Shtil air defense system: technical description and comparison with analogues

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

Modern domestic weapons in the form of air defense systems "Shtil" is a multi-channel launcher, focused on ship-based, it is equipped with a vertical launch. The system is designed to carry out all-round defense of the ship, as well as repel an enemy air attack, including massive missile strikes. The weapon is also used for all-round defense and retaliatory attacks on massive missile strikes of the enemy. In the future, the complex should replace the existing analogues of the "Hedgehog" and "Hurricane" types. The system was developed by the designers of the Altair Research Institute, presented in 2004 at the Euronaval exhibition. Improved ground analogues are also being developed, we will consider their features and characteristics.

General Description

Shtil air defense system has an original and original design. The main element is a vertical module with a 3S-90E type launcher. If necessary, several modules can be mounted on the ship, each of which includes twelve containers with missiles. Dimensions - 7, 15/1, 75/9, 5 meters, allow you to install it on ships with a minimum internal hull volume of 7,4 m. The complexes are arranged six in two rows. This solution makes it possible to accommodate a large amount of ammunition in a relatively small space.

The "Shtil-1" air defense missile system has dimensions that make it possible to replace the Uragan missile system on domestic destroyers. At the same time, the power and stock of weapons almost doubled. Saving space and increasing the ammunition load is achieved due to the absence of additional mechanisms, such as a beam launcher and parts fixing it.

Features

Shtil-1 air defense system has one more distinguishing feature from the analogue "Hurricane". The missiles in it are located strictly vertically, thanks to which the complex launches shells with a break of no more than two seconds. The next salvo is fired after the first missile leaves the launch point for several tens of meters. A system with beam installation takes much longer to prepare and start up.

The "Shtil" air defense missile system uses a guided missile of the 9-M317-ME type. This is a modernized ammunition of the Buk system. It is a single-stage solid propellant rocket that has the following dimensions:

• Length - 5180 mm.
• Case diameter - 360 mm.
• Starting weight - 580 kg.

The tail of the projectile is equipped with rudders with a span of 82 centimeters. The fragmentation part weighs 62 kilograms. The rocket accelerates at a speed of about 1500 meters per second. The main difference from its predecessor is the launch method. In this regard, several constructive additions were applied. The projectile flies out after the operator's command to a height of about ten meters above the deck of the ship, after which the ammunition is adjusted towards the target under the influence of gas rudders. Then the marching power plant and the guidance system are turned on.

Shtil-1 air defense system: technical description

The complex under consideration includes launch stations with missiles and additional devices. It does not provide its own detection systems, but there is an option to navigate using the ship's radar sections. The electronic equipment consists of a computing unit, a control panel, several transmitters and an illuminated target. Up to twelve targets can be attacked at the same time. The complex can be mounted on any warships, does not require special transformation or redesign.

Shtil air defense system is installed on ships with a displacement of at least 1500 tons. The design of the installation makes it possible to base the complex on floating facilities of various projects. In addition, devices can replace obsolete counterparts. Such features portend a promising future for air defense systems.

Opportunities

The Shtil-1 air defense missile system is equipped with missiles capable of hitting targets at a distance of up to fifty kilometers. In this case, the maximum speed of the intended target can reach more than 800 meters per second. If we compare this system with the Buk, then the presence of basic hardware equipment is noted along with improvedguidance and control systems for the homing system, in which the illumination of the object on which it is planned to strike plays an important role.

Several variants of the warhead were developed, depending on the type of target and the range of its location. For example, the Shtil-M air defense system can hit aircraft at an altitude of about 15,000 meters. For cruise missiles, the indicator decreases by 2-3 times. Also, the range for eliminating flying targets at low altitude is halved from the maximum possible parameter.

Shtil-2 air defense system

The technical description of this combat complex is given below:

• The length/diameter of the rocket is 18.3/1.9 meters.
• Payload - 1.87 cu. m.
• Starting weight - 39.9 t.
• Type of ammunition - R-29RM.
• Launch type - ground or surface.

The Shtil-2 air defense system consists of an aerodynamic fairing, a payload compartment, an adapter, a navigation and control unit, and a skeleton. The aerodynamic fairing is made of a sealed housing, equipped with hatches for mounting radio equipment.

The launch system of the complex includes a launch and technical scheme with devices for auxiliary and main rocket launch. The control unit consists of an automated unit, into whose memory information about the flight task, the distance to the target, and other telemetry information is entered, up to measurements of the launch parameters.

Tests

Shtil-1 air defense system andits terrestrial counterpart in test tests showed the following results:

1. The possibility of launching from one set - at least 10 times a year.
2. Conduct launch of spacecraft with a minimum break of 15 days.
3. Guaranteed communication in standby mode with high readiness for launch.

Flight from the ground version ensures the formation of orbits in a limited space, about 60-77 degrees. When launched from a submarine, the latitude range varies from 0 to 77 degrees. The inclination of the missile depends on the coordinates of the launch point, while maintaining the possibility of using the submarine for its intended purpose.

Polyment-Redut anti-aircraft missile system

The development of the latest system for the Russian fleet is being carried out by NPO Almaz-Antey. Anti-aircraft missiles 9-M96 and 9-M100 are used as ammunition. The development of the air defense system under consideration has been carried out since 2011, however, due to various circumstances, the delivery schedule was delayed.

This was due to the lack of a sufficient number of engineers and designers, most of whom were involved in the development of land analogues of the complex. In this regard, the construction of project 22350 frigates, which provided for the installation of new weapons, was also delayed. Considerable difficulties arose in the creation of the Polyment radar station with a phased antenna array. In combination with the 9-M96 sea launch missile, the complex makes up a full-fledged version of the Poliment-Redut air defense system.

Testing

Summer 2014a volley from the Redut air defense system was hit by an imitation of a cruise missile. The launch was carried out from the board of the corvette "Savvy". This was the first successful test carried out in the B altic Sea. Then, targets imitating the fleet of a conditional enemy were successfully hit.

In the autumn of the same year, the complex was tested to destroy air and surface targets of the alleged enemy. All targets were eliminated. In 2015, the crew of the Soobrazitelny corvette successfully displayed the task of destroying enemy cruise missiles. At the same time, the salvo was carried out in difficult radar conditions.

The high combat capabilities of the Redut air defense system and the Shtil air defense system are largely the merit of the designers of the Almaz-Antey company. They fulfilled the order of the Ministry of Defense, despite all the difficulties. In July 2015, the management of the concern officially announced that the tests of the anti-aircraft systems in question were completed successfully.

Modifications and performance characteristics

The Polyment-Redut series provides two variants of complexes. The first one is designed for Project 22350 (K96-2) frigates, while the second version is expected to be mounted on Type 20380 corvettes (equipped with the Fourke-2 system).

The following are the parameters of the tactical and technical plan:

• The range of destruction of an aerodynamic target is from 1.5 to 60 km.
• Shot height - 0.01-30 km.
• Zone for the elimination of ballistic targets - from 1.5 to 30 km in range, 2-25 km in height.
• Used ammunition - anti-aircraftguided missile 9-M-96E2.

The charge has a starting weight of about 420 kilograms, the average flight speed is 950 meters per second. The type of missile guidance is inertial with a radio correction system. Used combat head - radar, active. Defeat - high-explosive fragmentation type with a mass of the main part of 24 kg.

Interesting facts

In the B altic Sea in 2015, there were two successful launches of 9-M96E missiles from the Soobrazitelny corvette. Subsequently, the Redut system was installed on the frigate Admiral Gorshkov. This ship is now in the Northern Fleet, preparing for joint tests, including the destruction of flight targets. Modernization of the ship at the shipyard in St. Petersburg made it possible to equip the ship with additional radar equipment

As part of the work of the Max-2013 air show, an official briefing was held at which the general head of the Antey-Almaz group said that tests of the new anti-aircraft missile system were interrupted in 2012. The main reason is the fire on the Soobrazitelny corvette. In the same year, after the ship was repaired, tests of the air defense system were resumed. In 2014, testing of the ammunition installed on the Admiral Gorshkov started. Three types of missiles were tested: 9-M96D, 9-M100 and 9-M96D.

In closing

ZRK "Shtil-2" and "Polyment-Redut" have similar parameters. Their main advantage over their predecessors is that they can be launched from surface andground facilities. In addition, design features make it possible to use less usable area while increasing the amount of ammunition. All missiles successfully passed test tests, despite some delays in the release of complexes. The modern weapons under consideration are planned to be used on frigates and other ships, as well as on land bases and submarines. Such functionality is associated with the versatility of the complexes and their wide capabilities, including protection from enemy aircraft and ships.