Anti-aircraft missile system. Anti-aircraft missile system "Igla". Anti-aircraft missile system "Osa"

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

The need to create specialized anti-aircraft missile systems was ripe during the Second World War, but scientists and gunsmiths from different countries began to approach the issue in detail only in the 50s. The fact is that until then there simply were no means of controlling interceptor missiles.

Thus, the famous V-1 and V-2, which bombarded London, in fact, were huge and unguided blanks with explosives. The quality of their guidance was so poor that the Germans could hardly aim them at large cities. Naturally, there was no talk of any controlled interception of enemy missiles or aircraft.

Given the growing tension in relations with the United States, in 1953 our country began to intensively develop the first anti-aircraft missile system. The situation was complicated by the fact that there was no real combat experience in the use of such systems at all. Saved the situation Vietnam, wheresoldiers of the people's army, led by Soviet instructors, collected a lot of data, many of which predetermined the development of all rocket technology of the Union and the Russian Federation for many years to come.

How it all began

It should be noted that at that time the USSR was already undergoing field tests of the S-25 anti-missile installation, which was intended to create a reliable shield over all the cities of the country. Work on the new complex was started for the simple reason that the S-25 turned out to be extremely expensive and low mobile, which was in no way suitable for protecting military formations from a potential enemy missile attack.

It was quite logical to set such a direction of work in which the new anti-aircraft missile system would be mobile. For the sake of this, it was possible to slightly sacrifice efficiency and caliber. The work was entrusted to the working team of KB-1.

In order to design a special rocket for the newly created complex, a separate Design Bureau-2 was formed inside the enterprise, the leadership of which was entrusted to the talented designer P. D. Grushin. It should be noted that when designing the air defense system, scientists widely used the developments of the S-25 that did not go into the series.

First anti-aircraft missile

The new rocket, which immediately received the new index V-750 (product 1D), was created according to the classical scheme: it was launched using a standard powder engine, and it was driven to the target by a liquid propulsion engine. However, due to the numerous problems associated with the complexity of operating liquid propulsion systems in anti-aircraft missiles, in all subsequentschemes (including modern ones) used exclusively solid fuel installations.

Flight tests were started back in 1955, but ended only a year later. Since just in those years there was a sharp increase in the activity of US reconnaissance aircraft near our borders, it was decided to speed up all work on the complex several times. In August 1957, the anti-aircraft missile system was sent for field tests, where it showed its best side. Already in December, the S-75 was put into service.

Main characteristics of the complex

The rocket launcher itself and its controls were placed on the chassis of ZIS-151 or ZIL-157 vehicles. The decision to choose the chassis was made based on the reliability of this technique, its unpretentiousness and maintainability.

In the 70s, a program was launched to modernize existing systems in service. Thus, the maximum speed of targets hit was increased to 3600 km / h. In addition, from now on, missiles could shoot down targets flying at a height of only one hundred meters. All subsequent years, the S-75 anti-aircraft missile system was continuously modernized.

Combat experience was first obtained in Vietnam, when soldiers trained by Soviet instructors shot down 14 American aircraft in the very first days of using the complex, spending only 18 missiles on it. In total, during the conflict, the Vietnamese managed to hit about 200 enemy aircraft. One of the pilots who was captured was the notorious John McCain.

In our countrythis “old man” complex was used until the 90s, but it is still used in many Middle East conflicts to this day.

SAM "Wasp"

Despite the active development of the S-75 complex at that time, in the early 50s of the last century in the USSR there were already several models of theoretically mobile anti-aircraft missile systems. "Theoretically" - due to the fact that their characteristics could only be considered sufficient for more or less autonomous basing and rapid deployment.

And therefore, almost in the same years when the creation of the S-75 began, intensive work was going on in parallel to create a conceptually new and compact complex capable of providing reliable air cover for regular military formations, including those performing combat missions on enemy territory.

The Wasp was the result of these works. This air defense system turned out to be so successful that it is still used in many countries of the world to this day.

Development history

The decision to develop a new weapon system of this class was made on February 9, 1959 in the form of a special resolution of the Central Committee of the CPSU.

In 1960, the complex received the official names of the Osa and Osa-M air defense systems. They were supposed to be equipped with a unified missile designed to destroy relatively low-flying targets, the speed of which was about 500 m/s.

The main requirement for the new complex was its possibly greater autonomy. This led to the location of all its parts on one chassis, and many engineers and designersagreed that it should have been caterpillar, with the ability to swim through water obstacles and wetlands.

The very first tests showed that it is quite possible to create such an installation. It was assumed that the composition would include an autonomous control system, missiles, which would be enough to hit at least three targets, backup power supplies, and so on. Difficulties were added by the fact that the car had to fit into the An-12 transporter, moreover, with full ammunition and a crew of three. The probability of hitting each target was to be at least 60%. It was assumed that the developer will be NII-20 SCRE.

Difficulties will not scare us…

Designers immediately ran into a lot of problems. Worst of all were those engineers who were directly responsible for the development of the missile: the maximum specified mass of the projectile was small (due to the extremely stringent requirements for the size of the complex), and it was necessary to “push” it into it a lot. What was the cost of only the control system and sustainer solid propellant engines!

Material incentives

With a self-propelled unit, everything was also quite difficult. Shortly after the start of development, it turned out that its mass significantly exceeds the maximum allowable indicators that were originally included in the project. Because of this, they decided to abandon the heavy machine gun, and also switch to an engine of 180 l / s, instead of the powerful 220 l / s unit that was initially laid down.

It is not surprising that among the developers turnedreal battles for almost every gram! So, for the saved 200 grams of mass, a bonus of 200 rubles was awarded, and for 100 grams - 100 rubles. The developers even had to gather old school furniture makers from all possible places, who were engaged in the manufacture of miniature models from wood.

The price of each such "toy" was the cost of a huge polished solid wood cabinet, but there was no other choice. In general, almost all anti-aircraft missile systems in Russia (as well as the Union) were distinguished by a long and thorny development process. But the output turned out to be unique samples of weapons, and even old copies are still quite relevant today.

Besides, I had to re-cast the blanks for the case several times, as magnesium alloys and aluminum shrink differently.

Only in 1971, 11 years after the start of development, the Osa anti-aircraft missile system was put into service. It proved to be so effective that the Israelis, in countless conflicts with the Arabs, had to use a lot of jammers to protect their aircraft. These measures were not particularly effective, and even interfered with their own pilots. "Wasp" is in service to this day.

Compact to the masses

SAMs are good for everyone: they have a short deployment time, they allow you to confidently hit enemy combat aircraft and missiles. Only shortly after the adoption of the famous S-75 into service, the designers met with a new problem: what was a simple soldier to do in battle when hiswas the position "processed" by combat helicopters or attack aircraft?

Of course, with some degree of success it was possible to try to shoot down a helicopter with an RPG, but such a trick would clearly not work with aircraft. And then the engineers began to develop a portable anti-aircraft missile system. Like many domestic developments, this project turned out to be surprisingly successful and effective.

How the Needle was created

Initially, the Strela complex was adopted by the SA, but its characteristics did not inspire the military too much. Thus, the warhead of the rocket did not pose a serious danger to well-armed attack aircraft, and the probability of triggering by heat traps was unacceptably high.

Already at the beginning of 1971, a resolution of the Central Committee of the CPSU was issued, which ordered the creation of a portable anti-aircraft missile system, completely devoid of the shortcomings of its predecessor, as soon as possible. For the development, employees of the Kolomna Design Bureau of Mechanical Engineering, the LOMO enterprise, the Research Institute of Measuring Instruments and the Central Design Bureau of Mechanical Engineering were involved.

Per aspera ad astra

The new complex, which immediately received the symbol "Needle", was planned to be created from scratch, completely abandoning direct borrowing from the design of its predecessor, relying only on the experience of its use. Of course, with such stringent requirements, it turned out to be very, very difficult to make the Igla anti-aircraft missile system. So, the first tests were planned back in 1973, but in fact they were carried out only in 1980year.

It was based on the 9M39 missile already developed by that time, the highlight of which was a significantly improved target homing system. She was practically not subject to interference, and being extremely sensitive to the characteristics of the target. This was largely due to the fact that the photodetector of the head part was cooled to a temperature of -196 degrees Celsius (with liquid nitrogen capsule) before launch.

Some specifications

The sensitivity of the pointing receiver is in the range of 3.5-5 microns, which corresponds to the density of exhaust gases from aircraft turbines. The missile also has a second receiver, which is not cooled by liquid nitrogen and is therefore used to detect heat traps. With the help of this approach, it was possible to get rid of the most serious drawback that characterized the predecessor of this complex. Because of this, the Igla portable anti-aircraft missile system has received the widest recognition in the armies of many countries of the world.

To increase the probability of hitting the target, the engineers also equipped the missile with an additional course turn system. To do this, additional ones were made in the steering compartment to accommodate secondary sustainer engines.

Other characteristics of the rocket

The length of the new rocket was a little over one and a half meters, and its diameter was 72 mm. The weight of the product was only 10.6 kg. The name of the complex was due to the fact that there is a kind of needle on the head of the rocket. Contrary to the assumptions of incompetent "specialists", this is not a receiver for aiming at a target, but a splitterair.

The fact is that the projectile moves at supersonic speeds, so such splitters are necessary to improve handling. Considering that this portable anti-aircraft missile system, the photo of which is in the article, is also designed to destroy modern enemy combat aircraft, this design detail is extremely important.

The layout of this rocket for a long time predetermined the design of all similar systems of domestic production. The GOS system was located in the head part, and after that came the steering compartment, which was also filled with control equipment. Only then did the warhead and the solid-propellant engine go. Folding stabilizers are located on the side of the rocket.

The total weight of the explosive was 1.17 kg. Unlike its descendants, the Igla anti-aircraft missile system used a more powerful explosive. The maximum speed that the solid fuel engine gave out was 600 m / s. The maximum target pursuit range is 5.2 km. The probability of defeat - 0, 63.

Currently, the Verba, an anti-aircraft missile system, which is the successor of the ideas embodied in its ancestor, is entering service.

Our armor is strong

Despite the deplorable state of our defense industry in the mid-90s, many Central Bank specialists understood the urgent need to create a fundamentally new air defense system that would meet the trends of the times. Many "strategists" then believed that the backlog of Soviet technology would be enough for anotherdecades, but the events in Yugoslavia have shown that the old systems, although they cope with their task (knocking down the "invisibility"), but for this it is necessary to provide very well-trained calculations of specialists whose potential the old technology is not able to reveal.

And therefore, already in 1995, the Pantsir anti-aircraft missile system was demonstrated to the public. Like many domestic developments in this area, it is based on the chassis of KAMAZ or Ural. It can confidently hit targets at a distance of up to 12 kilometers at an altitude of up to 8 kilometers.

The missile warhead has a mass of 20 kilograms. To destroy UAVs and low-flying enemy helicopters in the event of exhaustion of the stock of missiles, it is proposed to use twin automatic 30 mm guns. The unique highlight of the "Pantsir" is that its automation can simultaneously aim and launch up to three missiles, simultaneously repelling an enemy attack from automatic cannons.

In fact, until the ammunition is completely depleted, the vehicle creates a really impenetrable zone around itself, which is extremely difficult to break through.

More missiles, more targets

Immediately after the creation of the Wasp, the military thought about the fact that it would be nice to have a complex on a tracked chassis, but with a larger mass and better armor. Of course, at about the same time, Strela was being developed on the Tunguska chassis. This anti-aircraft missile system was very good, but had a number of drawbacks. In particular, the military would like to receive a missilewith a larger mass of the warhead and an explosive with great power. In addition, for the sake of an increased number of simultaneously aimed and launched missiles, it was possible to sacrifice cross-country ability to some extent.

Thus appeared "Thor". An anti-aircraft missile system of this type was already based on a tracked chassis and had a mass of 32 tons, so it was much easier for developers to introduce the best and most proven units into it.

Characteristics of hit targets

At a range of up to 7 km and an altitude of up to 6 km, Thor easily detects an aircraft like the American F-15. All modern UAVs are conducted starting from a distance of about 15 kilometers. The guidance of the missile is semi-automatic, until the critical approach to the target it is guided by the operator from the ground, and then automation comes into play.

By the way, the Buk anti-aircraft missile system, which was put into service around the same years, has almost the same characteristics.

If the ground personnel were destroyed by enemy fire immediately after the launch of the missile, fully automatic aiming and flight correction by the missile's control system is possible. In addition, the fully automatic mode is activated when tracking and shooting multiple targets, which can be up to 48 pieces!

Shortly after being put into service, engineers began to intensively modernize the Thor. The new generation anti-aircraft missile system received a modified transport-loading vehicle, which provided a reduced time for replenishing ammunition. In addition, the updated versionreceived noticeably better guidance tools that allow you to accurately hit enemy equipment even in the presence of strong optical interference.

In addition, a new algorithm has been introduced into the target detection system. It allows you to detect hovering enemy helicopters within a couple of seconds. This makes the Tor-M2U anti-aircraft missile system a real "helicopter killer". A huge advantage of the new model was a completely different control module, which allows you to match attacks with divisional artillery batteries, coordinating attacks on enemy positions. Of course, the effectiveness of the complex in this case increases significantly.

Of course, the characteristics of the S-300PS "Tor" anti-aircraft missile system are still not up to par, well, these weapons were created for several different purposes.