In this article, we will continue our story about domestic anti-ship missile systems and their foreign counterparts. The conversation will focus on the airborne SCRC. So let's get started.
German Hs293 and domestic "Pike"
The German Henschel missile, Hs293, was taken as the basis for the development of the Pike anti-ship missile. Its tests in 1940 showed that the gliding option was useless, since the rocket lagged behind its carrier. Therefore, the rocket was equipped with a liquid-propellant rocket engine, providing the necessary acceleration in 10 seconds. Approximately 85% of the missile's path flew by inertia, so the Hs293 was often called a "gliding missile bomb", while in Soviet documents the name "jet aircraft torpedo" appeared more often.
By the right of the winner, the USSR received numerous samples of military equipment and relevant documents from Germany. It was originally planned to establish its own release of Hs293. However, the tests of 1948 showed negligible accuracy of hitting missiles with our carriers and the Pechora radio command. Only 3 of the 24 missiles fired hit the target. More talk about the release of Hs293 did not go.
In the same 1948, the development of the RAMT-1400 "Pike" or, as it was also called, "jet aircraft naval torpedo" began.
Hs293 was distinguished by poor maneuverability, in order to avoid this, spoilers were installed on the Pike on the trailing edges of the wing and empennage, they worked in relay mode, making continuous oscillations, control was carried out with different time deviations from the main position. It was planned to place a radar sight in the front part. The radar image was broadcast to the carrier aircraft, in accordance with the resulting image, the crew member develops control commands, transmitting them to the rocket via the radio channel. This guidance system was supposed to provide high accuracy regardless of the weather and launch range. The warhead remained unchanged, completely taken from the Hs293, the conical warhead allows you to hit ships in the underwater part of the side.
It was decided to develop two versions of the torpedo - "Shchuka-A" with a radio command system and "Shchuka-B" with a radar sight.
In the fall of 1951, the missile was tested with the KRU-Shchuka radio equipment, after several failures, operability was achieved. In 1952, launches from the Tu-2 took place, the first fifteen launches showed that the probability of hitting a target from an altitude of 2000-5000 m at a distance of 12-30 km is 0.65, about ¼ of the hits fell on the underwater part of the side. The results are not bad, however, the Tu-2 was removed from service.
The missile was changed for use with the Il-28. With 14 launches from the Il-28 at a distance of up to 30 km, the probability of hitting the target dropped to 0.51, while the defeat of the underwater part of the side occurred in only one of five hits. In 1954, "Shchuka-A" entered serial production, 12 Il-28 aircraft were re-equipped to be equipped with these missiles.
The variant of the Shchuka-B rocket was more reminiscent of the original project, in the bow, behind the fairing, there was guidance equipment, and under it was a warhead. It was necessary to additionally refine the seeker and rocket engine, the hull was shortened by 0.7 m. The launch range was 30 km. In tests that took place in the spring and summer of 1955, none of the six missiles reached the target. At the end of the year, three successful launches were made, however, work with the aircraft "Pike" was stopped, and the production of the Il-28 was curtailed. In February 1956, the Shchuka-A was no longer accepted for service, and the development of the Shchuka-B was stopped.
CS-1 "Kometa" and the Tu-16KS complex
The decree on the creation of the Kometa anti-ship missile aircraft with a range of up to 100 km was issued in September 1947. For the development of missiles, Special Bureau No. 1 was created. For the first time, such a large amount of research and testing was planned.
The tests of the "Comet" took place from mid-1952 to the beginning of 1953, the results were excellent, in some parameters they even exceeded the specified ones. In 1953, the rocket system was put into service, and its creators received the Stalin Prize.
Continued work on the Kometa system led to the creation of the Tu-16KS aircraft missile system. The Tu-16 was equipped with the same guidance equipment that was used on the Tu-4, which was equipped with missiles earlier, the BD-187 beam holders and the missile fuel system were placed on the wing, and the missile guidance operator's cabin was placed in the cargo compartment. The range of the Tu-16KS, equipped with two missiles, was 3135-3560 km. The flight altitude was increased to 7000 m, and the speed to 370-420 km / h. At a distance of 140-180 km, the RSL detected the target, the rocket was launched when 70-90 km remained to the target, later the launch range was increased to 130 km. The complex was tested in 1954, and it entered service in 1955. As of the end of the 1950s, 90 Tu-16KS complexes were in service with five mine-torpedo aviation regiments. Subsequent improvements made it possible to launch two missiles from one carrier at once, and then the guidance of three missiles was worked out simultaneously with a launch interval of 15-20 seconds.
High-altitude launches led to the fact that the plane came out of the attack close to the target, risking being hit by air defense. A low-altitude launch increased surprise and a hidden exit to the attack. The probability of hitting the target was quite high; when launched from an altitude of 2000 m, it was equal to 2/3.
In 1961, the complex was supplemented with anti-jamming equipment blocks, which increased the protection against electronic warfare equipment, and also reduced the sensitivity to interference caused by the radar stations of their aircraft. Good results were obtained as a result of tests of a group attack of missile carriers.
The successful Kometa missile system was in service until the end of the 1960s. The Tu-16KS did not participate in real hostilities; later, some of them were sold to Indonesia and the UAR.
KSR-5 cruise missile in the K-26 complex and its modifications
A later development of an air-launched cruise missile was the KSR-5 as part of the K-26 complex. Western name - AS-6 "Kingfish". Its purpose is to defeat surface ships and ground targets such as bridges, dams or power plants. In 1962, the decree on the creation of KSR-5 missiles equipped with the Vzlyot control system set a launch range of 180-240 km, at a flight speed of 3200 km / h and an altitude of 22500 m.
The first stage of testing (1964-66) was found unsatisfactory, low accuracy was associated with the shortcomings of the control system. Tests after the completion of the modifications with the Tu-16K-26 and Tu-16K-10-26 aircraft were carried out until the end of November 1968. The launch speed at launch was 400-850 km / h, and the flight altitude was 500-11000 m. The launch range was significantly influenced by the flight mode under the operating conditions of the radar and seeker of the rocket. At maximum altitude, target acquisition took place at a distance of 300 km, and at an altitude of 500 m - no higher than 40 km. Experiments continued until the spring of next year, as a result of which the K-26 and K-10-26 aircraft missile systems were put into service on November 12.
The new modernized version of the KSR-5M missile, on the basis of which the K-26M complex was created, is designed to combat small-sized complex targets. The K-26N complex, equipped with KSR-5N missiles, has better accuracy characteristics and operates at low altitudes, it required the modernization of the search and targeting system. A panoramic radar of the Berkut system with an enlarged fairing from the Il-38 aircraft was installed on 14 aircraft.
In 1973, they began to use the Rubin-1M radar, which is characterized by a longer detection range and better resolution with an antenna system of a significant size; accordingly, the gain became larger, and the width of the directional pattern decreased by one and a half times. The target detection range at sea reached 450 km, and the size of the new equipment required the radar to be moved to the cargo bay. The nose of the vehicles became smooth, since it no longer had the same radar. Weight was reduced due to the abandonment of the bow cannon, and tank # 3 had to be removed to accommodate the equipment blocks.
In 1964, it was decided to start developing the K-26P complex with KSR-5P missiles, which were equipped with a passive seeker. The search for targets was carried out using the aircraft radar reconnaissance and target designation station "Ritsa" in combination with electronic reconnaissance equipment. After successful state tests, the K-26P complex was adopted by the naval aviation in 1973. The complex was capable of hitting radio-emitting targets with the help of single or twin missiles in one approach, as well as attacking two different targets - lying along the flight path and located in the range of 7.5 ° from the axis of the aircraft. The K-26P was modernized after the appearance of the KSR-5M, the K-26PM was distinguished by the use of improved target designation equipment for the missile heads.
KSR-5 and its modifications entered serial production. Tu-16A and Tu-16K-16 bombers were converted into its carriers. The missile range exceeded the capabilities of the carrier's radar, so the missile potential was not fully utilized, therefore, the Rubin radar with an antenna from the Berkut began to be installed on the carriers, thus, the target detection range increased to 400 km.
The Tu-16K10-26, which had two KSR-5s under the wing on beam holders in addition to the standard K-10S / SNB missile, became the most powerful aircraft anti-ship complex in the 1970s.
In the future, attempts were made to install the K-26 complex on 3M and Tu-95M aircraft. However, the work was stopped, since the issue of extending the life of the aircraft was not resolved.
Today the combat KSR-5, KSR-5N and KSR-P have been removed from service. Until the beginning of the 1980s, the K-26 missiles were practically indestructible by the available at that time and promising air defense systems.
Modern domestic anti-ship missile systems
Rocket 3M54E, "Alpha" was presented to the public in 1993 at the arms exhibition in Abu Dhabi and at the first MAKS in Zhukovsky, a decade after the start of development. The rocket was originally created as a universal one. A whole family of "Caliber" guided missiles (export name - "Club") has been developed. Some of them are intended for placement on strike aircraft. The basis was the strategic cruise missile "Granat", which is used by nuclear submarines of project 971, 945, 667 AT and others.
Aviation version of the complex - "Caliber-A" is intended for use in almost any weather conditions, at any time of the day to destroy sedentary or stationary coastal targets and sea ships. There are three modifications of the ZM-54AE - a three-stage cruise missile with a detachable supersonic combat stage, the 3M-54AE-1 - a two-stage subsonic cruise missile, and the ZM-14AE - a subsonic cruise missile used to destroy ground targets.
Most of the missile assemblies are unified. Unlike sea and land-based missiles, aircraft missiles are not equipped with starting solid-propellant engines, the main engines remained the same - modified turbojet engines. The onboard missile control complex is based on the AB-40E autonomous inertial navigation system. Anti-jamming active radar seeker is responsible for guidance in the final section. The control complex also includes a radio altimeter of the RVE-B type, ZM-14AE is additionally equipped with a receiver for signals from a space navigation system. The warheads of all missiles are high-explosive, both with contact VUs and non-contact ones.
The use of the 3M-54AE and 3M-54AE-1 missiles is designed to engage surface group and single targets under electronic countermeasures in virtually any weather conditions. The flight of missiles is pre-programmed in accordance with the position of the target and the availability of air defense systems. The missiles can approach the target from a given direction, bypassing the islands and air defense, and are also capable of overcoming the enemy air defense system due to low altitudes and autonomy of guidance in the "silence" mode in the main flight phase.
For the ZM54E rocket, an active radar seeker ARGS-54E was created, which has a high degree of protection against interference and is capable of operating at sea waves up to 5-6 points, the maximum range is 60 km, weight is 40 kg, length is 70 cm.
The aviation version of the ZM-54AE missile did without a launch stage, the march stage is responsible for the flight in the main section, and the combat stage is responsible for overcoming the air defense system of the target object at supersonic speed.
The two-stage ZM-54AE is smaller in size and weight than the ZM-54AE, the greater effectiveness of the defeat is associated with a warhead of greater mass. The advantage of the ZM-54E is supersonic speed and extremely low flight altitude in the last section (the combat stage is separated by 20 km and attacks at a speed of 700-1000 m / s at an altitude of 10-20 m).
High-precision cruise missiles ZM-14AE are designed to engage ground command posts, weapons depots, fuel depots, ports and airfields. The RVE-B altimeter provides stealth flight over land, allowing you to accurately maintain altitude in the terrain enveloping mode. In addition, the rocket is equipped with a satellite navigation system such as GLONASS or GPS, as well as an active radar seeker ARGS-14E.
It is reported that such missiles will be armed with aircraft carriers going for export. Most likely, we are talking about the Su-35, MiG-35 and Su-27KUB planes. In 2006, it was announced that the new Su-35BM attack aircraft for export would be armed with long-range Caliber-A missiles.
Foreign analogues of domestic SCRC
Among foreign aircraft-based missiles, one can note the American "Maverick" AGM-65F - a modification of the tactical missile "Maverick" AGM-65A of the "air-to-surface" class. The missile is equipped with a thermal imaging homing head and is used against naval targets. Its seeker is optimally tuned to defeat the most vulnerable spots of ships. The missile is launched from a distance of over 9 km to the target. These missiles are used to arm the A-7E (decommissioned) and F / A-18 aircraft of the Navy.
All versions of the rocket are characterized by the same aerodynamic configuration and the TX-481 dual-mode solid propellant engine. The high-explosive fragmentation warhead is housed in a massive steel case and weighs 135 kg. Explosive detonation is carried out after the rocket, due to its large weight, penetrates the ship's hull, the deceleration time depends on the chosen target.
American experts believe that the ideal conditions for the use of the "Maverick" AGM-65F are daytime, visibility is at least 20 km, while the sun should illuminate the target and mask the attacking aircraft.
The Chinese "Attacking Eagle", as the C-802 missile is also called, is an improved version of the YJ-81 (C-801A) anti-ship missile, also designed for aircraft armament. The C-802 uses a turbojet engine, so the flight range has increased to 120 km, which is twice that of the prototype. The rocket variants equipped with the GLONASS / GPS satellite navigation subsystem are also offered. The C-802 was first demonstrated in 1989. These missiles are armed with FB-7 supersonic bombers, Q-5 fighter-bombers and advanced multi-role fighters of the 4th generation J-10, which are being developed by the Chinese companies Chengdu and Shenyang.
Missiles with an armor-piercing high-explosive warhead provide the probability of hitting a target of 0.75 even under the condition of enhanced enemy opposition. Due to the low flight altitude, the jamming complex and the small RCS of the missile, its interception is complicated.
Already on the basis of the C-802, a new YJ-83 anti-ship missile was created with a longer flight range (up to 200 km), a new control system and supersonic speed in the final flight phase.
Iran planned large purchases of this type of missile from China, but the supplies were only partially realized, since China was forced to refuse supplies under US pressure. The missiles are now in service in countries such as Algeria, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Iran, Pakistan, Thailand and Myanmar.
The Exocet anti-ship missile system was developed jointly by France, Germany and Great Britain with the aim of destroying surface ships at any time of the day, in any weather conditions, in the presence of intense interference and enemy fire resistance. Officially, development began in 1968, and the first tests of a prototype in 1973.
All missile variants have been modernized many times. The aircraft missile "Exocet" AM-39 is smaller than its shipborne counterparts and is equipped with an anti-icing system. The manufacture of the main engine from steel made it possible to reduce the dimensions, as well as to use more efficient fuel, respectively, increasing the firing range to 50 km when launched from an altitude of 300 m and 70 km when launched from an altitude of 10,000 m. At the same time, the minimum launch altitude is only 50 m.
The advantages of the Exocet anti-ship missile system are confirmed by the fact that its various variants are in service in more than 18 countries around the world.
The third generation of Gabriel missiles was created in Israel in 1985 - this is the ship version of the MkZ and the aviation version of the MkZ A / S. The missiles are equipped with an active radar seeker, protected from interference with rapid frequency restructuring, which is capable of operating in a homing mode to the ship's station of active interference, this greatly reduces the effectiveness of the enemy's air defense.
The anti-ship missile "Gabriel" MKZ A / S is used by the A-4 "Sky Hawk", C2 "Kfir", F-4 "Fantom" and "Sea Scan" aircraft. low altitudes should be 400-650 km / h, at high altitudes - 650-750 km / h. The missile launch range is 80 km.
The rocket can be controlled in one of two modes. Autonomous mode is used when the carrier is an attack aircraft (fighter-bomber). The mode with correction of the inertial navigation system is used when the carrier is a base patrol aircraft, the radar of which can track several targets at the same time.
Experts believe that the autonomous control mode increases the vulnerability to electronic warfare, since the active GOS is active searches in a vast sector. Correction of the inertial system is made to reduce this risk. Then the carrier aircraft accompanies the target after the launch of the rocket, correcting its flight along the radio command line.
In 1986, Great Britain completed the development of the Sea Eagle, an aviation anti-ship all-weather medium-range missile, designed to engage surface targets at a range of up to 110 km. In the same year, the missiles entered service to replace the Martel missiles, which were used by Bukanir, Sea Harrier-Frs Mk51, Tornado-GR1, Jaguar-IM, Nimrod aircraft, as well as Sea King-Mk248 helicopters.
To date, the Sea Eagle anti-ship missiles are used in the UK, India and in a number of other countries.
The main engine is a small-sized single-shaft turbojet Microturbo TRI 60-1, which is equipped with a three-stage compressor and an annular combustion chamber.
On the cruising section, the missile is guided to the target by an inertial system, and in the final section - by an active radar seeker, which detects targets with an RCS of more than 100 m2 at a distance of about 30 km.
The warhead is filled with RDX-TNT explosives. Punching through the light armor of the ship, the rocket explodes, resulting in a powerful shock wave that demolishes the bulkheads of the nearest compartments of the affected ship.
The minimum altitude required to launch a rocket is 30 m. The maximum altitude depends entirely on the carrier.
Submarine anti-ship missile systems? Read on.
