"Tunguska". When you go to this combat vehicle immediately after inspecting the "Shilka", you inevitably imbued with respect and understanding that the work was done. At least for feeding "Shilka" with steroids. Much more massive, at first glance. And on the second too.
The story of the appearance of this miracle is simple: the ever-increasing speed of aircraft and helicopters is to blame.
Yes, in the material on Shilka there was a certain amount of absolutely unfounded criticism on this score, but alas, the speeds of helicopters in the 60s and 70s of the last century really approached the speeds of aircraft of the Second World War, and this is a fact. Approaching, but not leveling, if that.
So, let's move on. The combat use of the ZSU-23-4 "Shilka" in the mass of wars and conflicts showed that the complex can effectively fight not only low-flying air targets, but also a ground enemy.
At the same time, the Shilka's shortcomings were revealed: a small effective target engagement zone and a low damaging effect of ammunition.
As a result, something in the "higher, further, more powerful" style was required. And so it turned out, in fact, "Tunguska".
They decided to strengthen the artillery component by increasing the caliber of automatic cannons to 30 mm. Here the experience of using the ZSU-57-2 has already affected, the operation of which has shown that with an increase in the caliber of the projectiles, the rate of fire will suffer in the first place.
The Tunguska complex was intended to defend units of tank and motorized rifle troops from attacks by army and tactical aviation, fire support helicopters, and UAVs. The complex could also be used to destroy lightly armored ground targets and enemy manpower.
The air defense complex "Tunguska-M" includes a combat vehicle - 2S6, a loading vehicle, an automated control and test station, as well as means of maintenance and repair.
The GM-352 tracked chassis from the Tor air defense missile system was chosen as a self-propelled base for the new complex. This chassis has an adjustable ground clearance and provides a maximum road speed of up to 65 km / h. Thanks to the hydropneumatic suspension and hydromechanical transmission "Tunguska" has excellent maneuverability, cross-country ability and smooth running.
One cannot but boast that the Tunguska air defense missile system became the world's first multipurpose dual-use anti-aircraft complex. And for a long time (more than 8 years) it existed in the rank of the one and only.
The main weapon of the complex is the 9M311 missile. The missile is equipped with a fragmentation-rod warhead and contact and non-contact (radio) fuses.
The 9M311 has a very high maneuverability, which allows it to destroy small high-speed targets (missiles and UAVs). Guidance of anti-aircraft missiles at a target is a radio command.
The missile is delivered to the troops in a special transport and launch container in an equipped condition and does not require any maintenance for 10 years. The missile ammunition is replenished using a transport-loading vehicle, but since the TPK container weighs only 55 kg, if necessary, the crew can easily reload in the field manually.
The artillery armament of the complex consists of two 30-mm anti-aircraft automatic cannons 2A38M, working in conjunction with the FCS. The total rate of fire of the system reaches 5000 rounds per minute.
By the mid-1990s, the Tunguska air defense missile system was modernized, and the new complex was designated Tunguska-M. The main change was the introduction into the complex of new radio stations and a receiver for communication with the battery command post "Ranzhir" and the command post of PPRU-1M. In addition, the gas turbine engine was replaced on the machine, the new engine received a 2 times increased service life: from 300 to 600 hours.
The performance characteristics of the Tunguska-M1 air defense missile system:
The zone of destruction of targets by missiles / guns:
- at a distance of 2, 5-10 / 0, 2-4 km
- in height 0, 015-3, 5 / 0-3 km
The maximum speed of targets hit is up to 500 m / s.
The reaction time of the complex is up to 10 s.
Ammunition, SAM / shells - 8/1904
The rate of fire of the 2A38M cannons is up to 5000 rds / min.
The muzzle velocity is 960 m / s.
SAM weight / with container - 42/55 kg.
Warhead weight - 9 kg.
Vertical angle of fire from cannons: -10 - +87 degrees
The mass of the air defense missile system in a combat position is 34 tons.
The deployment time of the complex is up to 5 minutes.
The maximum road speed is up to 65 km / h.
The Tunguska complexes received their baptism of fire in the Chechen wars, where they were used not as a means of air defense, but as a means of fire support according to the Afghan scenario. Fortunately, the conditions were similar.
Inside "Tunguska" is very different from its predecessor "Shilka". The equipment has become smaller, so there is more space for the crew.
The Tunguska has been in service with our (and not only) army since 1982, which does not in the least translate it into the category of outdated military equipment. Modernizations are taking place systematically, and today the Tunguska is far from the same machine as in 1982. Yes, she didn’t have as many hostilities as Shilke did. But this is not so bad, I guess.
