The creation of an air defense system intended to replace the C-75 air defense system began in the mid-60s at the initiative of the country's air defense command and KB-1 of the Ministry of Radio Industry. Initially, it was planned to develop a unified S-500U anti-aircraft air defense system for air defense, ground forces and the fleet, but in the future, taking into account the individual characteristics of each type of troops, it was decided to develop, according to a single TTT, the most unified anti-aircraft and anti-missile air defense system S-300, intended for the army (variant S-300V, lead developer - NII-20), the Navy (S-300F, VNII Altair) and air defense troops (S-300P, NPO Almaz under the leadership of academician Boris Bunkin).
However, at that time it was not possible to achieve a deep interspecific unification of systems, the creation of which was carried out in various teams under very contradictory requirements. So, in the S-300P and S-300V systems, only 50% of the functional detection radar devices were unified.
The anti-aircraft missile forces were to receive a new medium-range air defense system S-300P, intended for the defense of administrative and industrial facilities, stationary command posts, headquarters and military bases from attacks by strategic and tactical aviation, as well as the CD.
The principal features of the new air defense system were to be high mobility and the ability to simultaneously fire at several targets, provided by a multifunctional radar with a phased array with digital control of the beam position. (None of the foreign air defense systems that existed by that time had the properties of multichannel. The domestic multichannel complex S-25, as well as the Dal air defense missile system that was never adopted for service, were made in stationary versions.) The basis of the system was the 5V55 type missiles. The rocket was thrown out of the TPK tube using a gas catapult to a height of 20 m, while its control aerodynamic surfaces were opened. The gas rudders, at the commands of the autopilot, turned the rocket to a given course, and after turning on the sustainer single-stage engine, it rushed to the target.
Tests of elements of the S-300P air defense system, developed under the leadership of the General Designer of NPO Almaz, B. V. Bunkin, were carried out at the Sary-Shagan training ground (Kazakhstan) since the mid-70s.
In 1978, the first version of the S-300PT transported complex (NATO code designation SA-10A Grumble) was adopted for service. The S-300PT battery consisted of three 5P85 launchers (4 TPKs each), a radar cabin for illumination and guidance of the RPN (F1) and a control cabin (F2).
In 1980, the developers of the S-300PT system were awarded the State Prize. The release of the S-300PT air defense system continued until the early 80s. In the mid-80s, the complex underwent a number of upgrades, receiving the designation S-300PT-1. In 1982, a new version of the S-300P air defense system was adopted by the air defense forces - the S-300PS self-propelled system (NATO code designation SA-10B Grumble), developed at NPO Almaz under the leadership of chief designer Alexander Lemansky.
The creation of this complex was due to the analysis of the experience of the combat use of missiles in Vietnam and the Middle East, where the survival of the air defense systems was greatly facilitated by their mobility, the ability to get out of the blow "in front of the very nose" of the enemy and quickly prepare for battle in a new position. The new complex had a record-breaking short deployment time - 5 minutes, making it difficult to invade enemy aircraft.
It included an improved 5V55R missile, which was guided according to the principle of "target tracking through a missile" and 5V55KD missiles with a firing range increased to 90 km.
Guidance and fire control machine 5N63S
The S-300PS division includes 3 air defense missile systems, each of which consists of three self-propelled launchers on the MAZ-543M chassis and one 5N63S vehicle, consisting of combined F1S RPN cockpits and F2K combat control on one MAZ-543M chassis.
Launchers are divided into one main 5P85S with a F3S launch preparation and control cabin and a 5S18 autonomous power supply system, and two additional 5P85D equipped with only one 5S19 autonomous power supply system.
The battery can simultaneously fire on 6 targets, two missiles each, to ensure a high hit rate.
New technical means introduced into the S-300PT-1 and S-300PS air defense systems have significantly expanded their combat capabilities. To exchange telemetry information with the air defense command post located at a distance of more than 20 km from the battalion, the Sosna antenna-mast device on the ZiL-131N chassis was used. In the case of autonomous conduct of combat operations, air defense systems in isolation from the command post can be assigned to the S-300PS division with an all-altitude three-coordinate radar 36D6 or 16Zh6.
three-dimensional radar 36D6
In 1989, an export version of the S-300PS-S-300PMU system appears (NATO code designation - SA-10C Grumble). In addition to minor changes in the composition of the equipment, the export version also differs in that PUs are offered only in the version transported on semi-trailers (5P85T). For operational maintenance, the S-300PMU system can be equipped with a mobile repair station PRB-300U.
A further development of the complex was the S-300PM air defense system and its export version - the S-300PMU-1 (NATO code designation - SA-10D Grumble).
The development of an improved version of the complex began in 1985.
For the first time, the S-300PMU-1 was shown at the Mosaeroshow-92 air show in Zhukovsky, and a year later its capabilities were demonstrated during demonstration firing during the IDEX-93 international arms exhibition (Abu Dhabi, UAE). In 1993, the S-300PM complex was put into service.
[center] Air defense system characteristics
S-300PT S-300PS S-300PM S-300PMU-2
(S-300PMU) (S-300PMU-1)
Year of adoption
1978 1982 1993 1997
Type SAM 5V55K 5V55K / 5V55R (48N6) 48N6 (48N6E) 48N6E2
RPN survey sector (in azimuth), deg.
60. 90. 90. 90.
The boundaries of the affected area, km:
distant (aerodynamic target)
47.47/75. (90). up to 150
near
5. 5/5. 3-5. 3.
Target hitting altitude, km:
minimum (aerodynamic target)
0, 025. 0, 025/0, 025. 0, 01. 0, 01.
- minimal (ballistic target)
- - 0, 006 n / a
- maximum (aerodynamic target)
25. 27. 27. 27.
- maximum (ballistic target)
- - (n / a) 25 n / a
Maximum speed of missiles, m / s
up to 2000 up to 2000 up to 2100 up to 2100
Target speed, m / s
1300 1300 1800 1800
- when firing at target designation
- - up to 2800 up to 2800
Number of tracked targets up to 12
The number of targets fired
up to 6 up to 6 up to 6 up to 36
Number of simultaneously guided missiles
up to 12 up to 12 up to 12 up to 72
Rate of fire, sec
5 3-5 3 3
Deployment / folding time, min.
up to 90 up to 90 5/5 5/5
Deep modernization was aimed at increasing the automation of combat operations, the ability to defeat modern ballistic missiles at speeds of 2800 m / s, increasing the range of radars, replacing the element base and computers, improving the computer software and missiles, and reducing the number of units of basic equipment.
An important advantage of the S-300PM air defense system is the high adaptability of its means to long-term combat duty.
The S-300PM is capable of intercepting and destroying the most modern combat aircraft, strategic cruise missiles, tactical and operational-tactical ballistic missiles and other air attack weapons with almost 100% probability in the entire range of their combat use, including when exposed to intense active and passive interference …
RPN 30N6
The S-300PM battery includes RPN 30N6 (30N6E), up to 12 PU 5P85S / 5P85 (5P85SE / 5P85TE) with four 48N6 (48N6E) missiles on each, as well as means of transportation, maintenance and storage of missiles, including the 82C6 vehicle (82Ts6E). To detect low-altitude targets, the battery can be equipped with HBO 76N6, which has a high degree of protection against reflections of the earth's surface.
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low-altitude detector NVO 76N6
Up to six S-300PM batteries (air defense battalion) are coordinated by the 83M6 (83M6E) command and control facility, consisting of 54K6 (54K6E) PBUs and 64H6 (64N6E) targets at medium and high altitudes.
RLO 64H6
The fully automatic RLO 64H6 provides the command post of the system with information on aerodynamic targets for circular and ballistic targets in a given sector, located at ranges of up to 300 km and flying at speeds up to 2, 78 km / s.
PBU 54K6 receives and summarizes information about the air situation from various sources, manages firepower, receives control commands and information about the air situation from the command post of the air defense zone, assesses the degree of danger, makes target allocation to air defense systems, issues target designations for targets intended for destruction, and also provides the stability of the combat operation of the air defense missile system in the conditions of electronic and fire countermeasures.
The battery is capable of conducting combat operations autonomously. Multifunctional RPN 30N6 provides search, detection, automatic tracking of targets, carries out all operations related to preparation and firing. At the same time, the battery can fire up to 6 targets of various types, each of which can be fired by a single launch or a salvo of two missiles. The rate of fire is 3 s.
In 1995-1997, after tests at the Kapustin Yar test site, another modernization of the system was carried out, which was named S-300PMU-2 "Favorite" (NATO code designation - SA-10E Grumble). Russia showed it for the first time at the MAKS-97 exhibition, and demonstration shooting abroad for the first time took place in Abu Dhabi at the IDEX-99 exhibition.
Rocket 48N6E and its scheme:
1. Radio direction finder (sight) 2. Autopilot 3. Radio fuse 4. Radio control equipment 5. Power source 6. Safety-executive mechanism 7. Warhead 8. Engine 9. Aerodynamic rudder - aileron 10. Steering drive 11. Device for opening the rudder-aileron 12. Gas rudder-aileron
The S-300PMU-2 "Favorite" air defense system is designed for highly effective protection of the most important objects of the state and the armed forces from massive strikes of modern and advanced aircraft, strategic cruise missiles, tactical and operational-tactical missiles and other air attack weapons in the entire range of altitudes and speeds of their combat applications, including in difficult REB conditions.
Compared to the S-300PMU-1 in the new system:
• the effectiveness of hitting ballistic targets with the 48N6E2 missile has been increased, while ensuring the initiation (detonation) of the target's warhead;
• increased efficiency of the system for aerodynamic targets, including stealth targets at extremely low altitudes, in a complex tactical and jamming environment;
• the far border of the zone of destruction of aerodynamic targets has been increased to 200 km, including when shooting in pursuit;
• the information characteristics of the command system of the 83M6E2 control systems for the detection and tracking of ballistic targets while maintaining the sector for detecting aerodynamic targets have been expanded;
• the ability of PBU 54K6E2 to work with the S-300PMU-2, S-300PMU-1, S-300PMU and S-200VE systems (presumably S-200DE) in any combination has been expanded;
• improved performance of the system in the conduct of autonomous combat operations through the use of a new generation of autonomous target designation - radar 96L6E;
• ensured the integration of the S-300PMU-2 "Favorite" air defense system into various air defense systems, including those operating in accordance with NATO standards;
• the possibility of using the S-300PMU-1 system along with the 48N6E2 missiles was realized.
Shooting at ground targets confirmed that each missile equipped with a warhead with 36,000 "ready" fragments can hit unprotected enemy personnel and unarmored targets over an area of more than 120,000 square meters. m.
According to foreign sources, by the time of the collapse on the territory of the USSR, there were about 3,000 launchers of various variants of the S-Z00 air defense system. Currently, various modifications of the S-300 air defense system, in addition to the Russian army, are available in Ukraine, the Republic of Belarus, and Kazakhstan.
Satellite image of Google Earth: Russian air defense system S-300P, Nakhodka, Primorsky Krai
In order to “save money”, the Russian leadership decided to replace the S-300P air defense systems with all existing air defense systems of other types. In the minds of the Russian man in the street, the S-300P is a "miracle weapon" capable of solving all the tasks of covering the country's territory and destroying all enemy air targets.
However, in the media, it is practically not mentioned that most of the complexes released during the Soviet era have practically exhausted their resource, the newest of them entered service with the Russian army in 1994, the element base is outdated, and new missiles are produced for them in insufficient quantities.
The widely advertised S-400 air defense systems, so far, are entering the troops, in single copies, 2 anti-aircraft missile battalions have been put on combat duty in 4 years.
Satellite image of Google Earth: positions of the S-400 air defense system Zhukovsky, Russia
Another problem of the "four hundred" is the lack of knowledge of its arsenal. So far, out of all the diverse (theoretically) set, the S-400 has only a modified version of the serial rocket from the 300 48N6 - 48N6DM, capable of hitting targets at a distance of 250 kilometers. Neither the 9M96 medium-range "pencils" nor the 40N6 "heavy missile" with a 400-km range have yet entered the series.
The situation is aggravated by the fact that, thanks to the de facto betrayal of our leadership, the elements of the S-300P air defense missile systems were delivered for "familiarization" in the United States. That made it possible for our "partners" to get acquainted in detail with the characteristics and develop countermeasures. From the same "opera" delivery of S-300P to about. Cyprus, as a result, Greece, which is a NATO member country, gained access to them.
However, due to opposition from Turkey, they were never deployed in Cyprus, the Greeks relocated them to about. Crete.
Satellite image of Google Earth: C-300P on the island of Crete
Under pressure from the United States and especially Israel, our leadership tore up the concluded contract for the supply of S-300 to Iran. That, undoubtedly, dealt a blow to the reputation of the Russian Federation as a reliable business partner and threatens with large billions of dollars in losses in the event of payment of the forfeit.
Export deliveries of the S-300 were also carried out to Vietnam and China. Recently, information was received about the supply of S-300P air defense systems to Syria, which of course can significantly complicate the actions of the US and Israeli aviation and lead to significant losses.
Satellite image of Google Earth: the position of the C-300P in Qingdao, China
In China, limited to the purchase of a small number, the S-300P air defense system was successfully copied, and created its own version under the designation HQ-9 (HongQi-9 from the whale. Red Banner - 9, export designation FD-2000).
HQ-9 was created by the China Academy of Defense Technology. The development of its early prototypes began in the 80s of the last century and continued with varying success until the mid-90s. In 1993, China purchased from Russia a small batch of S-300 PMU-1 air defense systems. A number of design features and technical solutions of this complex were largely borrowed by Chinese engineers during the further design of the HQ-9.
In the late 1990s, the People's Liberation Army of China (PLA) adopted the HQ-9 air defense system into service. At the same time, work on improving the complex was continued using the available information on the American Patriot complex and the Russian S-300 PMU-2.
The latter in 2003, the PRC purchased in the amount of 16 divisions. Currently in
development is the HQ-9A air defense system, which should be more effective, especially in the field of missile defense. It is planned to achieve significant improvement primarily by improving the electronic filling and software.
The inclined firing range of the complex is from 6 to 200 km, the flight altitude of the targets being hit is from 500 to 30,000 meters. According to the manufacturer, the air defense missile system is able to intercept guided missiles within a radius of 1 to 18 km, cruise missiles within a radius of 7 to 15 km. and tactical ballistic missiles within a 7 to 25 km radius. (in a number of sources 30 km). The time to bring the complex into combat condition from the march is 6 minutes, the reaction time is 12-15 seconds.
The first information about the export versions of the air defense system appeared in 1998. The complex is currently being actively promoted on the international market under the name FD-2000. In 2008, he took part in a Turkish tender for the purchase of 12 long-range air defense missile systems. According to a number of experts, the FD-2000 can be a significant competitor to the Russian export versions of the S-300P system.
With the help of the technologies used in the S-300P air defense system, a new Chinese medium-range air defense system HQ-16 has been created.
The HQ-16A is equipped with six hot-launch missiles. The complex can be used to create an air defense system at medium and high altitudes in conjunction with the HQ-9 complex, which, judging by the television footage, receive information from the same radar with phased array. In order to increase the capabilities of the complex to intercept low-flying targets, a special radar can be installed to detect targets in the "blind zone".
The firing range of the HQ-16 is 25 km, the HQ-16A - 30 km.
The launcher of the HQ-16 air defense system is outwardly very similar to the long-range air defense systems of the S-300P and HQ-9 types, which may very likely mean that Chinese designers hope to introduce a modular design in the HQ-9 and HQ-16 complexes in the future.
Thus, China is actively developing its air defense systems, and if our country does not take concrete steps, it has every chance of reducing the gap in this area in the future.
