Relatively recently, a promising short-range anti-aircraft missile system "Sosna" appeared and passed the necessary tests. Self-propelled vehicles of this type are intended for ground forces and are capable of protecting formations from various air threats. Until recently, the general public had only a few photographs and basic information about a promising air defense system. Just the other day, everyone had the opportunity to see the Pine system in action.
A few days ago on one of the video services was published an official commercial for the project "Pine", apparently designed for foreign potential buyers. With the help of voiceover and some infographics, the authors of the video told the audience about the main features of the anti-aircraft complex, its capabilities and prospects. The story about the newest Russian combat vehicle was accompanied by a demonstration of driving performance and shooting. In particular, a target-simulator of a cruise missile, which was attacked by the Sosna air defense missile system, was shown.
General view of the air defense system "Sosna"
The project of a promising anti-aircraft system for the ground forces was developed by JSC "Precision Engineering Design Bureau named after A. E. Nudelman ". The project was based on a proposal made back in the nineties of the last century. In accordance with it, it was necessary to carry out a deep modernization of the existing air defense system "Strela-10", aimed at improving the main characteristics and obtaining new capabilities. This proposal was accepted for implementation, and later a new project was created.
Models of the advanced system have been shown at various exhibitions since the end of the last decade. The full-fledged Sosna complex was first shown to specialists in 2013 during a conference on the development of air defense systems. Subsequently, the necessary tests and refinements were carried out, according to the results of which a decision was made on the further fate of the technology. So, at the beginning of last year it was announced about the imminent start of purchases.
Complex on the landfill
As a further development of the existing complex, the Sosna system is a self-propelled combat vehicle with a full range of detection equipment and missile weapons. It is capable of carrying out air defense of formations on the march and in positions. Provides monitoring of the situation in the near zone with the possibility of the fastest possible attack and destruction of targets of various classes.
The manufacturer declared the possibility of building the Sosna air defense system based on various chassis, the choice of which is the responsibility of the customer. Complexes for the Russian army are proposed to be built on the basis of MT-LB multipurpose armored vehicles. In this case, the combat module with the necessary equipment is mounted in the aft part of the roof, on the pursuit of the corresponding diameter. The use of such a chassis is not associated with serious difficulties, but at the same time it allows you to get some advantages. "Pine" on the basis of MT-LB can operate in the same battle formations with other modern armored vehicles, is able to overcome various obstacles and cross water obstacles by swimming.
Optical-electronic equipment unit
The combat module of the "Pine" complex does not differ in its complex design. Its main element is a large vertical casing mounted on a flat turntable. It has all the necessary means of detection and identification, as well as missile launchers. The design of the module provides circular guidance of weapons and thereby simplifies monitoring the situation with subsequent firing.
In front of the combat module is a light armored casing with rectangular contours, which is necessary to protect the optoelectronic equipment unit. Before the start of combat work, the top cover of the casing is folded back, and the side flaps are spread apart, which allows the use of optical instruments. On the roof of the module is the antenna of the radio command control system for the anti-aircraft missile. The sides of the module are equipped with mounts for two launchers. For preliminary guidance, the units are equipped with drives that are responsible for moving in the vertical plane.
A curious feature of the Sosna air defense system is the refusal to use radar detection equipment. It is proposed to monitor the air situation only with the help of optoelectronic systems. A combined missile control technique is also used, in which optical means play an important role.
Onboard electronics architecture
Observation, tracking and guidance tasks are assigned to the gyro-stabilized block of optical-electronic equipment. It includes a daytime camera and a thermal imager. A separate thermal imaging device is designed to track a rocket in flight. Three laser devices are installed on the unit: two are used as rangefinders, while the third is used as part of a missile control system.
The signal and data from the optoelectronic systems go to the main digital computing device and are displayed on the screen of the operator's console. The operator can observe the entire surrounding space, find targets and take them for escort. The operator is also responsible for launching the rocket. Further processes of aiming the product at the target are carried out automatically without human intervention.
In motion along the polygon
The Sosna air defense missile system uses the 9M340 Sosna-R anti-aircraft missile, developed on the basis of ammunition for existing systems. The rocket is characterized by reduced dimensions and has a combined control system. At the same time, the product simultaneously carries two warheads of different types, which makes it possible to significantly increase the likelihood of hitting a target.
With a maximum body diameter of 130 mm, the Sosna-R rocket has a length of 2.32 m and weighs only 30.6 kg. A rocket with a transport and launch container has a length of 2.4 m with a mass of 42 kg. In flight, the rocket is capable of speeds up to 875 m / s. It provides destruction of air targets at ranges up to 10 km and altitudes up to 5 km. The warhead of the rocket with a total mass of 7.2 kg is divided into an armor-piercing block, which is triggered by a direct hit on the target, and a rod-type fragmentation block. Undermining is carried out using a contact or laser remote fuse.
Preparing to shoot
The ammunition load of the Sosna combat vehicle includes 12 9M340 missiles in transport and launch containers. Six missiles (two rows of three) are placed on each airborne launcher. TPK anti-aircraft missiles are mounted on a large frame with vertical guidance drives connected to a gyroscopic stabilizer. A positive feature of the Sosna air defense missile system was the ability to reload without using a transport-loading vehicle. Relatively light missiles can be fed to the launcher by the crew. It takes about 10 minutes to recharge.
The use of a combined control system based on commands from the ground made it possible to optimize the design of the rocket and obtain the maximum possible combat characteristics. Immediately after the launch, the rocket using the accelerating engine is controlled according to the radio command principle. With the help of commands from automatics coming from the antenna of the combat module, the rocket passes the initial phase of the flight and is displayed on a given trajectory. Further it is "caught" by the laser beam of the guidance system. Automation directs the beam to the calculated meeting point with the target, and the rocket is independently held on it throughout the entire flight. The warhead is detonated independently, at the command of one or another fuse.
Sosna-R missile launch
The developer declared the possibility of intercepting a variety of air targets that threaten troops on the march or in positions. The Sosna-R missile is capable of striking aircraft flying at speeds up to 300 m / s, cruise missiles at speeds up to 250 m / s and helicopters accelerating to 100 m / s. At the same time, the real indicators of the maximum range and altitude change slightly depending on the type and characteristics of the target.
According to the manufacturer, the newest domestic anti-aircraft complex "Sosna" is capable of carrying out air defense of formations or areas, working independently or as part of batteries. Observation of the airspace can be carried out on its own, however, it is possible to obtain third-party target designation from other detection means. The applied complex of optoelectronic equipment ensures all-weather and round-the-clock combat work with sufficient efficiency. Automation is capable of firing and hitting targets both when working in position and in motion.
Target engagement zones
SAM "Sosna" also has a number of other advantages directly related to the main ideas of the project in the field of surveillance equipment. The lack of radar surveillance equipment allows you to covertly monitor the situation and not unmask yourself with radiation. Observation in the optical and thermal ranges also allows you to actually get rid of the restrictions on the minimum altitude for target detection, tracking and attack. The rocket is guided using a laser beam, the receivers for which are located on its tail section. Thus, the complex is insensitive to means of optical or electronic suppression.
At the beginning of last year, it became known that in the foreseeable future, the promising anti-aircraft missile system "Sosna" will enter service and will be put into mass production. The recently published video, obviously targeting a foreign customer, demonstrates the developer's intention to obtain export contracts. Earlier there was information about the possible use of developments on the Sosna air defense system in new projects. So, it was argued that the promising airborne anti-aircraft complex "Ptitselov", intended for the Airborne Forces, will receive precisely the Sosna-type combat module with 9M340 missiles.
Previously, KB of Precision Engineering. A. E. Nudelman published various information about the Pine project. In addition, by now photographs of such a combat vehicle in various situations have become public knowledge. Now everyone has the opportunity to see the new anti-aircraft complex "in dynamics". A video published a few days ago shows how the Sosna air defense system behaves on the tracks of the training grounds, how it fires at air targets and what results such attacks lead to.
