LM chassis could carry a 10-ton load.
A set of special units was mounted on the cargo area of the chassis. Places were provided for the installation of a launcher, a crane, etc. In addition, a stabilization system was developed in the form of four screw jacks. A couple of such devices were placed behind the front wheels, two more on the rear of the car. Due to the limited horizontal guidance sector, the cockpit received windshield protection.
Schematic of a self-propelled launcher 9P113. 1 - cockpit; 2 - rocket; 3 - jack; 4 - stairs; 5 - box with equipment; 6 - engine compartment; 7 - boom of the lifting crane; 8 - area for calculation when loading the rocket; 9 - area for calculation when hovering. Figure Shirokorad A. B. "Domestic mortars and rocket artillery"
Above the rear axle of the chassis, it was proposed to mount a rotary support for a missile launcher. It was made in the form of a platform with the ability to rotate in a horizontal plane at a small angle. A swinging unit was hinged on the platform, the main part of which was a beam guide for the rocket. The length of the guide was 9, 97 m. It was possible to turn in the horizontal plane by 7 ° to the right and left from the neutral position. The vertical guidance angle varied from + 15 ° to + 65 °.
On the starboard side of the chassis, behind the third axle of the undercarriage, a crane slewing ring was placed. Even at the stage of preliminary study of the appearance of the missile system, it was proposed to abandon the use of a transport-loading vehicle in favor of a simpler transport one. In accordance with this proposal, the loading of missiles on the launcher was to be carried out by the combat vehicle's own crane. Because of this, the 9P113 machine received a crane with hydraulic drives. The lifting capacity of this device reached 2, 6 tons. The control was carried out from a control panel located next to the crane itself.
The length of the 9P113 self-propelled launcher was 10, 7 m, width - 2, 8 m, height with a rocket - 3, 35 m. The vehicle's own weight was 14, 89 kg. After equipping the launcher, this parameter increased to 17.56 tons. The wheeled combat vehicle could reach speeds of up to 60 km / h on the highway. On rough terrain, the maximum speed was limited to 40 km / h. The power reserve is 650 km. An important feature of the wheeled chassis was the softness of the ride. Unlike tracked vehicles of previous missile systems, 9P113 did not create excessive overloads that affected the rocket being transported and limited the speed. Among other things, this made it possible in practice to realize all the possibilities associated with the characteristics of mobility.
Machine 9P113 in the stowed position. Photo Rbase.new-factoria.ru
As in previous projects, ballistic missiles were not supposed to have control systems. For this reason, the self-propelled launcher received a set of equipment necessary to carry out the aiming. With the help of onboard equipment, the crew had to determine their own location, as well as calculate the guidance angles of the launcher. Most of the operations to prepare the machine for firing were carried out using the remote control.
The 9P113 was to be driven by a crew of five. On the march, the crew was in the cockpit, while preparing for firing or reloading the launcher - at their workplaces. It took 10 minutes to prepare for launch after arriving at the firing position. Reloading the rocket from the transport vehicle to the launcher took 1 hour.
Until a certain time, the possibility of creating a self-propelled launcher based on a tracked chassis for the 9K52 Luna-M complex was considered. A similar machine, designated Br-237 and 9P112, was developed by the Volgograd plant "Barrikady". The project provided for the use of a chassis borrowed from the PT-76 amphibious tank and redesigned accordingly. In place of the combat and engine compartments of the tank, it was proposed to place a low-height roof, on which the systems for mounting the launcher were located. The design of the latter was similar to that used in the 9P113 project. The development of the tracked combat vehicle project continued until 1964. After that, the prototype was tested at the test site, where it could not show any noticeable advantages over alternative developments. As a result, work on the Br-237 / 9P112 was curtailed due to the lack of prospects.
Launcher in firing position. Photo Wikimedia Commons
Another interesting carrier of the Luna-M missiles was to be the 9P114 light vehicle. This project proposed using a light biaxial chassis with a set of necessary equipment. This architecture of the launcher made it possible to transport the 9P114 object by helicopters of existing types. Due to significant differences from the basic system, the complex based on the 9P114 launcher received its own designation 9K53 "Luna-MV". In the future, this system even managed to reach trial operation.
To work together with the 9P113, the 9T29 transport vehicle was developed. It was based on the ZIL-135LM chassis and had a fairly simple equipment necessary to fulfill its main task. A farm with attachments for transporting three missiles with installed warheads was placed on the cargo area of the chassis. The missiles were located on the mounts openly, but, if necessary, could be covered with an awning. In view of the presence of a crane on a machine with a launcher, it was decided to abandon the use of such devices as part of the 9T29. The transport vehicle was driven by a crew of two.
It was proposed to control the operation of the 9K52 Luna-M missile systems using the 1V111 mobile command post. It was a van body with a set of communication equipment installed on one of the serial automobile chassis. The characteristics allowed the command post to move on roads and off-road along with other equipment of the complex.
Tracked self-propelled launcher Br-237 / 9P112. Figure Shirokorad A. B. "Domestic mortars and rocket artillery"
The weapon of the "Luna-M" complex was supposed to be a solid-propellant single-stage unguided ballistic missile 9M21. The project proposed the use of a unified rocket unit, to which warheads with several types of combat equipment could be docked. Unlike the missiles of previous complexes, products with warheads of different types were considered modifications of the base missile and received the corresponding designations.
The 9M21 missiles of early modifications had a length of 8, 96 m with a hull diameter of 544 mm and a stabilizer span of 1, 7 m. A cylindrical body of large elongation with a tapered head fairing and an X-shaped tail stabilizer was used. The rocket was divided into three main parts: a head with a warhead, a rotation engine compartment and a sustainer engine. It also provided for the use of a starting engine, reset after leaving the guide.
All rocket engines used solid fuel with a total weight of 1080 kg. With the help of the starting engine, it was proposed to carry out the initial acceleration of the rocket, after which the sustainer was turned on. In addition, immediately after leaving the guide, the rotation motor was turned on, the task of which was to spin the product around its axis. This engine had a central cylindrical combustion chamber and four exhaust pipes, placed on the housing at an angle to the axis of the product. After the fuel of the engine of rotation was depleted, stabilization was carried out using tail stabilizers.
Transport vehicle 9T29. Photo Wikimedia Commons
For the 9M21 missile, several types of warheads with various types of equipment were developed. Continuing the development of the ideas laid down in previous projects, the authors of the project created modifications of the rocket with the designations 9М21Б and 9М21Б1, equipped with nuclear warheads. It was proposed to detonate at a given height using a radio altimeter. The explosion power reached 250 kt.
The 9M21F rocket received a high-explosive cumulative warhead with a 200-kg charge. Such a product made it possible to hit the enemy's manpower and equipment with a shock wave and shrapnel. In addition, the cumulative jet could penetrate concrete fortifications. The 9M21F missile received a high-explosive fragmentation warhead, and the 9M21K carried cluster equipment with fragmentation submunitions. There were 42 elements with 1.7 kg of explosive in each.
Also, agitation, chemical and several training combat units were developed. For storage and transportation, the warheads of 9M21 missiles of all modifications were equipped with special containers. In addition, after loading the rocket onto the launcher, special warheads were to be covered with special covers with a thermostatic system.
Museum specimen 9T29, view from a different angle. Photo Wikimedia Commons
Depending on the type of warhead, the length of the rocket could increase to 9, 4 m. The mass of ammunition varied from 2432 to 2486 kg. The weight of the warheads ranged from 420 to 457 kg. The available solid-propellant engine allowed the rocket to reach speeds of up to 1200 m / s, depending on the launch weight and the type of warhead. The minimum firing distance with such flight parameters was 12 km, the maximum - 65 km. KVO at the maximum range reached 2 km.
By the end of the sixties, in the course of improving the Luna-M complex, the 9M21-1 rocket was created. It differed in a different body design with less weight. In addition, several other characteristics have been improved. Despite all the changes, the product retained full compatibility with existing head parts.
Extensive experience in creating unguided rockets allowed NII-1 to complete the design of the main components of a promising complex in just a few months. Already in December 1961, the first launch of the prototype of the 9M21 rocket with a weight simulator of the warhead took place. In these tests, due to the lack of the required equipment, a stationary launcher was used. Self-propelled vehicles with the required equipment appeared only in 1964, when they passed their first tests. Based on the results of the first checks, it was decided to abandon the further development of the tracked armored vehicle in favor of the wheeled 9P113. In addition, the tests led to the approval of the 9K53 project, followed by the acceptance of such equipment for trial operation.
Self-propelled launcher 9P114, developed for the 9K53 Luna-MV complex. Photo Militaryrussia.ru
The absence of serious problems during the tests made it possible to quickly complete all the necessary checks. In 1964, the newest 9K52 Luna-M tactical missile system was recommended for adoption, and soon this recommendation was confirmed by an official order. Soon, serial production of the complexes was launched, to which several different enterprises were attracted. For example, the ZIL-135LM chassis was produced by the Bryansk Automobile Plant, and the special equipment was made by the Barrikady enterprise. The latter also carried out the final assembly of self-propelled vehicles.
The organizational structure of units armed with complexes of a new type was determined as follows. Two 9P113 launchers and one 9T29 transport vehicle were reduced to a battery. Two batteries made up a battalion. In different periods of operation, the batteries of the Luna-M complexes were distributed between tank and motorized rifle divisions. Interestingly, in the early stages of operation, the missile forces lacked transport vehicles. Because of this, the missiles had to be transported on existing semi-trailers that were created for the previous complexes.
In 1966, a resolution of the Council of Ministers appeared, in accordance with which the development of the 9K52M Luna-3 project was started. The main task of this project was to improve the accuracy of shooting. The task was to be carried out with the help of special deflectable aerodynamic flaps. According to calculations, such equipment made it possible to bring the KVO up to 500 m. In addition, by increasing the fuel reserve and some other systems, it was proposed to increase the firing range to 75 km. Some changes in the design of the rocket, in comparison with the base 9M21, led to the need to upgrade the launcher. The result of these works was the appearance of the 9P113M combat vehicle, capable of using missiles of all existing types.
Complex "Luna-M" in the army. Photo Wikimedia Commons
In 1968, tests of the updated Luna-3 complex began. Almost fifty launches of new missiles were carried out, which did not show the required accuracy characteristics. In some cases, the deviation from the target exceeded several kilometers. Based on the test results, further development of the 9K52M Luna-3 complex was discontinued. At the same time, work began on promising guided missile systems. Subsequently, this led to the appearance of the Tochka complex, which uses missiles with a full-fledged guidance system based on inertial equipment.
In 1968, the Soviet industry mastered the production of a modification of the missile system intended for supplies to foreign countries. Complex 9K52TS ("tropical, dry") had some differences associated with the expected operating conditions. In addition, he could not use 9M21 missiles with special warheads. Only high-explosive fragmentation warheads were allowed for sale abroad.
Serial production of Luna-M tactical missile systems began in 1964 and continued until 1972. According to domestic sources, in total, the troops received about 500 self-propelled launchers and a corresponding number of transport vehicles. According to foreign data, by the mid-eighties (that is, a decade and a half after the completion of production), the Soviet Union had 750 9P113 launchers. Probably, foreign estimates were significantly overestimated for one reason or another.
9M21 rocket launch. Photo Militaryrussia.ru
Not earlier than the beginning of the seventies, the Luna-M missile systems began to be supplied to foreign customers. For a long time, similar equipment in different quantities was transferred to Algeria, Afghanistan, Yemen, North Korea, Egypt, Iraq, Poland, Romania and other friendly states. In most cases, deliveries did not exceed 15-20 vehicles, but some contracts implied the supply of more equipment. For example, Libya had up to 48 launchers of the 9K52TS complex, and Poland - 52 machines.
For several decades of operation, the missile systems of some states took part in various hostilities. It is interesting that the Soviet missile forces and artillery used only one 9M21 missile in a combat situation - in 1988 in Afghanistan. The use of missiles by other armies was noticeably higher, but the limited amount of equipment did not allow showing any outstanding results.
In view of complete obsolescence, tactical missile systems with unguided weapons are gradually being decommissioned. For example, by the beginning of this decade, no more than 16 Luna-M launchers remained in the Russian armed forces. Some other countries, primarily European ones, have completely abandoned obsolete weapons by now and have written them off as unnecessary. Now the main operators of such equipment are countries that are unable to carry out a full rearmament of their missile forces.
Iraqi 9P113 vehicles of the 9K52TS complex, abandoned during the retreat. April 24, 2003 Photo Wikimedia Commons
Already in the second half of the seventies, Soviet missile forces and artillery began to master the latest operational-tactical missile systems "Tochka", equipped with guided weapons. This technique had great advantages over all previously developed systems, because of which their further operation no longer made sense. The Soviet Union began rearmament, gradually phasing out unguided missile systems. The 9K52 Luna-M tactical missile system remained the last domestic serial system of this class to use unguided missiles. In addition, it remained in history as the most massive of its kind, and also as the most successful piece of equipment in terms of export volumes.
Even without taking into account the mass production, export performance and service life, the Luna-M complex can be considered the most successful domestic development of its class. Having gained considerable experience in the creation of unguided rockets with a firing range of up to several tens of kilometers, as well as self-propelled equipment for their use, Soviet designers were able to obtain the highest possible performance. However, further attempts to improve equipment and weapons did not give the expected results, which led to the start of work on guided missiles. However, even after the start of deliveries of new systems, the 9K52 "Luna-M" complexes retained their place in the troops and helped to maintain combat capability at the required level.
