Anti-aircraft missile system "Cube": history of creation, description, characteristics

In each state, special anti-aircraft missile systems (SAMs) are provided to protect against air invasion . Since July 18, 1958, in accordance with the Resolution of the Central Committee of the CPSU, the design of the SAM "Cube" began at the Research Institute of Instrument Engineering. The anti-aircraft missile system was intended to provide ground forces and tank divisions with protection against air attacks by destroying enemy targets at medium and low altitude.

What is the USSR SAM?

"Cube" - anti - aircraft missile system, the composition of which consisted of military means:

• Anti-aircraft guided missile 3M9.
• Self-propelled installation that performs reconnaissance and guidance (1C91).
• Self-propelled launcher 2P25.

Who was involved in the creation of the SAM in the USSR?

All combat assets included in the anti-aircraft missile system "Cube" were designed separately. Behind each site was assigned its chief designer, the head, responsible for the result. Self-propelled installation 1С91 was created under the leadership of AA Rastov. The semi-active radar head 2P25, which performs homing of the missile, was developed by 1960 by the chief designer Yu. N. Vekhov. His successor in this work in 1960 was IG Hakobyan. Responsible for the entire anti-aircraft missile system "Cube" and its designer was the head of OKB-15 VV Tikhomirov.

Design and tasks of the launcher

The self-propelled launcher was placed on the chassis of the GM-578, on special carriages, which contained guides for missiles. 2P25 contained electric power drives, navigation equipment. In addition, the self-propelled plant was equipped with a counting-and-solving device, an autonomous gas turbine electric generating set and means that perform topographic tasks, telecode communication and pre-launch monitoring of the installation. To connect the missile with the launcher, two connectors were used. They were located in a rocket. The procedure for its pre-launch guidance was carried out with the help of the drive of the carriage, which processed the received data from 1C91. The radio-telecode communication line provided 2P25 with the necessary information. The combat calculation of the installation was three people. Weight 2P25 reached 19.5 tons.

The device of a rocket

The anti-aircraft missile system "Cube" was equipped with a 3M9 missile, designed as a "swivel wing". From its analogue 3M8, it was distinguished by the presence of additional steering wheels. Due to their use, the dimensions of the rotary wing were reduced to designers. In addition, the steering machines did not need high power. The hydraulic drive was replaced with a lighter pneumatic.

The capture of the target from the launch and its tracking of the Doppler frequency was performed by a self-guided semi-active radar head 1SB4 located in the front of the rocket containing the combined propulsion system. The weight of the high-explosive warhead was 57 kg. The two-channel autoradio radio detonator gave the command to carry out its detonation. The rocket size was 5.8 meters, the diameter was 33 cm. The collected rocket was transported in special containers, which were created by folding the stabilizer consoles.

How does the afterburning camera of the rocket work?

The gas generator's charge after its combustion came through the air intakes into the afterburner chamber, in which the final combustion of the fuel was carried out. The charge of solid fuel itself was a 172-kilogram checker with a diameter of 29 cm and a length of 1.7 meters. To produce it, ballistic fuel was used. The air intakes were designed for supersonic working conditions. During the launch of the rocket, all the openings of the air intakes were tightly closed with the help of fiberglass plugs. The launch of the missile was started at the launch site, before the march engine was switched on.

The start lasted up to 5 seconds. The internal part of the rocket nozzle, which was held by the GRP, was fired after 5-6 seconds, and the phase of work was on the march site.

Composition and tasks of 1C91

The self-propelled reconnaissance and reconnaissance installation consists of:

• Radar station radar, through which the detection and tracking of an air target.
• Illumination 1С31. With the help of this tool, target recognition, navigation, topography, and radiotelecode communication with the entire "Cube" system are realized. The anti-aircraft missile system (photo below) was equipped with two rotating radar antennas: 1С11 and 1С31.

They carried out a circular survey at a speed of 15 revolutions per minute. The antennas had spaced carrier frequencies. The receiving and transmitting channels were equipped with emitters, the location of which was a single focal plane. Detect, identify and escort the air target could be at a distance of 300 to 70 000 and a height of 30 to 7000 meters.

Self-propelled installation 1S91 was located on the chassis GM-568. The weight of the remedy was 20.3 tons. Combat calculation for management consisted of four people.

The SAM test

In 1959, the anti-aircraft missile system "Cube" passed its first testing. As a result of the work, the following shortcomings were identified:

• The air intakes had an unsuccessful design.
• The afterburner was with a poor-quality heat-shielding coating. This drawback was due to the fact that titanium was used to make the chambers. After testing, this metal was replaced by steel.

In 1961, the main designers involved in the development of "Cuba" were replaced. Nevertheless, this did not affect the acceleration of work to improve the anti-aircraft missile system. From 1961 to 1963, 83 missiles were launched. Of these, only three launches were successful. In 1964, the first missile was launched, containing a warhead. The IL-28 was shot down, flying at medium altitude. Further launches were successful. As a result, in 1967, the Central Committee of the CPSU decided to adopt the Cub anti-aircraft missile system for arming the ground forces. The project of creating a model for export began.

Export modification 2K12 "Cube"

The anti-aircraft missile system, whose characteristics differed from its base analog, was assembled in 1971. Distinctions have touched systems that perform the recognition of air targets.

The air defense missile system "Kub" ("Kvadrat" - the name of installations intended for export deliveries) was provided with an altered level of protection against interference, which made it possible to differentiate targets by state supplies. The export model was suitable for operation in tropical latitudes.

Anti-aircraft missile system "Kub-M1"

After the modernization works in 1973, an improved version appeared on the arsenal of the USSR Army - the Kub-M1 air defense missile system. The completed design improvements extended the boundaries of the damaging zone, improved the protection of the homing head from various interference, the starting period did not exceed 5 seconds. The antennas of the radar station were provided with protection against the action of anti-radar missiles.

Where was the SAM used?

From 1967 to 1982, the anti-aircraft missile system "Cube" was widely exported to various countries where active combat operations were conducted. Not without the help of this SAM in the Arab-Israeli war was defeated the Israeli air force. In 1999, in order to prevent the bombing of NATO forces, Yugoslavia actively used this complex. The disadvantage of the SAM was the imperfection of its television channels, not adapted to night work. At this time of the day, NATO was mainly struck.

In this case, the work of "Cuba" was ineffective. Reflecting the night air strikes, the troops of Yugoslavia lost three SAMs.

Today, the SAM "Cube" is used by Slovakia. The SAM contains a self-propelled launcher and three missiles. In the entire series of the complex, this modification is considered the most advanced and is known as the "Cube-M2".