SA-9 (Gaskin) / 9K31 Strela-1

History

The SA-9 (NATO codename "Gaskin", officially designated by the Russians as 9K31 Strela-1) is a four-wheeled mobile air defense system produced during the Cold War. The system combines a mobile turret housing two 9M31 surface-to-air missile systems with a BRDM-2 amphibious reconnaissance vehicle. Production of the Gaskin began in 1966 and the system entered service in 1968.

Although it has been replaced by the tracked SA-13 "Gopher" in service with the Russian Army, it is still used today by various operators.

The SA-9 Launch Vehicle (or "TEL" - Transporter Erect Launcher) is an improved BRDM-2 amphibious armored vehicle. It features four large wheels, but omits the original's "belly" mounted wheels.

The chassis weighs around 7 tonnes and is powered by a single GAZ 41 series water-cooled V8 petrol engine producing 140 hp at 3,400 rpm. The crew quarters are three people, consisting of the driver, commander and gunner. Both the driver and the commander have infrared vision systems. The entire crew is protected from small arms with armor thicknesses ranging from 5 to 14 mm and full NBC protection (nuclear, biological and chemical). The range is specified at 750 kilometers and the maximum speed is specified at 100 kilometers per hour.

Since the SA-9 carrier evolved from the BRDM-2, it can also traverse water, allowing it to reach speeds of up to 10 kilometers per hour. Off-road, the SA-9 can take full advantage of its 0.43m ground clearance and 4x4 wheels. The turret is designed so that it can be lowered against the top of the vehicle to drive or reload the rocket launcher.

However, except for the turret, the general appearance is identical to the basic BRDM-2 scout vehicle.

The 9M31 Strela-1 surface-to-air missile is the heart of the SA-9. It is a single-stage solid-propellant rocket-propelled projectile that uses a passive infrared homing guidance system. Top speed is reported to be Mach 1.8, range is about 4 miles, and operation is capped at 11,000 feet.

The warhead is classified as Frag HE and weighs 2.6 kg. Explosion occurs through HF approach. Overall length is approximately 5.4 feet. The 9M31 was also developed into the 9M31M variant, which had a range of 5 miles and a working ceiling of 20,000 feet. With both types of missiles, the crew can reload in just five minutes.

Interestingly, most SA-9s do not carry heavy rockets. In a typical launch operation, the SA-9 operator fires two missiles to increase the probability of a hit. By classification, the SA-9 is a low-altitude air defense system, not a final solution.

The 9M31 Strela-1 missile was developed at the same time as the 9K32M Strela-2, and both were intended to be small man-portable weapons systems at the end of the project. However, the Strela-2 evolved into a more compact design, leading to the decision to make the Strela-1 the heavier of the two.

As such, the Strela-1 was fitted with a larger warhead, providing better maneuverability and slightly better range, but at the cost of additional drag. The new missile is designed to be mounted on the proven BRDM-2 turret system to protect the vulnerable ZSU-23-4 "Shilka" regiment-level anti-chain missile system.

Four SA-9 Gaskins will support four ZSU-23-4 Shilkas.

Notable SA-9 operators include Cuba, Croatia; Egypt, India; Libya; Poland, Serbia, Syria, Ukraine, Vietnam and Yemen. Former prominent operators include Czechoslovakia and Iraq.

The SA-9 was involved in various conflicts during its tenure, including the Arab-Israeli War, the Lebanon War, the Iran-Iraq War, the Yugoslav War and the 2003 invasion of Iraq (side by side - Iraqi Armed Forces side). ).

The improved SA-9 entered service in 1970 as SA-9B "Haskin-Mod0" (Soviet designation 9M31M-1M).

Specification

Basic

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Performance

Armor

There are usually no spare missiles.

Changes