SA-10 (Grumble) / S-300

History

The S-300 (NATO name and codename SA-10 "Grumble") is a long-range surface-to-air missile system developed in the last decades of the Cold War (1947-1991) Designed to use cruise missile weapons from the West that would have been used in the first round of an all-out war with the Soviet Union. The S-300 missile was developed by MKB from the beginning in 1967 and entered service in the Soviet Union in 1978.

The export-oriented missile has also gained a place in many operators around the world (mainly the Soviet Union during the Cold War). The S-300 is in terms of battlefield quality and scale.

Comparable to the US's MIM-104 "Patriot" battery, it is now competitive with designs such as the Chinese HQ-9 system, and Turkey has recently adopted Russian products.

The S-300 missile is typically deployed from multiple cell launchers mounted horizontally on heavy industrial trucks for maneuverability. The typical transporter photographed is an 8-wheeled vehicle with a front engine and the cab is skewed to the left of the chassis.

The vehicle will be equipped with its own dedicated radar vehicle to provide the necessary scanning and tracking capabilities. When ready for launch, the launch vehicle components of the launch vehicle are raised into a vertical position, and the set-up time of the system takes just five minutes.

While an 8x8 chassis is typically used, the launcher can be placed on any wheeled or tracked vehicle capable of supporting the launcher's weight.

The S-300 series of missiles and phased array radars are highly regarded by the air defense community for their performance even against modern aircraft systems. Its radar can track more than 100 individual targets and engage 12 of them with improved characteristics to counter launched countermeasures.

However, it should be noted that to date (2013) no modern conflict has used the S-300 launcher/missile out of anger. The primary missiles of the S-300 family are the 9M82, 9M83, and 9M83ME, with speeds in excess of 5,400 mph and deployment altitudes of 98,000 feet, depending on the model.

The missiles carry a 330-pound warhead guided by semi-active radar guidance. Other missile types are also available, greatly expanding the tactical value and external appeal of the S-300 family.

According to sources, production of the S-300 system was completed in 2011, mainly under the MZIK brand. The original variant was the S-300P. The S-300PT and S-300PT-1A are improved low-altitude defenses (mostly cruise missiles). The S-300PS and S-300PM are nuclear capable missiles, while the S-300PMU is a modernized standard missile model. The S-300F was the 1984 version of the Navy missile, which was joined by the updated and improved S-300FM in 1990.

The S-300V has anti-ballistic missile qualities and the S-300PMU-1 is a new design in 1992. The S-300PMU-2 followed in 1997 as an improved variant. The S-300VM and S-300V4 are the newer S-300V brands.

The S-300 family is actively serving with the armies of Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, China, Greece, Iran, Kazakhstan, Syria, Slovakia, Russia, Ukraine, Venezuela and Vietnam. Croatia is the former operator.

The former Czech troops were incorporated into the new Slovak army in 1993, while the East German troops were disbanded after German reunification. The former Soviet model was inherited by the new Russian army. Syria is a possible modern operator.

The more advanced S-400 (SA-21 "Growler") system complements the S-300/SA-10 series. The transmitter, radar and vehicle system entered the Russian air defense stockpile in 2004.

The original Iranian order was for five cars, but the deal was suspended by the Russians in 2010 due to the current embargo on the Gulf state. Iran subsequently filed a lawsuit in 2011, but the deal was not implemented until early 2015, when relations between Iran and the West began to thaw. The final S-300 system should be in Iranian hands by the end of 2016 - adding productive air defense capabilities.

For this reason, the Israelis are believed to have invested in the technologically advanced Lockheed F-35 Lightning II attack aircraft.

Specification

Basic

Roles

Armor

4 x S-300 long-range missiles.

Changes