SS-1 / 9P117 (SCUD)

History

The SS-1 (NATO reporting designation "Scud") was a tactical ballistic missile system developed for the Soviet Army in the 1950s. It was exported in large quantities to various allies and customers, and eventually developed into localized variants by North Korea, Iraq and Iran. Eventually, three main Soviet variants emerged, starting with the "Scud-A" in 1957, to the "Scud-B" in 1954, the "Scud-C" in 1965, and the "Scud-D" in 1989 . During the Gulf War with Iraq, televised operations targeting civilian areas in Israel and Saudi Arabia achieved varying degrees of success.

While some global militaries in Armenia, Egypt, Libya, North Korea, Vietnam and elsewhere continue to use the type, many operators have abandoned it -- a Cold War relic by modern standards.

The Scud missile component was placed on a 9P117 series 8x8 wheeled heavy truck with good maneuverability - the crew fired and then moved the vehicle away from the potential fighter. The car was an armored split-cab tractor with a diesel engine located in the center front.

The 8x8 wheel arrangement uses eight large wheels on four axles, separated by a central crew compartment, forming two front and two rear axles. The missile component sits above the top of the vehicle and contains a complete powertrain that raises the missile when it is ready to launch.

The recoil legs at the rear of the vehicle's chassis have been lowered to counteract the effects of launching missiles. When the rocket fires, the crew must make sure they are in the cabin or away from the launch pad.

The original missile design was heavily influenced by German WWII missile data - especially the V-2 Terror missile launched against the United Kingdom. Korolyev's design firm worked with captured German scientists and engineers on the research.

The initial version of the missile was named "R-11", then R-17 and R-300 "Elbrus".

Specification

Foundation

Year of Service

1957

Origins

Soviet Union

Status

Active.

Limited service.

Crew

8

Production

1,000

Manufacturer

National Factory - USSR

Operator

Afghanistan; Armenia; Belarus; Bulgaria; Czechoslovakia; Czech Republic; Democratic Republic of Congo; East Germany; Egypt; Hungary; Iraq; Iran; Kazakhstan; Libya; North Korea; Oman ; Poland; Romania; Russia; South Korea; North Korea; former Soviet Union; Slovakia; Syria; United Arab Emirates; Ukraine; United States (Test); Yugoslavia; Vietnam; Yemen

Roles

Special designs developed to fulfill one or more equally special battlefield roles.

Power and Performance

Engine:

1 x D12A-525 diesel engine 525 hp (or similar).

Speed

37.3 km/h

(60.0 km/h)

Weapon

1 x 5,600 kg battlefield missile.

AMMOTION

1 x 985kg warhead battlefield missile (multi-warhead variant).

VARIANTS

SS-1 - The name of the base series. SS-1B Scud-A - Model 1957. SS-1C Scud-B - 1964 model. SS-1D Scud-C - 1965 model. SS-1E Scud-D - 1989 model. "Al-Hussein" - Modified Iraqi Scud - B. "Shahab-1" - Iranian copy of SCUD-B. "Hwasong" - Korean variant.