The need to create specialized anti-aircraft missile systems matured in the years of World War II, 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.
So, the famous FAU-1 and FAU-2, which fired at London, in fact, were huge and uncontrollable blanks with explosives. The quality of their guidance was so poor that the Germans could hardly target them in large cities. Naturally, there was no question of any controlled interception of missiles or enemy aircraft.
Given the growing tension in relations with the United States, in 1953, the first anti-aircraft missile system was intensively developed in our country. The situation was complicated by the fact that there was no real combat experience in using such systems at all. Vietnam saved the situation, where the fighters of the people's army, led by Soviet instructors, collected a lot of data, many of which predetermined the development of all the missile 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 in the USSR field tests of the S-25 missile defense system, which was intended to create a reliable shield over all cities of the country, were already undergoing. Work on the new complex was started for the simple reason that the S-25 turned out to be extremely expensive and limited in mobility, which was in no way suitable for protecting military formations from a missile attack by a potential enemy.
It was logical to set a direction in which the new anti-aircraft missile system would be mobile. For this, one could slightly sacrifice efficiency and caliber. The work was entrusted to the working team of KB-1.
In order to design a special missile for the newly created complex, a separate OKB-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 made extensive use of the achievements of the one that had not gone into the S-25 series.
First anti-aircraft missile
The new rocket, which immediately received the new B-750 index (product 1D), was created according to the classical scheme: it was launched using a standard powder engine, and it was driven by a liquid marching engine to the target. However, due to the numerous problems associated with the complexity of the operation of liquid power plants in anti-aircraft missiles, exclusively solid propellant systems were used in all subsequent schemes (including modern ones).
Flight tests began in 1955, but were completed only a year later. Since just in those years there was a sharp increase in the activity of US intelligence 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 aimed at field trials, where it proved to be the best. Already in December, the S-75 was adopted.
The main characteristics of the complex
The rocket launcher itself and its controls were located on the chassis of ZIS-151 or ZIL-157 vehicles. The decision to choose a chassis was made on the basis of the reliability of this equipment, its unpretentiousness and maintainability.
In the 70s, a program was launched to modernize the existing armament systems. So, the
maximum speed of the hit targets was increased to 3600 km / h. In addition, from now on, missiles could shoot down targets flying at an altitude of only one hundred meters. All subsequent years, the S-75 anti-aircraft missile system was continuously modernized.
The combat experience of the use 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 were captured was the notorious John McCain.
In our country, this “old man” complex was used until the 90s, but in many Middle East conflicts it is still used today.
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 only with great difficulty could 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 underway to create a conceptually new and compact complex that could provide reliable air cover for regular military units, including those performing combat missions on enemy territory.
The result of these works was "Wasp". SAM this one turned out so successful that it is still used in many countries of the world.
Development history
The decision on the need to develop a new weapon system of this class was made on February 9, 1959 in the form of a special resolution of the CPSU Central Committee.
In 1960, the complex received the official name of the Osa and Osa-M air defense systems. They were supposed to equip 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 designers agreed that it should have been tracked, with the ability to overcome the swam of water barriers and swampy areas.
The very first tests showed that creating such an installation is quite realistic. It was assumed that the structure would include an autonomous control complex, missiles, which would be enough to defeat at least three targets, backup power supplies and more. The difficulty was that the car was supposed to fit in 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 GKRE.
Difficulties do not scare us ...
Designers immediately faced a lot of problems. The worst thing was for those engineers who were responsible for developing the rocket directly: the maximum given mass of the projectile was small (due to extremely stringent requirements for the size of the complex), and it was necessary to “push” into it a lot. What was the cost of the control system and marching solid fuel engines!
Material incentives
With self-propelled installation, it was also quite difficult. Shortly after the start of development, it turned out that its mass significantly exceeds the maximum permissible indicators that were originally laid down in the project. Because of this, they decided to abandon the heavy easel machine gun, as well as switch to an engine of 180 l / s, instead of the powerful unit at 220 l / s laid down at first.
It is not surprising that among the developers real battles unfolded for almost every gram! So, for the saved 200 grams of mass, a prize of 200 rubles was awarded, and for 100 grams - 100 rubles. The developers even had to collect from all possible places furniture makers of the old school who were engaged in the manufacture of miniature models of wood.
The price of each such “toy” was the cost of a huge polished solid wood wardrobe, but there was no other choice. In general, almost all anti-aircraft missile systems in Russia (as well as the Union) were characterized by a long and thorny development process. But the result was unique weapons samples, and even the old ones are still quite relevant.
In addition, it was necessary to repeatedly cast blanks for the body, since magnesium alloys and aluminum gave different shrinkages.
Only in 1971, 11 years after the start of development, the Osa anti-aircraft missile system was adopted. It proved so effective that the Israelis, in their countless conflicts with the Arabs, had to use a host of jammers to defend 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!
The air defense systems are good for everyone: they have a short deployment time, and they allow you to confidently hit enemy combat aircraft and missiles. It was only shortly after the adoption of the famous S-75 that the designers came up with a new problem: what was a simple soldier to do in battle when helicopters or attack aircraft "processed" his position?
Of course, with some degree of success, the helicopter could be tried to be shot down from an RPG, but such a trick would obviously not have worked with airplanes. And then the engineers began to develop a portable anti-aircraft missile system. Like many domestic developments, this project was amazingly 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. So, the warhead of the missile did not pose a serious danger to well-armed attack aircraft, and the probability of being triggered by thermal 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. For the development, employees of the Kolomna Design Bureau of Mechanical Engineering, LOMO enterprises, the Research Institute of Measuring Instruments and the Central Design Bureau of Engineering were involved.
Per aspera ad astra
The new complex, which immediately received the Igla symbol, was planned to be created from scratch, completely abandoning direct borrowing from the design of the predecessor, relying only on the experience of its application. Of course, with such stringent requirements, making the Igla anti-aircraft missile system proved to be very, very difficult. So, the first tests were planned back in 1973, but in fact they were carried out only in 1980.
The basis was the 9M39 rocket, already developed by that time, the highlight of which was the significantly improved target homing system. She was practically not affected by interference, and being extremely sensitive to the characteristics of the target. This was largely due to the fact that the photodetector of the warhead was cooled to -196 degrees Celsius (a capsule with liquid nitrogen) before launch.
Some specifications
The sensitivity of the guidance receiver is in the range of 3.5-5 microns, which corresponds to the density of the exhaust gases from the turbines of the aircraft. The missile also has a second receiver, which is not cooled by liquid nitrogen, and therefore is used to detect heat traps. Using 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 received the widest recognition in the armies of many countries of the world.
To increase the likelihood of hitting a target, the engineers also equipped the rocket with an additional heading reversal system. For this, additional steering engines were made in the steering compartment to accommodate secondary marching engines.
Other rocket specifications
In length, the new missile had a little more than one and a half meters, and its diameter was 72 mm. The weight of the product was only 10.6 kg. The complex received its name 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 an air divider.
The fact is that the projectile moves at supersonic speeds, so such dividers are necessary to improve handling. Given that this portable anti-aircraft missile system, the photo of which is in the article, is also intended 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 was the warhead and solid-fuel engine. On the sides of the rocket are folding stabilizers.
The total explosive weight was 1.17 kg. Unlike their descendants, the Igla anti-aircraft missile system used a more powerful explosive. The maximum speed that a solid fuel engine gave out was 600 m / s. The maximum range of target pursuit is 5.2 km. The probability of defeat is 0.63.
Currently, Willow is coming into service - an anti-aircraft missile system, which is a continuation of the ideas embodied in his ancestor.
Our armor is strong
Despite the deplorable situation of our defense industry in the mid-90s, experts from many Central Banks understood the urgent need to create a fundamentally new air defense system that would meet the trends of the time. Many "strategists" then believed that the backlog of Soviet technology would last for decades, but the events in Yugoslavia showed that although the old systems were coping with their task (having knocked down the "invisibility"), it’s necessary to provide very well-prepared specialists’ calculations for this. the potential of which the old equipment is not able to reveal.
And therefore, already in 1995, the public was shown the Pantsir anti-aircraft missile system. 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 warhead of the rocket has a mass of 20 kilograms. To defeat UAVs and low-flying helicopters of the enemy in case of exhaustion of the reserve of missiles, it is proposed to use twin automatic 30 mm guns. A unique highlight of the "Shell" is that its automation can simultaneously direct and launch up to three missiles, simultaneously reflecting the enemy’s attack from automatic cannons.
In fact, until the ammunition is completely exhausted, the machine creates a really impenetrable zone around it, making it extremely difficult to break through.
More missiles - more targets!
Immediately after the creation of the "Wasp", the military thought that it would be nice to have in service a complex on a caterpillar chassis, but with more mass and better armor. Of course, at about the same time, the Arrow was being developed on the Tunguska chassis. This anti-aircraft missile system was very good, but it had a number of drawbacks. In particular, the military would like to get a missile with a larger mass of warhead and explosive, which has great power. In addition, for the sake of an increased number of simultaneously guided and launched missiles, patency could be sacrificed to some extent.
So there was “Thor”. This type of anti-aircraft missile system was already based on a tracked chassis and had a mass of 32 tons, so it was much easier for developers to implement the best and most proven units in it.
Characteristics of targets hit
At a range of up to 7 km and an altitude of up to 6 km, Tor easily detects an airplane like the American F-15. All modern UAVs are conducted, starting from a distance of about 15 kilometers. Aiming the rocket is semi-automatic, until the critical approach to the target, the operator is guided from the ground, and then automation comes into play.
By the way, the Buk anti-aircraft missile system has almost the same characteristics, which was put into service around the same years.
If ground personnel were destroyed by enemy fire immediately after the launch of the rocket, fully automatic guidance and adjustment of the flight by the missile 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!
Soon after being adopted, engineers began to intensively modernize the Tor. The new generation anti-aircraft missile system received a modified transport-loading machine, which provided reduced replenishment of ammunition. , , .
In addition, a new algorithm has been introduced into the target detection system. It allows for a couple of seconds to detect hovering enemy helicopters. This makes the Tor-M2U anti-aircraft missile system a true "helicopter killer." The huge advantage of the new model was a completely different control module, which allows you to pair attacks with divisional artillery batteries, coordinating attacks on enemy positions. Of course, the effectiveness of the complex in this case increases significantly.
Of course, according to its characteristics, it still does not reach the S-300PS anti-aircraft missile system Tor, but these weapons models were created for several different purposes.