The first anti-aircraft missile systems S-25, S-75, Nike-Ajax and Nike-Hercules, developed in the USSR and the USA, successfully solved the main task set during their creation - to ensure the defeat of high-speed high-altitude targets inaccessible to the cannon anti-aircraft artillery and difficult to intercept by fighter aircraft. At the same time, such a high efficiency of the use of new weapons was achieved under test conditions that the customers had a well-founded desire to ensure the possibility of their use in the entire range of speeds and altitudes at which the aviation of a potential enemy could operate. Meanwhile, the minimum height of the affected areas of the S-25 and S-75 complexes was 1-3 km, which corresponded to the tactical and technical requirements formed in the early fifties. The results of the analysis of the possible course of the upcoming military operations indicated that as the defense was saturated with these anti-aircraft missile systems, strike aircraft could switch to operations at low altitudes (which subsequently happened).
In our country, the beginning of work on the first low-altitude air defense system should be attributed to the fall of 1955, when, based on the emerging trends in the expansion of requirements for missile weapons, the head of KB-1 A. A. Raspletin set before his employees the task of creating a transportable complex with increased capabilities to defeat low-altitude air targets and organized a laboratory for its solution headed by Yu. N. Figurovsky.
The new anti-aircraft missile system was designed to intercept targets flying at speeds of up to 1500 km / h at altitudes from 100 to 5000 m, at a range of up to 12 km, and was created taking into account the mobility of all its components - anti-aircraft missile and technical divisions, given to them by technical means, means of radar reconnaissance, control and communication.
All elements of the system being developed were designed either on an automobile basis, or with the provision of the possibility of transportation as trailers using tractor vehicles on the road, as well as by rail, air and sea transport.
When forming the technical appearance of the new system, the experience of developing previously created systems was widely used. To determine the position of the target aircraft and the missile, a difference method with linear scanning of the airspace was used, similar to that implemented in the C-25 and C-75 complexes.
With regard to the detection and tracking of low-altitude targets, a special problem was created by the reflections of the radar signal from local objects. At the same time, in the S-75 complex, the channel of the antenna scanning in the elevation plane was exposed to the greatest influence of interference, at the moment when the probe signal beam approached the underlying surface.
Therefore, in the missile guidance station of the low-altitude complex, an inclined arrangement of antennas was adopted, in which the reflected signal from the underlying surface increased gradually during the scanning process. This made it possible to reduce the illumination of the screens of the target tracking operators by reflections from local objects, and the use of one internal scanner, for each revolution of which was performed alternately scanning the space with antennas in two planes, made it possible to ensure the operation of the radar with one m transmitting device. The transmission of commands to the missile was carried out through a special antenna with a wide radiation pattern using a coded impulse line. The request for on-board missile responders was carried out through a system similar to that adopted in the S-75 complex.
On the other hand, to implement a narrow radiation pattern of the missile guidance station when scanning space using a mechanical scanner and the permissible dimensions of its antennas, a transition was made to a higher frequency range with a wavelength of 3 cm, which required the use of new electric vacuum devices.
In view of the short range of the complex and, as a consequence, the short flight time of enemy aircraft, an automated missile launch system (APP-125 automated launch device) was originally incorporated into the CHR-125 missile guidance station, designed to determine the boundaries of the air defense missile system's engagement zone, and to solve the launch problem and determining the coordinates of the meeting point of the target and the missile. When the calculated meeting point entered the affected area, the APP-125 was supposed to automatically launch the rocket.
To speed up the work and reduce their cost, the experience of developing the S-75 air defense system was widely used. An important role in the completion of the work and the adoption of the S-125 air defense system for the armament of the country's Air Defense Forces was played by the B-600 anti-aircraft guided missile (SAM), which was originally created for the M-1 "Volna" 10 (now MNIRE "Altair").
Tests of the B-625 SAM, specially created for the S-125, turned out to be unsuccessful and it was decided to modify the B-600 (4K90) missile for the S-125 ground-based air defense system. On its basis, a missile defense system was created, which differed from the prototype in the radio control and sighting unit (UR-20) for compatibility with ground-based missile guidance systems.
After successful tests by Decree No. 735-338, this missile, indexed V-600P (5V24), was added to the S-125 air defense missile system.
The V-600P rocket was the first Soviet solid-propellant missile, made according to the aerodynamic "duck" scheme, which provided it with high maneuverability when flying at low altitudes. To defeat the target, the missile defense system is equipped with a high-explosive fragmentation warhead with a radio fuse with a total mass of 60 kg. When it was detonated at the command of a radio fuse or SNR, 3560-3570 fragments with a mass of up to 5.5 g were formed, the radius of expansion of which reached 12.5 m. 26 seconds after the start, in case of a miss, the rocket went up and self-destructed. Missile control in flight and targeting was carried out by radio commands coming from the CHR-125.
In the four compartments of the sustainer stage, in the order of their placement, starting from the head part, there were a radio fuse (5E15 "Strait"), two steering gears, a warhead in the form of a truncated cone with a safety-actuating mechanism and a compartment with onboard equipment of the S-125 air defense system was intended for combat aircraft, helicopters and cruise missiles (CR) operating at speeds of 410-560 m / s at altitudes of 0, 2-10 km and ranges of 6-10 km.
Supersonic targets maneuvering with overloads of up to 4 units were struck at altitudes of 5-7 km, subsonic targets with overloads of up to 9 units. - from altitudes of 1000 m and more with a maximum heading parameter of 7 km and 9 km, respectively.
In passive jamming, targets were hit at altitudes up to 7 km, and the active jammer was at altitudes of 300-6000 m. The probability of hitting a target with one missile defense system was 0.8-0.9 in a simple environment and 0.49-0.88 in passive jamming.
The first anti-aircraft missile regiments equipped with the C-125 were deployed in 1961.
in the Moscow Air Defense District. At the same time, the S-125 anti-aircraft missile and technical divisions, together with the S-75 air defense systems, and later the S-200, were included in the mixed air defense brigades.
The air defense system includes a missile guidance station (SNR-125), an anti-aircraft guided missile (SAM, a transported launcher PU), a transport-loading vehicle (TZM) and an interface cabin.
The SNR-125 missile guidance station is designed to detect low-altitude targets at a range of up to 110 km, identify their nationality, track and then aim one or two missiles at them, as well as to monitor the results of firing. To solve these problems, the CHP is equipped with a receiving-transmitting and receiving system operating in a centimeter (3-3, 75 cm)
range of waves.
In order to reduce reflections from the earth's surface, they are equipped with antennas of a special configuration, at 45 degrees. deployed with respect to the horizon, providing the formation of radiation patterns in two mutually perpendicular planes to receive echo signals from the target and signals from missile transponders.
Missile guidance station facilities
Depending on the presence of interference, the SNR-125 can use radar or television-optical channels with a range of up to 25 km to track targets. In the first case, the target can be tracked in automatic (AC), semi-automatic (RS-AC) or manual (RS) modes, in the second - by operators in manual mode. In autonomous operation, the search for targets is carried out by means of a circular (360 deg. In 20 s), small sector (sector 5-7 deg.) Or large sector (20 deg.) Azimuth view. When changing position, the antenna post was transported on an attached 2-PN-6M trailer.
The two-boom transportable PU 5P71 (SM-78A-1), guided in azimuth and elevation by a tracking electric drive, was intended to accommodate two missiles, their preliminary guidance and an inclined launch at the target. After deployment at the starting position (permissible slope of the site up to 2 degrees), the launcher required leveling with screw jacks.
TZM PR-14A (PR-14AM, PR-14B) served to transport 5V24 missiles and load launchers with them. This TZM and its subsequent modifications (PR-14AM, PR-14B) were developed at GSKB on the chassis of the ZiL-157 vehicle. The time for loading the launcher with missiles with TPM did not exceed 2 minutes.
The 5F20 (5F24, 5X56) interface and communication cabin ensured the operation of the CHP in the mode of receiving target designation from the ACS.
For early detection of low-flying targets, the division could be assigned radars of the P-12 meter and P-15 decimeter ranges. To increase the detection range of low-altitude targets, the latter was equipped with an additional antenna-mast device "Unzha". In addition, the radio relay communication equipment 5Ya61 (5Ya62, 5Ya6Z) "Cycloid" could be additionally attached, and for training operators of the SNR and guidance officers, the "Akkord" equipment, attached to the C-75 and C-125 air defense systems, at the rate of one set for four anti-aircraft missile division.
Radar P-12
Radar P-15
All the SAM equipment is located in towed car trailers and semitrailers, which ensured the deployment of the division on a relatively flat area measuring 200x200 m with small closing angles. As a rule, at the prepared position, all SNR-125 weapons were placed in buried reinforced concrete shelters with additional earthen cover, launchers - in semi-circular embankments, missiles - in stationary structures for 8-16 missiles in each or at battalion positions.
The cockpit of the control center of the S-125 "Pechora" air defense missile system
Modifications:
SAM S-125 "Neva-M" - the first version of the modernization of this system. This decision was made already in March 1961, when the S-125 "Neva" was not yet in service. Work on its improvement was to be carried out by the design bureau of plant No. 304 under the general guidance of design bureau-1. Adopted for service on September 27, 1970. The total scope of work included the creation of the V-601P (5V27) missile defense system, the expansion and refinement of the SNR-125 equipment for the new missile, as well as the creation of a new four-boom PU 5P73 to use the V-600P and V-601P missiles, upgraded TZM (PR-14M, PR-14MA) on the chassis of the ZIL-131 or Ural.
The V-601P (5V27) rocket was put into service in May 1964. The main direction of work during its creation was the development of a new radio fuse and a propulsion engine on a fundamentally new fuel with a high specific impulse and increased density. While maintaining the overall dimensions of the missile, this led to an increase in the maximum range and height of the complex's destruction.
The V-600P SAM differed from its counterpart in a new propulsion engine, fuse, a safety-actuating mechanism and a warhead weighing 72 kg, when detonated, up to 4500 fragments weighing 4, 72-4, 79 g were formed. The external difference consisted in two aerodynamic surfaces on the transition connecting compartment to reduce the range of the starting engine after its separation. To expand the affected area, the missile was also guided in the passive section of the trajectory, and the self-destruction time was increased to 49 s. SAM could maneuver with overloads of up to 6 units and operate at temperatures from -400 to +500. The new missile defense system ensured the defeat of targets operating at flight speeds of up to 560 m / s (up to 2000 km / h) at a distance of up to 17 km in the altitude range of 200-14000 m. - up to 13.6 km. Low-altitude (100-200 m) targets and transonic aircraft were destroyed at ranges of up to 10 km and 22 km, respectively.
The transported four-boom PU 5P73 (SM-106) was developed at TsKB-34 (chief designer B. S. Korobov) with a minimum launch angle of missiles of 9 degrees. and had a special rubber-metal multi-section circular coating to prevent soil erosion around it during missile launches. The launcher provided the installation and launch of the V-600 and V-601P missiles, and loading was carried out sequentially by two TPMs from the side of the right or left pair of beams.
The main characteristics of the S-125M air defense system with the 5V27 missile defense system
Year of introduction into service 1970
Target destruction range, km 2, 5-22
Target destruction altitude, km 0, 02-14
Course parameter, km 12
Maximum target speed, m / s 560
The probability of aircraft destruction / KR 0, 4-0, 7/0, 3
Weight of SAM / warhead, kg 980/72
Recharge time, min 1
SAM S-125M1 (S-125M1A) "Neva-M1" was created by further modernization of the S-125M air defense system, carried out in the early 1970s. and was put into service with the 5V27D missile in May 1978. At the same time, a modification of the missile with a special warhead was developed to defeat group targets.
It had increased noise immunity of the missile defense control channels and target sighting, as well as the possibility of tracking and firing it in conditions of visual visibility due to the Karat-2 television-optical sighting equipment (9Sh33A). This greatly facilitated the combat work on jamming aircraft in the conditions of their visual visibility. However, the TOV was ineffective in adverse weather conditions, when directed to the sun or a pulsed light source, and also did not provide a determination of the range to the target, which limited the choice of missile guidance methods and reduced the effectiveness of firing at high-speed targets. In the second half of the 1970s. In the C-125M1, equipment was introduced to ensure firing at the NLC at extremely low altitudes and ground (surface) radio-contrast targets (including missiles with a special warhead). The new modification of the 5V27D rocket had an increased flight speed and made it possible to fire at targets "in pursuit". Due to the increase in length and launch weight up to 980 kg, only three missiles could be placed on any PU 5P73 beams. In the early 1980s. On the SNR-125 of all modifications to counter anti-radar missiles, the "Double" equipment is installed with 1-2 portable radar simulators, which were installed at a distance from the station and worked on radiation in the "blinking" mode.
Having proved its reliability and effectiveness, the S-125 air defense system is still in service with the armies of many countries of the world. According to experts and analysts, about 530 S-125 "Neva" air defense systems of various modifications under the code name "Pechora" were delivered to 35 countries and were used in a number of armed conflicts and local wars. In the "tropical" version, the complex had a special paint and varnish coating to repel termites.
Satellite image of Google Earth: SAM S-125 in the area of the city of Lusaka, Zambia
The baptism of fire of the S-125 air defense missile system took place in 1970 on the Sinai Peninsula. Each division was protected from sudden attacks of low-flying aircraft by 3-4 ZSU-23-4 "Shilka", a detachment of portable anti-aircraft missile systems "Strela-2" and DShK machine guns.
With widespread use of ambush tactics, the first F-4E was shot down on June 30, the second five days later, four Phantoms on July 18, and three more Israeli aircraft on August 3, 1970. Three more Israeli Air Force aircraft were damaged. According to Israeli data, 6 more aircraft were shot down by Arab S-125 air defense systems during the October 1973 war.
Satellite image of Google Earth: SAM S-125 air defense of Egypt, PU of the old two-boom type
Complexes S-125 were used by the Iraqi army in the Iran-Iraq war 1980-1988
years, and in 1991 - when repelling air strikes of multinational forces; in Syria, against the Israelis during the 1982 Lebanese crisis; in Libya - for shooting at US aircraft in the Gulf of Sidra (1986)
Satellite image of Google Earth: S-125 air defense systems of Libya, destroyed in an air strike
In Yugoslavia - against NATO aircraft in 1999. According to the Yugoslav military, it was the C-125 complex that shot down the F-117A on March 27, 1999.
The last recorded case of combat use was noted during the Ethiopian-Eritrean conflict in 1998-2000, when an intruder aircraft was shot down by a missile of this complex.
According to many domestic and foreign experts, the low-altitude air defense missile system "Pechora" is one of the best examples of air defense systems in terms of its reliability. For several decades of their operation until now, a significant part of them have not exhausted their resource and can be in service until the 20-30s. XXI century. Based on the experience of combat use and practical shooting, "Pechora" has high operational reliability and maintainability. Using modern technologies, it is possible to significantly increase its combat capabilities at relatively low costs in comparison with the purchase of new air defense systems with comparable characteristics. Therefore, taking into account the great interest on the part of potential customers, in recent years a number of domestic and foreign options for the modernization of the Pechora air defense system have been proposed.
SAM S-125-2M (K) "Pechora-2M" ("Pechora-2K") is the first practically implemented domestic mobile (container) version of modernization of this well-known anti-aircraft system. It was developed by the Interstate Financial and Industrial Group (IFIG) "Defense Systems" (27 enterprises, including 3 Belarusian ones) without attracting budgetary funds. In the final version, this complex, created on the basis of the latest technologies and modern element base, was presented at the international aviation and space salon MAKS-2003 in the town of Zhukovsky near Moscow in the summer of 2003.
According to the developers, the modernized "Pechora" provides the fight against all types of aerodynamic means of air attack, especially low-altitude and small targets.
The upgraded missile increased the range and effectiveness of hitting targets, and the replacement of the main equipment with digital and solid-state equipment increased the reliability and service life of the complex. At the same time, operating costs were reduced and the composition of the combat crew of the complex was reduced. The installation of the main elements of the air defense missile system on a vehicle chassis, the use of a software-controlled hydraulic antenna drive, modern communications and satellite navigation equipment ensured the mobility of the air defense missile system and significantly reduced the time for its deployment to a combat position. The complex was able to interface with remote radars and higher command post via telecode channels.
Mobile "Pechora-2M" with 5V27DE missiles has an increased range (from 24 to 32 km) and speed (from 700 to 1000 m / s) of targets, an increased number of launchers (from 4 to 8) and target channels (up to 2 at using the second antenna post), as well as a reduced (from 90 to 20-30 minutes) total deployment time of the complex at the position.
In addition, due to a significant increase in the distance between the control cabin, antenna post and launchers, the use of a radio-technical protection complex and a new optoelectronic system, the survivability of the main combat elements of the complex in conditions of its electronic and fire suppression by the enemy was sharply increased. It has become mobile while increasing its operational reliability. The new element base used for the modernization of the SNR provided the detection of air targets with an RCS of 2 sq. m, flying at an altitude of 7 km and 350 m, at a distance of up to 80 km and 40 km, respectively. Equipping the station with a new optoelectronic system (OES) ensured reliable target detection in day and night conditions. OES (optoelectronic module at the antenna post and information processing unit in the control cabin) is used to detect and measure the angular coordinates of air targets day and night. Television and thermal imaging channels allow detecting air targets at ranges of up to 60 km (during the day) and up to 30 km (day and night), respectively.
Mobile PU 5P73-2 SAM S-125 "Pechora-2M" Air Defense of Venezuela
The double-girder PU 5P73-2 is mounted on a modified MZKT-6525 (8021) chassis with a new, specially designed and placed in front of the engine cabin. With a mass of 31.5 tons, it can move at a maximum speed of up to 80 km / h. The calculation of 3 people ensures the transfer of the launcher from the traveling position to the combat one in a time of no more than 30 minutes.
In addition, the modernized "Pechora" is distinguished from the prototype by a high degree of automation of combat work and control of technical condition, simplicity of information exchange with external sources of radar information, between SNR and launchers, reduced scope of routine maintenance, 8-10 times reduced nomenclature of spare parts … At the request of the customer, the equipment of the national system for determining the nationality of the target can be installed on the SNR.
To protect the Pechora-2M / K air defense missile system from the strikes of the Harm-type anti-radar missiles (AGM-88 HARM), guided by the radiation of the antenna post, the radio technical protection complex KRTZ-125-2M was specially developed.
It includes 4-6 transmitting devices OI-125, a control and communication unit OI-125BS, spare parts, an autonomous power source (220V / 50Hz) and a transport vehicle of the Ural-4320 type. The operation of the KRTZ-125-2M is based on the principle of masking the antenna post signals by the signals of a group of transmitting devices, provided that the power of each of them exceeds or is equal to the background radiation power of the antenna post in a given sector of responsibility.
The bursts of pulses emitted by the OI-125 group constantly change their parameters according to
to the given program, putting the GOS PRR away spatial interference along the angular coordinates. With the uniform placement of the OI-125 around the antenna post (in a circle with a diameter of 300 m), missiles are diverted from it at a distance that is safe for it to detonate. It is important that the KRTZ-125-2M can be successfully used in conjunction with any Russian-made air defense systems and air defense systems.
