The role of coastal artillery in military conflicts of past centuries has always been important. It is enough to recall the decisive actions of the young ensign Shchegolev, who managed to repel the attack of the Anglo-French squadron on Odessa in 1854, during the Crimean War. Then a very small battery with its well-aimed fire completed a task beyond the strength of other numerous garrisons.
Today the technique is different, but the threats are the same. The descendants of the valiant defenders of Sevastopol and Odessa are armed with modern batteries.
Coastal missile systems are a relatively new type of weapon. The presence of countries - potential opponents - powerful fleets, in which ships of various classes are widely represented (aircraft carriers, missile cruisers, artillery battleships capable of delivering strikes from distances of tens of kilometers), forcing the Russian defense complex to develop counteraction systems not only maritime, but also ground based.
A fortified position that reliably covers defense lines. In other words, a bastion. The missile system, bearing this name, fully corresponds to this definition, possessing new capabilities. In addition, he can move, and does it quickly.
When stowed, the coastal defense system kit looks like a convoy of vehicles. The command vehicle, on which the launcher is installed, is a heavy four-axle one, in its cabin, in addition to the chief of crew, there is a driver and three crew members. Transport-launch glasses (two of them) are placed on the platform, which in a fighting position rise vertically, resting on the ground with special rods. The driving characteristics of the Astrologer MZKT-7930 allow you to move at a speed of 80 km / h, overcome impassability and move 1000 km from the starting point.
The launcher is the main element of the Bastion system. The missile system must be managed and provided with stable communication with the central command post. The container mounted on the KamAZ-43101 chassis contains a set of radio equipment and computer equipment, which together represent a combat control system. Calculation - four people.
There is another car that is part of the convoy that makes up the Bastion's coastal mobile battery. The missile system, having shot the ammunition located in the transport-launch cups, can be recharged. To perform this operation, a crane and additional rockets are needed. All this is in the third car of the caravan, transport-loading.
In the case of a hypothetical threat from the sea, after a corresponding order, the “Bastion” begins to operate. The missile system is advanced to the firing position, then the combat deployment is carried out, which takes no more than five minutes. Shooting can be conducted with an interval of 2.5 seconds between launches, after which the whole system is again transferred to the transport state and, in order to avoid being hit by return fire, leaves the area in which it was “lit up”. Ammunition is 36 cruise missiles "Yakhont" or "Onyx".
The horizontal nature of the action involves the use of helicopters as additional means of target designation. The defeat range reaches 300 km.
The technical condition of the projectile is controlled by a convenient panel of connectors on the outer surface of the shipping container.
The unpretentiousness of equipment, ease of maintenance, high reliability was noted by experts who visited international exhibitions at which the Bastion was presented. The coastal missile complex has interested delegations of countries interested in a high level of security, especially from the sea.