Since the mid-60s, despite the declared neutrality, the Swedish air defense system was actually integrated into the NATO air defense system in Europe. In Sweden, even earlier than in NATO, the creation of an automated control system for active air defense assets STRIL-60 began. Prior to that, the STRIL-50 system functioned in Sweden, combining stationary radars, visual observation posts on the coast and several operational centers using wired communication lines and radio stations, in which the collection, processing, display and prompt submission of information necessary for solving air defense missions. The Stril-50 system copied the British air defense system, the entire territory of the country was divided into 11 sectors.
The computerized system "Stril-60" was developed by the military department in conjunction with the British company Marconi Electronic Systems, the system provided control not only of interceptor fighters, but also anti-aircraft artillery guns, anti-aircraft missile systems and air defense systems of the fleet. Separate elements of the system began to be put into operation in 1962. In 1964, the development of the key part of the automated control system (ACS) - the Digitrak complex of equipment for processing and displaying radar information - was completed. The information display complex "Digitrak", developed by the Swedish company SRT, at that time had no analogues in a number of characteristics in the European NATO countries. Its main elements were: a "Sensor" computer, indicators of the air situation, an azimuth scan unit, a symbol generator and means of communication with other data processing centers. The parallel operation of several computers (up to 16 pcs.) Was ensured, which was possible thanks to the creation of an internal computer network, this was a great achievement for the mid-60s. One computer "Sensor" could process the results of automatic tracking of 200 air targets. At that time, the characteristics of the Digitrak complex were more than enough to identify and process the parameters of several hundred air targets. The Swedish military in the 60s believed that Soviet Tu-16 bombers posed the main threat to the country's territory.
STRIL-60 system radar information display consoles
The equipment of the Digitrak complex, created on the basis of solid-state electronic modules, made it possible, in accordance with the requirements, to form complex systems that can perform the following functions:
- display raw radar data;
- generate and display symbols;
- determine the trajectory and flight speed of the target;
- to process radar data;
- to carry out automatic tracking of targets;
- to provide processing of data on altitude;
- display data on various indicator devices;
- to interface with other computers.
As the initial data, the Stril-60 system used information coming from a network of ground, ship and radar stations. The Digitrak equipment interfaced with most types of radars that existed at that time in Sweden. Radar information came through specially laid protected cable lines, as well as high-frequency radio channels. It was also envisaged to obtain data from visual observation posts. The technical solutions incorporated in the creation of the Stril-60 system allowed it to remain sufficiently efficient until the beginning of the 90s with periodic modernization of hardware and computing facilities.
The main long-range means of detecting air targets in the 50-70s were four stationary radar posts as part of the Type 80 meter range radar (Swedish designation PS-08) and Deca HF-200 radio altimeters, built in the southern part of the country. The radar equipment was sourced from the UK.
Radar Type 80
In addition to the PS-08 radar, together with French and Italian developers, the PS-65 decimeter range radar has been produced in Sweden since the early 60s. In total, until the beginning of the 90s, 9 radar posts functioned. Since 1966, the commissioning of the PS-15 radar of the centimeter range began. This station was a licensed version of the British radar ARGUS 2000. The radar antenna was installed on a 100-meter mast, which made it possible to detect low-flying targets at a distance of up to 45 km.
Radar PS-66
In the early 70s, stationary VHF radars PS-66 manufactured by Thomson-CSF were integrated into the Stril-60. A total of 5 such stations were built in Sweden, they were in operation until 2003.
When pointing fighter-interceptors, the Stril-60 automated system not only brought the interceptor to the target area, where it searched for its own radar, but also transmitted data on the direction of attack, navigation parameters, altitude, speed and course of the target, and also calculated the optimal distance missile launch. After the commissioning of the Stril-60 system, thanks to the high automation of processing and high-speed data transmission, the number of air defense sectors was reduced from 11 to 7.
After putting into operation in 1974 the NATO air defense system "Neige", channels of information exchange with the Swedish system "Stril-60" were organized. In turn, the Swedes received data from stationary radar posts located in Denmark, Norway and Germany. In the 1990s, the Stril-60 was replaced by the Stril-90, which is a modern combat control system integrated with AWACS aircraft and JAS-39 Gripen fighters. The control center for the Swedish air defense system is located at Uppsala airbase, 70 km north of Stockholm.
In the first post-war decade, the ground component of the Swedish air defense system relied on 105, 75 and 40-mm anti-aircraft guns from Bofors and American-made radars. However, it soon became clear that anti-aircraft guns alone, even with radar guidance, were not able to effectively protect against raids by modern bombers, and interceptors could be linked in combat with escort fighters or blocked at airfields.
In the late 60s, Sweden purchased from the USA FIM-43 Redeye MANPADS, designated RBS 69 and medium-range air defense systems MIM-23 Hawk. At the same time, in the 80s, the Swedish "Hawks" were modernized in order to increase reliability, noise immunity and increase the likelihood of hitting a target.
SAM Bloodhound
In 1965, 9 batteries of the Bloodhound long-range air defense system were purchased from the UK. Despite the fact that at home the last complexes of this type were decommissioned in 1990, in Sweden they served on combat duty until 1999.
Simultaneously with the purchase of air defense means abroad in Sweden itself, work was carried out to improve existing and create new models. On the basis of the well-proven 40-mm anti-aircraft machine 40-mm Bofors L60 in 1951, a new Bofors L70 gun was created for a more powerful 40 × 364R ammunition with a projectile slightly lighter up to 870 g, which made it possible to increase the muzzle velocity to 1030 m / s. In addition, the anti-aircraft gun received a new carriage, a recoil mechanism and a loading system. In November 1953, this gun was adopted as the standard NATO anti-aircraft gun, and soon it began to be produced in thousands of series. Over the years of production, several variants of this anti-aircraft gun have been created, which differed in the power supply scheme and sighting devices. The latest modifications had a rate of fire of 330 rds / min.
Bofors L70
40-mm anti-aircraft guns Bofors L70 are still in service with the Swedish army. The fire of anti-aircraft batteries is controlled by a computerized radar guidance system. For anti-aircraft guns, 40-mm fragmentation shells with a programmable detonation point have been created. The Bofors L70 cannon is used as the "main caliber" in the CV9040 BMP and in the CV 9040 AAV SPAAG.
ZSU CV 9040 AAV
The main external difference between the ZSU and the BMP is the Thales TRS 2620 search radar on the rear of the turret. A batch of 27 serial CV 9040 AAV anti-aircraft guns was released in the late 90s, and this is the only self-propelled anti-aircraft gun that is in service with the Swedish army. It is designed primarily to combat helicopter gunships.
In 1967, work began on the creation of a new short-range air defense system. In parallel with the anti-aircraft complex, a mobile pulse-Doppler radar for detection and target designation PS-70 / R, operating in the range of 5, 4-5, 9 GHz, was designed. Later this station became widely known as the PS-70 Giraffe. Currently, there are several modifications of the station, all of them have in common a foldable mast, which raises the antenna above the folds of the terrain. The radar antenna rises to a height of 12 meters. The PS-70 Giraffe can be mounted on a variety of chassis, including the Tgb-40 all-wheel drive three-axle truck and the Bv-206 tracked carrier. The radar deployment time is no more than 5 minutes. The radar crew consists of five people, providing tracking of three targets in manual mode, serving up to nine fire crews.
Radar PS-70 Giraffe
The first version with a detection range of 40 km was intended for fire control of 20 and 40-mm anti-aircraft guns, as well as for issuing target designation of short-range air defense systems RBS-70. This was followed by modifications PS-701, PS-707, PS-90, Giraffe 1X, Giraffe 4A and Giraffe 8A. Today the Swedish radars of this family are among the best in their class. The latest versions of the radar are three-dimensional and have an active antenna array with electronic scanning (AFAR), and are capable of detecting air targets at a distance of 180 km.
The first Swedish air defense system was the RBS-70 laser-guided missile, which entered service in 1977. Although it is positioned as portable, from the very beginning the complex was intended to be installed on various chassis. The RBS-70 occupied a niche between the 40-mm L70 anti-aircraft guns and the MIM-23 Hawk air defense system. SAM RBS-70 in the armed forces of Sweden provides air defense units of the battalion-company link. The weight of the complex as a whole is more than 100 kg and it would be a stretch to call it portable. The launch range of the first version was 5000 meters, the height of the targets hit was 3000 meters. The Rb-70 missile uses a combined fragmentation-cumulative warhead with armor penetration on the latest versions of missiles up to 200 mm of armor steel. The use of guidance along the laser channel and the combined warhead make it possible to use the complex for firing at ground and surface targets. In the event of a miss, the air target is struck by ready-made lethal elements - tungsten balls.
SAM RBS-70
The RBS-70 air defense system includes:
- 2 missiles in TPK (total weight 48 kg);
- guidance unit (weight 35 kg), consists of an optical sight and a device for forming a laser beam;
- equipment for identification "friend or foe" (weight 11 kg), - power supply and tripod (weight 24kg).
In comparison with other modern MANPADS, the RBS-70 wins in firing range, especially on a collision course. The main disadvantage of the complex is its large mass (the launcher and two missiles in the TPK weigh about 120 kg). Moving the complex over long distances is difficult and you have to use vehicles or mount it on different chassis. It cannot be applied off the shoulder, carried or applied in the field alone. The command method of aiming the missile defense system requires the RBS-70 operator to be well trained and mentally resilient. Target tracking takes 10-15 seconds. The operator needs to quickly assess the range to the target, its speed, direction and altitude in order to make a decision to launch the missile. At the same time, the missile defense system is not sensitive to interference organized for MANPADS with TGS. But at the same time, certain restrictions may arise when the transparency of the atmosphere deteriorates, which impedes the passage of laser radiation.
Over the years of production, more than 1500 sets of air defense systems were produced, of which about 70% were for export deliveries. According to the manufacturer Saab Bofors Dynamics, the total number of training missile launches has exceeded 2000. At the same time, about 90% of the training targets were hit. This is a fairly high figure, but it should be understood that the launches were carried out, as a rule, in ideal meteorological conditions, from prepared positions, at low-speed, non-maneuvering unmanned targets or balloons simulating hovering helicopters. During the shooting at the range, the life of the air defense missile system operator is not in danger, which predetermines a normal emotional and psychological state. As is known from the experience of warfare, during a stressful situation, the number of misses increases many times.
The improvement of the RBS-70 air defense system was carried out in the direction of increasing the reliability, the likelihood of defeat, the power of the warhead, the range and reach in height. The first improved versions of the Rb-70 SAM appeared in the early 90s. The probability of hitting subsonic targets with an Rb-70 Mk2 missile is 0.7-0.9 on a collision course and 0.4-0.5 on a catch-up course. In the early 2000s, a new Bolide SAM was created on the basis of the Rb-70 Mk0, Mk1 and Mk2 missiles. Thanks to the use of a new composition of jet fuel, the maximum flight speed of the Bolide missile defense system reaches 680 m / s. The maximum launch range is 8000 meters, the altitude reach is 5000 meters. In 2011, Saab Bofors Dynamics announced the start of deliveries to the Swedish armed forces of a new version of the air defense system - the RBS 70 NG. The upgraded version received an improved aiming and vision system, capable of detecting targets at night, and the time for folding and deploying was also reduced.
On the basis of the RBS-70 air defense missile system, the RBS-90 mobile anti-aircraft system was developed on the chassis of the BV 206s articulated amphibious tracked carrier. The RBS-90 crew - four people: the driver, the commander (he also duplicates the radar operator), the missile guidance operator and the PS-91 detection radar operator. The equipment of the combat vehicle includes: a power generator, communication equipment, a PS-91 detection radar, television and thermal imaging equipment for target tracking, remote launchers and missiles in the TPK. At the combat position, data on the coordinates of the target is transmitted via cable to a paired remote-controlled launcher, which is placed on a tripod. It also houses the equipment for guiding the rocket along the laser beam. When changing position, the PU is folded and placed inside the tractor. The deployment time of the complex is about 8 minutes.
Twin PU SAM RBS-90
The three-coordinate pulse-Doppler radar for target detection PS-91, installed on a combat vehicle, has a detection range of hovering helicopters up to 10 km, aircraft up to 20 km. Station PS-91 provides simultaneous automatic tracking of 8 targets and has a built-in friend-or-foe identification system.
Elements of the UR Rb-70 were used to create a new short-range air defense system RBS-23 BAMSE. The development of this complex has been carried out since the beginning of the 90s. The goal of the program was to create a complex with an interception zone close to the medium-range air defense system, while significantly reducing the total cost of the complex. It is designed to engage air targets at ranges up to 15 km, at altitudes from several tens to 15,000 meters.
Radar Giraffe AMB-3D
The anti-aircraft complex consists of a battery control center with a three-coordinate target detection radar, and three towed MCLV (Missile Control and Launch Vehicles) launchers, which can be equipped with a BAMSE or RBS-70 anti-aircraft missile at the customer's choice. SAM BAMSE have almost double the launch range. Survey three-coordinate monopulse radar type Giraffe AMB-3D with a phased antenna array is capable of detecting targets at a distance of up to 100 km. The radar antenna with the help of a mast device extends to a height of 12 m, which makes it possible to place the battery control center in a shelter and in the folds of the terrain.
The towed MCLV launcher is capable of conducting combat operations autonomously, which increases the survivability of the complex. The deployment time of the installation is about 10 minutes, the recharge time is 3 minutes. On the mast device, which can rise to a height of 8 meters, there are: a guidance radar antenna, a thermal imager and an interrogator of the "friend or foe" identification system. Rocket guidance to the target is carried out by radio commands. The launcher has 6 missiles ready for use.
According to its data, the RBS-23 BAMSE complex is a typical military air defense system. But at the same time, in terms of its concept, it is closer to the facility air defense complexes. Uncertainty with the purpose of the complex and budgetary restrictions led to the fact that in significant quantities the RBS-23 BAMSE air defense system was never built.
At the moment, the needs of the military air defense of the Swedish army are fully satisfied by the RBS-70 and RBS-90 near-zone air defense systems. In addition, in the 80s and 90s, several hundred RBS-70 air defense systems were installed on the Lvrbv 701 and MT-LB chassis. Installation based on MT-LB under the designation Lvrbpbv 4016 was used until 2012. Then 300 cars were sold to Finland. Lightly armored tracked tractors came to Sweden from the Federal Republic of Germany, whose authorities in the 90s actively sold the legacy of the GDR army.
Over the past decade, Sweden has drifted more and more towards NATO. The hysteria about "Russian" submarines and flights of our aircraft in international airspace is not abating in the country. All this supposedly threatens the security of Sweden, and therefore the purchase of new air defense systems is vital.
In March 2013, the Agency for Material Support of the Swedish Armed Forces announced the signing of a contract with the German company Diehl Defense worth $ 41.9 million for the supply of new short-range anti-aircraft missile systems IRIS-T SLS. The number of supplied complexes is kept secret, and the deliveries themselves are to be made in 2016.
SAM IRIS-T SLS is designed in accordance with the requirements of the Swedish Armed Forces. The complex includes a vertical launch launcher, a target designation system and a fire control system. IRIS-T air combat missiles have been adapted for use in the air defense missile system. A vertically launched rocket at the final stage of the trajectory is guided by an infrared homing head (IR seeker). In the initial section, the trajectory is corrected using the radio commands of the Giraffe AMB all-round radar. This station provides the ability to detect targets at a distance of more than 100 kilometers and an altitude of more than 20 kilometers, while simultaneously tracking up to 150 targets. The range of destruction of air targets of the IRIS-T SLS air defense system is 20,000 meters.
According to the commander of the US armed forces in Europe, Fredrik Ben Hodges, Sweden, in the event of a threat to its security, can receive the weapons it currently lacks to protect its airspace. In this case, the MIM-104 Patriot long-range air defense system was meant. According to Defense News, announced in June 2016, Sweden and France are negotiating the purchase of Aster-30 anti-aircraft systems. This was reported to the military publication by a high-ranking French official at the Paris exhibition of arms and military equipment Eurosatory. Aster-30 missile launch range reaches 120 km, height - 20 km. In addition to air targets, the complex is capable of combating operational-tactical ballistic missiles.
Sweden is also considering a NASAMS anti-aircraft missile system. This was announced by Kurre Lone, vice president of the Norwegian concern Kongsberg Gruppen, which developed this air defense system together with the American company Raytheon. Apparently, we are not talking about the acquisition of one or two batteries of long-range anti-aircraft systems, but about the creation of a centralized layered multi-level system based on the latest ACS, radar and AWACS aircraft, which, in addition to fighter-interceptors, will include air defense systems of small, medium and large range.
