Work in small groups. Ask and answer questions about Russian Defense Systems.

 

The S-300 is a family of Russian-made surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems capable of engaging aircraft and UAVs in addition to providing some cruise and ballistic missile defense capability. The S-300 P variant, also known as the SA-10 Grumble, was designed by the Soviet Union during the 1960s and 70s, and is used only for air defense. Derived from the S-300 P is the S-300 V, also known as the SA-23A Gladiator and the SA-23B Giant, which is equipped with an anti-ballistic missile capability, and is similar in several respects to the U.S. Patriot Advanced Capability-2 (PAC-2).

The S-400 Triumf, NATO reporting name SA-21 Growler, is a mobile, surface-to-air missile system (SAM) designed by Russia. It is capable of engaging aircraft, UAVs, cruise missiles, and has a terminal ballistic missile defense capability. It represents the fourth generation of long-range Russian SAMs, and the successor to the S-200 and S-300. The S-400’s mission set and capabilities are roughly comparable to the U.S. Patriot system. Unlike some Patriot interceptors today, however, the S-400 does not currently employ hit-to-kill ballistic missile defense technology. Russia is however developing a new interceptor, the 77N6, which is believed to employ hit to kill technology.

S-400 at a Glance

Originated from: Russia
Possessed by: Russia
Class: Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM)
Basing: Mobile, ground-based
Warhead: 143 kg high-explosive fragmentation (48N6), hit-to-kill (77N6)
Range: 250-400 km, 60 km (ABM)
Status: Operational
In Service: 2007-Present

Specifications

The S-400 primarily uses the 48N6 missile series. These missiles allow it to hit aerial targets at ranges up to 250 km and are capable of intercepting ballistic missiles across a 60 km radius, using in both cases a 143 kg high explosive fragmentation warhead.

Another missile series, the 77N6, is currently in testing. Unlike other Russian SAMs, the 77N6 missiles will use hit-to-kill technology (as do PAC-3 missiles) and are designed specifically to destroy ballistic missile warheads.

The final missile series used by the S-400 is the 40N6, a long-range family that can extend the air defense capabilities of the system to 400 km. The current deployment status of the 40N6 missile is unclear, and questions remain as to whether the S-400’s radar capabilities would allow the 40N6 make full use of its maximum range.

 

Work in pairs. Open your book on page 88 (Infographic 2). Ask and answer questions about S-400.

Write down a short description of how S- 400 works.

6. Watch the video: THAAD (USA) vs S-400 (Russia) _ Comparison between two Air Defense System. Answer the questions:

1. How does the THAAD interceptor destroy the incoming missile?

2. How many missiles does the S-400 missile system have? What is their cost? Compare the prices with the THAAD missiles.

3. What are the THAAD missile specifications? When are the data downloaded? Could there be any changes?

4. What is the defense capability of the S-400 missile system? Compare it with the THAAD one.

5. How are both these missiles powered? Are there any differences?

6. Show the differences in their guidance systems.

7. Which of these two missiles has a better radar?

Work in pairs. Ask and answer questions about the Tor air defense system.

Tor (SA-15 Gauntlet)

The 9K330 Tor (NATO: SA-15 Gauntlet) is a Russian mobile surface-to-air missile system with an engagement range of 12 to 16 kilometers.

Tor at a Glance

Originated from: Russia
Possessed by: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, China, Cyprus, Egypt, Greece, Iran, Russia
Alternate Names: SA-15 Gauntlet, Thor, Thorus, Bublik [“Bagel”] (Russian unofficial)
Class: Short-range Air Defense (SHORAD)
Basing: Mobile, ground-based
Warhead: 15 kg high-explosive fragmentation (9M331)
Range: 12-16 km
Status: Operational
In service: 1986-Present

Description

The Tor air defense system incorporates a surveillance antenna, tracking radar, and 9M330/9M331 missiles on a tracked chassis. The vehicle’s maximum speed is 65 km/h and the system is capable of scanning for targets while moving; later variants possess a limited capacity to fire while moving.

Tor uses two radars to detect and engage manned aircraft, helicopters, UAVs, missiles, and other precision-guided munitions. The first, a mechanically-scanned surveillance radar, can scan up to 48 targets and serves a secondary tracking function for up to ten targets. The surveillance radar’s detection range is reportedly 25 km or greater. The second, an electronically-steered tracking radar, can simultaneously engage up to two targets with radar cross sections (RCS) as small as 0.1m². Cruise missiles typically possess RCSs of 0.5m² or smaller. Operating in the K-band, the radar is highly resistant to adverse weather conditions and electronic countermeasures. The radar has a maximum range of over 25km; it is complemented by an electrooptical tracking system with a range of 20 km.

A baseline Tor unit houses up to eight missiles in its vertical-launch system. Produced by the Fakel Design Bureau, Tor-M1’s 9M330 and 9M331 missiles have a launch weight of 165kg and can reach a maximum speed of over Mach 2. Armed with the 9M331 missile, the Tor-M1 has a maximum engagement altitude of 6 km and a maximum engagement range of 15 km.

Tor M1                            Tor M2                           Tor M2DT Test Firing

 

Variants

Tor-M1 Family

The Tor-M1 possesses a significantly different configuration to the original Tor design, with late-production models possessing an electronically-scanned surveillance radar. Since 2005, Russia has exhibited five updates of the Tor-M1: the M1A, M1B, M1V, M1G, and M1-2U. Each successive update incorporates the features in the previous version; the M1A includes a software update to improve range against certain flight patterns, the M1B adds a cooperative engagement capability, the M1V increases the engagement envelope, adds jamming resistance, and further integrates their radar systems, and the M1G replaces the Tor-M1’s electrooptical system with a new day/night camera. The M1-2U is the latest M1-family variant in Russian service, featuring an expanded engagement altitude of 10 km, reduced crew size of three, and ability to engage four targets simultaneously.

Tor-M2 Family

First displayed in 2007, the Tor-M2 family can be armed with up to 8 9M331 or 16 9M338-series missiles, expanding its engagement range to 16 km and ceiling to 10 km against targets under Mach 3. In addition, the Tor-M2 features a reduced crew size of three, improved detection radars sensitive to low-RCS targets, shorter reaction time, new optical and thermal detection systems, enhanced signal processing, and other improvements. These upgrades allow the Tor-M2 family to detect targets at 32 km and engage up to four targets simultaneously. The Tor-M2E is the export designation of the Tor-M2, while the Tor-M2K is a version mounted on a wheeled chassis. The Tor-M2KM, meanwhile, is a self-contained modular variant of the Tor-M2 mountable on various platforms. Another enhanced variant, the Tor-M2U, features upgraded missiles capable of engaging agile targets maneuvering up to 10g. The Tor-M2 system entered Russian service in 2012.

Tor-E2

In 2019, Russia’s Almaz-Antey Concern unveiled the Tor-E2, a “new generation” family of the Tor system capable of detecting targets at 32 km and engaging four simultaneously. Armed with 16 9M338KE missiles, the system features an expanded engagement range and altitude of 16 and 12 km.

Naval and Arctic Variants

Russia operates a navalized version of the Tor, the 3K95 Kinzhal (NATO: SA-N-9 Gauntlet) on several surface ships. In addition, Russia introduced in 2018 the Tor-M2DT, a version of the Tor-M2 built a DT-30 articulated tracked chassis. Optimized for arctic and harsh terrains, the Tor-M2DT entered Russian service in 2019.

 

                                                                   UNIT 6                   

American Defense System