SAM "Strela-10": characteristics

"Strela-10" is the pride of Soviet military engineering. The 9K35 anti-aircraft missile system, also known by the American classification as SA-13 Gopher, was designed to explore airspace and destroy any suspicious objects at low altitudes. In the following years the complex was repeatedly modernized.

History of creation

The first such project of the Soviet military, supported by the CPSU Central Committee, was the Strela-10 SV missile system. The machine was created on the basis of the well-proven previous model 9K31. The "Strela-1" was taken all the advanced features, and the rest carefully processed to perfection.

In January 1973, testing of the new complex began in harsh conditions. The first check of the SAM did not pass. The Military Council decided to finalize the model to 9K35. So in late 1974, the light appeared "Arrow-10". The SAM (photo below) passed all test runs, responding positively to the question of the expediency of continuing the project. The main disadvantage of the upgraded complex was the anti-aircraft missile control system. According to research, the probability of an exact target damage at an altitude of 1500 m was approximately 60%. Similar results of the SAM showed at the firing range at the collision course throughout the attack zone. In 1975, the 9M31 missile and the infrared guidance system were improved. After regular tests and checks on reliability, the "Strela-10" was adopted. In 1976, a wide production of new combat vehicles was established.

Principle of operation and purpose

The "Strela-10" 9K35 can operate in an automated mode. At the same time, the reception and processing of target designations occurs through the manual control of operators. Detection of enemy objects is carried out with the help of the direction finder in the autonomous mode. The attack is carried out only on targets that are in the visual vision of the complex.

SAM "Strela-10" is designed to protect the units of tank and motorized rifle regiments, as well as foot troops and strategically important points from the air threat at low altitudes. Combat activities can be conducted during the march and even at the time of the change of location. One of the main advantages of the complex is the availability of automatic evaluation chips and blocking of equipment from impulse non-synchronous interference. In the course of the latest development, the 9M37M missile received a special head covering the guidance system from optical noises. Headquarters includes a radio station, target designation and reception equipment, a control panel for machinery and equipment.

Tactical and technical characteristics

At RTK "Strela-10" TTX differ mobility and speed of reaction. The readiness of the projectile to launch varies from 5 to 10 seconds, depending on climatic conditions. Receiving target designations takes 3-5 s. The distortion of the data along the azimuth at a distance to the object from 6 to 25 km is only 1.5 degrees.

Also worthy of the SAM "Strela-10" characteristics of the range of fire. The maximum distance to the target with the probability of destruction to 99.5% is 5 km. At the same time, the flight altitude can vary from 25 to 3500 meters. At the oncoming courses, the speed of the rocket is about 1500 km / h, after it - up to 1100 km / h. In turn, the recognition of air objects occurs at a range of up to 12,000 m.

The transfer of an installation from a march position to a combat position takes no more than 20 seconds. The time for a full recharge (4 missiles) fluctuates around 2-3 minutes. Convolution of active military equipment takes 3 min. The total mass of the "Strela-10" air defense system is 12.3 tons. At the same time, the machine can speed up to 61.5 km / h on the ground, up to 6 km / h afloat.

Structure of the complex

The main component of the "Strela-10" SAM is the 9A35 combat vehicle. It was created on the basis of mobile base MT-LB. During the modernization, the ammunition was increased, which contained 4 SAMs in the installation and 4 additional missiles in the cargo compartment. The equipment of the guidance mechanism was also improved. Now the complex was protected by a 7.62 mm machine gun connected to the onboard equipment by electric drives.

It is noteworthy that the SAM has extremely low pressure on the surface of the ground, so it can move freely along the track, swamp, sand, snow and water. The undercarriage is based on the torsion suspension, which gives the car extra smoothness and maneuverability of the course. Thanks to this decision, the accuracy of the volley and the longevity of the launch system itself is increased at times. The ergonomics of the base is not affected by spare equipment and equipment. The assessment of the zone of action is performed by the 9C86 analysis system. This equipment is designed to detect the target, determine its position and calculate the error for launching the SAM. For the analysis of the range of combat operations, a special radio range-finder is responsible.

Armament of the complex

The main combat elements of the SAM "Strela-10" are solid-propellant missiles 9M37 of anti-aircraft type. The projectile is designed according to the "duck" scheme. The self-guided head operates in two-channel mode, which allows optimal control by proportional method. First of all, the ZUR tries to achieve the goal in the mode of photo-contrast. If this method has not yielded results, the head is reprogrammed for infrared navigation. This makes it possible to react equally equally to catch-up and counter-goals.

To cool the rocket's chips, liquid nitrogen is used, which is stored in special containers sewn into the body. This prevents early ignition of the fuse. In the event of a failure in one of the targeting modes, manual operator takes over the operator, which sends the data to the rocket from the radar. The speed of the ZUR is the responsibility of special ailerons fixed behind the wings. They are limited to the angular rotation of the projectile. It is worth noting that the 9M37 combat unit is equipped with automatic and contact fuses. Due to this missile in the event of a miss is self-destructing.

Major modifications

The first advanced variation of the complex was the "Strela-10 M" SAM. The indexing of the installation is 9K35M. A characteristic feature of the model was the presence of guided missiles with new aiming heads. Now the locating system selected objects for destruction by the availability of the trajectory. This reduced the risk of falling into trap-traps.

The model "Arrow-10 M2" received a modified combat complex. The task of modernization was to increase the efficiency and automation of the shock unit. Now the target designation was based on the battery PU-12M and air defense system. The data were confirmed by a radar, processed and sent to a shock receiver. It was also decided to fix the polyurethane floats on the sides of the machine.

The modification of the "Strela-10 M3" was adopted in 1989. Here, refinement only touched on-board equipment. The model with the letter "M4" received an automatic capture device, a scanning unit, a thermal imaging system and sensors for tracking targets. "Strela-10 T" is a Belarusian version of the installation. The development was carried out by the NGO "Tetraedr". As a result of modernization, the onboard equipment was replenished with the optical system 1TM, new navigation equipment and an improved digital computing chip.

It should be noted that over the years of modification, the ZUR was repeatedly exposed. The latest version of the missile, suitable for the complex "Strela-10", was 9M333. The main difference from previous models was a 3-mode guidance system with enhanced protection against interference.

Combat application

The SAM was repeatedly used to suppress local conflicts in Angola during the internecine war. According to preliminary data, at the disposal of the AF of the African country there were about a dozen military vehicles.

Also, "Strela-10" was one of the main weapons in the war for the Persian Gulf in 1991. The SAM actively participated in Operation Desert Storm. The use of the antiaircraft complex gave Iraq a slight advantage in airspace. Recently, the complexes were used only in the civil conflict in Ukraine near the People's Republic of China and the People's Republic of China.

Indicators of export

In the arsenal of the Russian Federation there are about 500 original and modified versions of the "Arrow-10".

As for exports, Belarus is on the first place here. At her disposal is about 350 9K35. In second place is India with 250 complexes. The third position is occupied by Ukraine with 150 air defense systems.

Azerbaijan, Jordan, Angola, Yemen, Cuba, Macedonia, Slovakia, Syria, Libya, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, the Czech Republic, Serbia, etc. are also among the countries that regularly buy from Russia 9K35.