The P-5 submarine cruise missile, created in the second half of the fifties, became the basis for a whole family of missile weapons for various purposes. The result of its modernization was the appearance of the P-6 missile with a homing system intended for arming submarines. At the same time, the P-35 missile with a set of appropriate equipment was created for warships. In the future, the P-35 rocket became the basis for new weapons with increased characteristics and several new complexes. On its basis, coastal missile systems "Redut" and "Utes" were developed.
Even before the completion of work on the original design of the P-35 ship-based cruise missile, it was decided to create on its basis a coastal anti-ship operational-tactical missile system to destroy surface targets at a distance of up to several hundred kilometers from the coast. The decree on the beginning of the creation of such a system was issued on August 16, 1960. By this time, the P-35 rocket had already entered preliminary tests in an incomplete configuration. In addition, the development of a number of auxiliary systems, which were to ensure the combat operation of the ship complex, was almost completed. Thus, there was a real opportunity to a certain extent to simplify and speed up the work on the coastal complex.
The development of a new project was entrusted to OKB-52 under the leadership of V. N. Chelomey, who created all the previous products of the family based on the P-5. In addition, several other organizations were involved in the work, whose task was to develop and supply some components. The coastal complex project received the symbol "Redoubt". The rocket for him was designated as P-35B.
Launcher SPU-35 complex "Redut" in position. Photo Rbase.new-factoria.ru
The main element of the Redoubt complex was to be the P-35B anti-ship missile, created on the basis of the original P-35. The new rocket was supposed to differ from the basic product in the composition of onboard equipment and some other small changes. At the same time, the general scheme and principles of the rocket should have remained the same. The appearance of the product, associated with the specifics of aerodynamics, did not change either.
The P-35D rocket with a total length of about 10 m and a wingspan of 2, 6 m was a further development of the ideas laid down in the P-5/6 projects, and was based on the design of the basic P-35. She had an elongated streamlined fuselage with a pointed head fairing and a flat tail cut to accommodate the nozzle of the main engine. Due to the use of a turbojet engine, the rocket received an air intake with a conical central body, located under the bottom of the fuselage.
Like other products of the family, the P-35B was to be equipped with a swept folding wing. In order to reduce the dimensions of the rocket in the transport position, the wing was divided into a small center section and rotary consoles. In the transport position, the wing consoles were turned down and laid along the sides of the fuselage, due to which the maximum width of the product did not exceed 1.6 m. After leaving the launch container at launch, special automation had to raise the consoles and fix them in a horizontal position.
The rocket was controlled in flight using a set of rudders in the tail of the fuselage. There were all-turning stabilizers, elevators, and the rocket had to maneuver along the course with the help of the rudder on the keel. The latter was located under the fuselage, next to it it was planned to mount a double starting solid fuel engine.
Rocket P-35 on a transport trolley. Photo Warships.ru
The weight parameters of the missile for the coastal complex remained at the level of the basic ship product. The dry weight of the rocket was 2.33 tons, the launch weight was 5.3 tons, including the 800-kilogram drop-off starting engine. The design of the rocket made it possible to carry a warhead weighing up to 1000 kg. To defeat targets, it was proposed to use a high-explosive or nuclear warhead. The power of the latter, according to some sources, reached 350 kt.
The power plant of the P-35B rocket was borrowed from the base product without changes. For the start and exit from the launch container, followed by acceleration and ascent to a low altitude, a solid propellant booster was proposed, consisting of two blocks with a thrust of 18, 3 tons, interconnected by a common frame. After running out of fuel, after 2 seconds of operation, the starting engine had to shoot back. Further flight was proposed to be carried out using a KR7-300 turbojet engine with a thrust of 2180 kg. This product replaced the KRD-26 engine used on the previous missiles of the family.
According to available data, the P-35B missile guidance system was a revised version of the P-35 base equipment. It was decided to abandon the possibility of controlling the missile during flight to the target area, completely entrusting this work to the inertial system. At the same time, the active radar homing head was retained with the ability to work as a sighting device. She was supposed to be responsible for finding a target and further aiming at it. It is noteworthy that the determination of the target and the beginning of its attack were still the task of the operator of the complex.
Scheme of combat operation of the Redut complexes and P-35 ship missiles. Figure Rbase.new-factoria.ru
For the transportation and launch of P-35B missiles, a special SPU-35 launcher was developed, built on the basis of a serial wheeled chassis. The four-axle special chassis ZIL-135K was taken as the basis for this vehicle. Subsequently, the production of this car was transferred to the Bryansk Automobile Plant, which is why it received a new designation BAZ-135MB. The chassis was equipped with a 360 hp engine. and could carry a load weighing about 10 tons. There was the possibility of moving along the highway at a speed of up to 40 km / h with a power reserve of up to 500 km. The launcher, like other means of the missile system, being built on a high cross-country chassis, had the ability to move on roads and over rough terrain.
On the rear cargo platform of the base chassis, it was proposed to mount the container installation systems for the rocket. A launch container with a length of more than 10 m with an internal diameter of about 1.65 m was hinged at the rear of the chassis and could swing in a vertical plane using hydraulic drives. Inside the container, rails were provided for fastening and launching a rocket, as well as a set of connectors for the interaction of electronic systems of the installation and weapons. The container was equipped with two movable lids. Before launch, they had to go up and fit on special platforms on the roof of the container.
To interact with a self-propelled launcher, a transport-loading vehicle was developed with the ability to transport one P-35B missile. If necessary, the TZM crew had to load a new missile into the container of the SPU-35 launcher, after which it could attack the target again.
Complex "Redoubt" on the march. Photo Arms-expo.ru
Another element of the Redut anti-ship operational-tactical complex was to be a command vehicle. A radar station for tracking the water area and searching for targets, as well as a 4P45 "Skala" control system, were installed on a vehicle chassis. A similar command post was supposed to track targets and control the launch of a rocket. In addition, the task of the operator "Rocks" was the definition and identification of targets, as well as their distribution between missiles and the issuance of data to launchers.
The following organizational structure of the connections was proposed. The battery of the "Redut" complex included eight launchers and transport-charging vehicles, as well as a control point and various support equipment. Batteries were to be combined into battalions, battalions into brigades. At the brigade level, it was proposed to use additional radar tools that monitor the situation and issue initial target designation to battery systems.
According to the principles of operation, the Redoubt complex with the P-35B missile to a certain extent resembled ship or underwater systems with similar missiles, but had some differences. Arriving at the indicated position, the calculation of the complex was supposed to be deployed. It took about an hour and a half to prepare all the means of the complex for combat work. After that, the complex could conduct combat work and attack enemy ships.
The control vehicle with the "Skala" system and its own radar was supposed to monitor the situation in the covered area. Its task was to search for enemy surface ships posing a danger. It also provided for the possibility of obtaining target designation from other detection means, including from aircraft or helicopters. When a target was detected, it was followed with a determination of nationality and danger. After deciding on the attack, the battery management machine was supposed to transmit data to the launchers and give the command to fire.
Rocket launch. Photo Warships.ru
In preparation for launching the rocket, the launcher was supposed to occupy the indicated position and raise the container to a starting elevation angle of 20 °. After lifting, the covers were opened, which ensured the unhindered exit of the rocket and the release of gases from the starting engine. On command from the control vehicle, the rocket had to turn on the starting engine and leave the container, receiving the initial impulse, picking up speed and climbing to the required height.
In accordance with the introduced flight task, the P-35B rocket was supposed to independently enter the target area, using the existing inertial navigation system and radio altimeter. Depending on the calculated route, the rocket could fly at an altitude of 400, 4000 or 7000 m. After reaching the specified target area, the rocket had to turn on an active radar seeker and "inspect" the water area. The data from the radar system should have been transmitted to the control machine, the operator of which was able to study the situation and select a target. After that, the GOS captured the specified target and independently pointed a rocket at it. The last section of the flight took place at an altitude of 100 m, which made it possible to reduce the likelihood of detection and interception. The missile's capabilities made it possible to destroy targets at ranges of up to 270 km. The high-explosive warhead ensured the defeat of single targets, and the special one could be used to destroy group targets.
The project of the Redut coastal missile complex with the P-35B missile was developed by mid-1963. In the fall, testing of the new system began. The first two test launches were found to be unsuccessful. It was found that the new mid-range turbojet engines are not yet able to fully cope with their work. Also, problems were identified in the operation of electronic systems. Because of this, the test had to be interrupted to carry out the fine-tuning of the complex. The result of the problems in the first tests was a serious delay in work. Complex "Redut" was adopted only in August 1966.
For various reasons, the supply of new systems to the troops and their further development were noticeably delayed. The first unit, armed with Redoubts, began full service only in 1972. According to reports, the Baltic Fleet coastal missile forces were the first to receive these complexes. By the beginning of the winter of 1972, the 10th separate coastal missile regiment, armed with systems of the previous types, was transformed into the 1216th separate coastal missile division and equipped with Redoubt complexes. In the fall of 1974, the division was reformed again, now it became the 844th separate coastal missile regiment (OBRP).
Shooting from a different angle. Photo Armedman.ru
Subsequently, the rearmament of the missile units of the coastal forces of other fleets began, accompanied by the mass production of the Redut complexes. According to available data, by the end of the eighties, the coastal missile forces and artillery of the USSR Navy had 19 battalions of the Redoubt complex. Most of all such systems (6 battalions) received the Baltic Fleet. The Pacific and Black Sea fleets deployed five battalions each, the Northern one - three. It should be noted that the Northern and Black Sea Fleets included the Utes missile systems, which can be considered a stationary analogue of the Reduta. Each Utes complex had eight launchers for P-35B missiles.
In the course of their service, all units armed with P-35B missiles have repeatedly participated in combat training activities and carried out missile launches against conditional targets. Of particular interest are the tasks performed by a missile regiment from the coastal forces of the Black Sea Fleet. Several times he received an order to move to the territory of friendly Bulgaria and take up firing positions there. Such a redeployment of launchers made it possible to shell a large area, which included sections of the Black, Aegean and Marmara Seas, as well as the Dardanelles.
Initially, the Redut coastal missile systems were intended only for the armed forces of the Soviet Union and no export deliveries were envisaged. Nevertheless, after the appearance of newer systems with improved characteristics, "Redoubts" began to be exported. According to reports, a number of such systems were sold to Vietnam, Syria and Yugoslavia.
In 1974, the modernization of the P-35 rocket started, affecting all complexes with its use. In order to improve the characteristics of the weapon, the development of the 3M44 Progress project began. Such a rocket had to differ from the base P-35 with a new starting engine and a seriously revised control system. The latter was distinguished by increased noise immunity and selectivity of action. To further increase the effectiveness of the rocket, the final low-altitude flight segment was increased.
The operation of the launching accelerators of the rocket. Photo Pressa-tof.livejournal.com
The 3M44 rocket was put into service in 1982. By this time, mass production was launched and the supply of missiles to the troops began. This weapon was intended for use as part of the Redoubt complex, and could also be used by the existing P-35 carrier ships. The appearance of the new missile had a positive effect on the combat effectiveness of all missile systems using it, including the Redoubt coastal system.
Despite the appearance of a number of new coastal missile systems, the Redoubt system is still in service and solves the problem of protecting the coast from enemy ships, complementing newer systems. The operation of such complexes will continue for some time, after which they will probably be removed from service due to moral and physical obsolescence.
The Redut coastal missile system was put into service half a century ago, and all this time it has been protecting the country's maritime borders from an attack by a potential enemy. Like any other new systems, "Redoubt" at the time of its appearance was distinguished by high performance and allowed to solve all the assigned tasks with high efficiency, but over time it became obsolete and gave way to newer and more advanced systems.
The head of the launch crew checks the container after launch. Photo Pressa-tof.livejournal.com
During its appearance and over the next few decades, the Redoubt complex with the P-35B missile, and then with the 3M44, had a number of important advantages. He had the ability to attack targets at ranges of up to 300 km and could deliver a warhead to the target, incapacitating an enemy ship (high-explosive) or a ship formation (special). The combined guidance system with the determination of the target by the operator made it possible to distribute targets between several missiles, including aiming several missiles at one enemy ship. The use of external target designation made it possible to increase the size of the controlled area.
However, there were also disadvantages. Over time, the P-35B rocket ceased to meet some of the requirements. It differed from newer models in too large dimensions, which is why the self-propelled launcher could carry only one missile. Also, due to the large size of the launch container, the self-propelled launcher does not have its own means of target detection and fire control, which is why it needs additional vehicles with similar equipment. In addition, Redoubt takes too long to deploy.
Despite incomplete compliance with the requirements of the time, the Redut coastal missile system is still in service, although it is giving way to newer systems that are distinguished by improved characteristics and greater efficiency. Time will tell whether the new complexes will be able to compete with the Redoubt in terms of service life.
