Man-portable anti-aircraft missile system 9K32M "Strela-2M"

By the mid-60s. XX century The geopolitical military situation was finally established in the world, remaining largely unchanged until the collapse of the Soviet Union. The outbreak of the arms race forced the two most powerful states at that time - the USSR and the USA - to compete in the speed of developing new types of weapons.

MANPADS "Strela"

It turned out that almost simultaneously the armies of these countries received at their disposal the latest infantry weapons - anti-aircraft missile systems. And although the Soviet development was several years late, its better tactical and technical characteristics quickly restored the balance in the infantry armament of the armies of the two states.

In 1966, the development of the first Soviet MANPADS, carried out by the Mechanical Engineering Design Bureau (KBM) under the leadership of the famous designer B.I., ended. Shavyrin in Kolomna, Moscow region. The thermal homing head was developed by a group of engineers from OKB-357 of the Leningrad Economic Council (later it became part of the Leningrad Optical-Mechanical Association - LOMO), as well as the State Optical Institute, headed by chief designer Pikkel. The developed missile system, designated 9K32 "Strela-2" (NATO designation - SA-7 "Grail"), was adopted by the Soviet Army in 1968. The self-propelled version, designated "Strela-1", was subsequently used to a limited extent. The main advantage of the portable Strela over its American competitor, the Redeye MANPADS, was the ability to hit a target on a collision course, which, however, was very limited in the first models of the Soviet complex. The Strela MANPADS became a battalion weapon, initially in service with anti-aircraft gunners of missile companies from a motorized infantry (tank) battalion.

The Strela-2 MANPADS was a fairly effective weapon for its time. Its superiority over its then only American-made competitor has already been mentioned. This superiority was consolidated in 1970 with the development of the new 9K32M Strela-2 M MANPADS by the Mechanical Engineering Design Bureau. This weapon was developed in accordance with the government decree of September 2, 1968 and tested from October 1969 to February 1970 at the Donguz test site (head of the test site M.I. Finogenov) under the leadership of a commission headed by N.M. Orlov.

Significant modernization of the electronic part of the Strela complex has significantly increased the effectiveness of this weapon. For the first time, it became possible for a shooter-operator to select a moving target against a background of interference. The firing range and target engagement height have increased. Thanks to the automation of aiming and target acquisition by the homing head, the work of the shooter-operator has been significantly simplified. The new missile defense systems of the complex ensured the defeat of targets flying at a speed of 150 m/s on a collision course, and on catch-up courses at a speed of 260 m/s.

MANPADS "Igla"

In 1974, the next KBM development, the Strela-3 MANPADS (NATO designation SA-14 Gremlin), was adopted by the Soviet Army. The modernization this time affected mainly the missile defense system. The new 9M36 missile was equipped with a highly sensitive noise-proof homing head (for this purpose, deep cooling technology for the homing sensor was used) designed by the Kyiv Design Bureau (chief designer of the head - I.K. Polosin) and improved engines that increased the height and range of the missile's affected area. The Strela-3 MANPADS ensured the destruction of actively maneuvering targets on catch-up courses flying at a speed of 310 m/s, and on oncoming courses at a speed of 260 m/s. American developers of missile systems were able to achieve such efficiency only by 1978. Tests of the Strela-3 complex took place at the Donguz test site from November 1972 to May 1973 (test site head O.K. Dmitriev) under the leadership of a commission headed by D. .A. Smirnov.

Experts assessed all modifications of the Strela MANPADS as effective, easy to maintain, cheap and easy to transport weapons. Combat launches of Strela-type missiles are carried out from the shoulder, even from unprepared positions, as well as from combat and transport vehicles of any type moving on flat terrain at speeds of up to 20 km/h. In the stowed position, the Strela-3 is carried on a shoulder strap behind the back of the shooter-operator. The calculation of MANPADS is 1 person.

In the Soviet Army, portable air defense systems began to be widely used in the Airborne Forces and Marine Corps, at Air Force field airfields, on surface ships, in coastal troops and at naval aviation airfields, in border troops, and in operational formations of internal troops.

Mass-produced at the Kovrov plant named after V.A. Degtyarev, this complex is in service with the armies of more than 50 countries and managed to take part in almost all armed conflicts of the second half of the twentieth century. The complex was supplied to the armed forces of Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Botswana, Benin, Burkina Faso, Hungary, Vietnam, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, East Germany, Egypt, Zambia, Zimbabwe, India, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Cuba, Cyprus, Kuwait, Laos, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Nicaragua, UAE, Peru, Poland, North Korea, Sudan, Sierra Leone, Syria, Somalia, El Salvador, Slovakia, Tanzania, Finland, Czechoslovakia, Ethiopia, South Africa, Yugoslavia. Strela-2 M models are produced in Egypt (under the designation “Ayn as Saqr”), Pakistan (ANZA MKI) and China (HN-5, “Hongying-5”). The Strela-2 is also used by the Navy - both from a conventional launcher and in a special naval version (SA-N-5 “Grail” according to NATO designation).

In the early 1970s. Engineers of the Mechanical Engineering Design Bureau, in accordance with the resolution of the Council of Ministers of the USSR dated February 12, 1971, began creating a new generation of MANPADS to replace the Strela complex in service with the Soviet Army. The general name of the new Soviet development is “Igla”. The developers were tasked, first of all, with increasing the protection of the missile homing system from light traps, increasing the range and effectiveness of hitting a target, and also achieving better interaction between anti-aircraft gunners and air defense control points at the tactical level.

The main developer of the Igla MANPADS was the Mechanical Engineering Design Bureau (chief designer - S.P. Nepobedimy). LOMO (the creation of a thermal seeker led by designer O.A. Artamonov), the Research Institute of Measuring Instruments (the development of a ground-based radar interrogator led by Yu.V. Moiseev) and the Central Design Bureau of Apparatus Engineering (the creation of a portable electronic tablet) took part in the development led by designer V.G. Rosenthal).

However, such an impressive list of design bureaus responsible for the development did not help speed up the creation of weapons. The work dragged on for ten years, which was mainly due to difficulties in creating a highly sensitive and noise-resistant thermal seeker. The appearance of new MANPADS among NATO member countries (English “Blowpipe”, Swedish RBS70), as well as the accelerated replacement by the US Army of the “Redeye” complex with “Redeye-2” (later designated “Stinger”), forced the leadership of the Soviet Army to reconsider the development timeline MANPADS. Since 1978, Kolomna KBM engineers have been developing a simplified Igla-1 MANPADS, which received the index 9K310.

In 1981, after successful tests carried out from January 15 to July 9, 1980 at the Donguz test site under the leadership of a commission headed by Yu.I. Tretyakov, the new complex was adopted by the Soviet Army. In NATO countries, this weapon was designated SA-16 “Gimlet”. MANPADS "Igla-1" was intended to destroy actively maneuvering air targets flying at speeds of up to 320 m/s on catch-up courses and up to 360 m/s on head-on courses. Compared to the Strela-3 MANPADS, the characteristics of the range and altitude of hitting targets have significantly improved. According to some reports, the probability of hitting high-speed American F-4 fighters with the Igla-1 MANPADS compared to the Strela has increased from 7–9% to 44–59%. All this was achieved thanks to significant processing of the electronic equipment of the Strela-3 MANPADS.

To ensure greater mobility of the complex's rocket, post-launch turnaround equipment was installed on it. In addition, the Igla-1 missile defense system (type 9M313) was equipped with a flight mode switch “towards - after”. For the first time in the practice of designing MANPADS, the mode of detonating the remaining fuel of a rocket when it hits a target was used. Together with the use of high-action explosives, this led to a significant increase in the lethality of missiles.

A significant disadvantage of the design of the Igla-1 missile defense system was its low protection from active types of artificial interference (for example, fired thermal missiles) - this was due to the acceleration of work on the creation of this weapon. Therefore, in development of the general theme “Igla”, engineers of the Kolomna KBM in 1983, having actually returned to the original ideas, completed the development of the 9K38 “Igla” man-portable missile system, which received the Soviet designation 9K38 and the Western designation SA-18 “Grouse”. The main innovation of the MANPADS is the 9M39 missile, equipped with the latest highly sensitive homing head, which has a target selection circuit against the background of interference. This modernization allowed the complex to ensure the destruction of actively maneuvering targets defending themselves by shooting away thermal interference.

In this case, the power of thermal radiation of interference is allowed to be greater than that of the target itself. The probability of hitting heat-protected targets with a 9M39 missile is 24–31%, despite the fact that the Igla-1 complex is practically unsuitable for combat under such conditions. Several versions of the Igla MANPADS are produced, differing slightly:

— “Igla-E” — export modification; — “Igla-M” — a model for use in the navy (NATO designation — SA-N-10); - “Igla-D” - a model for paratroopers and special forces with a launch tube and rocket divided into two parts, connected before combat use, which made it possible to increase the compactness of the complex; - “Igla-V” - an aerial modification in the form of a block of two missiles in launch tubes, used for installation mainly on combat helicopters; — “Igla-N” is a model with a heavier warhead, the missile has a slightly lower speed and range, but due to the power of the warhead, the probability of hitting targets is increased by 25–50% compared to standard models; — “Igla-S” is the latest version, which has a missile defense system with modified engines with a longer flight range, a more advanced and noise-resistant guidance and search system and a heavier warhead.

To increase the combat characteristics of the Igla complex, Kolomna KBM developed the Dzhigit launcher, consisting of two Igla or Igla-1 MANPADS on a turret installation, in which the anti-aircraft gunner is placed in a rotating chair and manually aims the launcher at target. The massive design of the complex requires a lot of time for combat training and wheeled transportation. However, by using any combination of Igla and Igla-1 MANPADS, Dzhigit increases the probability of hitting a target by an average of 1.5 times when launching missiles in one salvo.

MANPADS "Igla" and "Igla-1", serial production of which is carried out at the Kovrov plant named after. V.A. Degtyarev, were exported to more than 30 countries, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, Malaysia, Finland, India, Iraq, Poland, Singapore, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovenia, South Korea and Syria. Several partisan and terrorist organizations are known to be armed with Russian Iglas. In 2003, the cost of one complex was approximately $40,000.

The Strela and Igla complexes were very actively used during numerous conflicts in the Middle East.

In 1969, Strela-2 appeared in service in Egypt and then in Syria. There is information that these weapons were also used by Soviet air defense units that arrived in Egypt in 1970.

But regarding the effectiveness of the Soviet complex, mutually exclusive evidence was received. According to Arab sources, in August 1969, in one day, ten Strela-2 missiles shot down 6 Israeli Air Force Phantom aircraft, while all other air defense systems shot down only 4. Israel claimed that for the entire August 1969. on the Egyptian front, the Air Force lost only one aircraft - an A-4 Skyhawk, shot down by anti-aircraft artillery fire, and at the end of 1969 (October-December) there were no losses at all.

By the beginning of the Yom Kippur War of 1973, the Arab armies had up to 2000 Strela-2 complexes. Arab sources claim that between November 6 and November 23, 1973, these MANPADS shot down 23 Israeli aircraft and another 8 during the Battle of Hermon (April 8 - May 30, 1974).

Israel confirms the loss of only six of its aircraft (Phantom and Skyhawk). According to another source, during the war, up to 35 hits from the Strela-2 complex missiles were recorded on Israeli Air Force aircraft, 4 of these hits were lethal to combat vehicles, 3 aircraft were seriously damaged, and the remaining 28 were quickly returned to service. Moreover, according to some reports, the Arabs fired about 5,000 of these missiles!

During the next Arab-Israeli war of 1982, on June 5, an AH-1 “Cobra” combat helicopter was shot down by an “Arrow” (pilots Amichai Spektor and Yossi Koehler were killed), on June 6, an A-4 “Skyhawk” attack aircraft (pilot, captain Aaron Akhiz was captured) and a Bell 212 helicopter (5 crew members were killed). The Israelis noted the fact that up to 50 Strela-2 missiles were fired at Akhiz’s plane, but only one hit. Until the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon in 2000, there were numerous cases of Strela-2 missiles being launched at Israeli planes and helicopters, but there were no more losses from them.

In general, according to Israeli estimates, from 1973 to 1988, Arabs and Russians used 6,825 Strela-2 M missiles, while only 10 Israeli planes and helicopters were shot down (2 F-4 E “Phantom”, 5 A-4 "Skyhawk" and "Super-Mister", 3 helicopters). The probability of a hit, taking into account damaged vehicles, was 0.15%.

Read: 130 mm installation SM-4-1

Such blatant, according to Israeli calculations, ineffectiveness of the Strela-2, explained by the low sensitivity of its seeker and the low weight of the warhead, nevertheless did not prevent the introduction of a large number of captured Soviet MANPADS into service in Israel. For a long time, this complex was the only type of MANPADS in Israel, and only by 1979 did the American Redeye complexes appear in service, and in 1989, the Stinger.

In numerous anti-colonial, ethnic and civil conflicts in Africa, Soviet MANPADS were also used very intensively, and here, too, statistical data on the effectiveness of Strels also sometimes differ by an order of magnitude. In the civil war in Angola, which has lasted since 1975, Strela MANPADS of various models (as well as the later Igla) were used by almost all warring parties: government and Cuban troops, as well as Namibian guerrillas of the SWAPO organization, on the one hand, and as trophies — formations of the UNITA movement and South African troops, on the other. Moreover, UNITA fighters, in addition to the Soviet Strels, also used Chinese analogues of the HN-5 C, as well as American Redeye and Stinger MANPADS.

According to South Africa, from 1978 to the beginning of 1988, 255 launches of Strela-2 MANPADS were recorded on aircraft of the Air Force of this country, 65% of which were on helicopters. 5 hits noted. An Impala attack aircraft was shot down, several Mirage aircraft and one Dakota transport aircraft were damaged. According to other sources, 450 missiles were fired and 9 aircraft were shot down. According to the UNITA organization, its air defense forces (mainly through the efforts of missile fighters) in the period from 1985 to 1986 alone shot down about 200 Cuban and government aircraft (MiG-21, MiG-23, An-26) and helicopters (Mi- 8, Mi-25, “Aluett III”), both military and civilian. And currently the number of MANPADS in UNITA formations is estimated at about two dozen.

During the guerrilla war of 1968–1979. In the former Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), rebels fighting against the white minority regime actively used Soviet MANPADS to fight Rhodesian civil aviation aircraft. So, on September 3, 1978, in the area of ​​Kariba airport, a twin-engine passenger aircraft was shot down (out of 56 passengers, only eight survived), on February 12 of the following year, in the area of ​​the same airport, another aircraft was shot down by two missiles five minutes after takeoff (5 were killed). crew members and 54 passengers). These losses forced the airline's management to remove turboprops from the line and instead use DC-3s with piston engines, the weak exhaust of which was not so attractive to the homing heads of the Soviet Strels.

In February-March 1990, the troops of the once great friend of the Soviet Union, Ethiopian ruler Mengistu Haile Mariam, suffered a heavy defeat from Eritrean rebels in the battles for the Eritrean capital, Asmara. The Ethiopian Air Force lost 3 aircraft from MANPADS launches: on February 28, a MiG-21, and on March 2, two MiG-23s.

In all cases, the pilots died. In the spring of 1991 (March 30 and May 14), on the eve of the collapse of the Mengistu regime, the rebel Strela shot down two more MiG-23s. After the collapse of Yugoslavia and the start of a series of numerous wars on its territory, the Strela-2 M and Igla MANPADS (and later the French Mistral and American Stinger) became the basis of the Croatian air defense, which at first had neither fighter aircraft nor an air force at all. With the help of these means (as well as anti-aircraft cannon artillery), by November 1991, 41 planes and helicopters were shot down (the Yugoslavs admitted the loss of only 30 flying assets by mid-1992). Oddly enough, Serbian MANPADS, which also countered the nascent Croatian Air Force, had practically no success at first: the first improvised Croatian squadron was formed at the Osijek airfield on the basis of a dozen An-2 agricultural biplanes, whose weak piston engine could not be reliably detected by the Soviet homing head rockets. Thus, unsuccessful launches of eight MANPADS missiles were recorded at one of the Croatian An-2s.

In 1992, the war engulfed Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the Bosnian Serbs, unlike the Croats, had a fairly respectable air force - several dozen combat aircraft and helicopters. The Croats stated that by mid-1992, with the help of anti-aircraft artillery and various types of MANPADS, five enemy planes and helicopters were shot down, as well as their own MiG-21 by mistake.

Soon, the losses of NATO forces were added to the losses of the warring parties. On September 3, 1992, an unknown person fired an “Strela” that was landing on a cargo plane of the Italian Air Force “Aeritalia” G-222, killing 5 crew members. And that was just the beginning. On April 11, 1994, an Arrow hit the nozzle and damaged the French reconnaissance aircraft Etendard IV (the plane managed to land safely at one of the Italian air bases). A similar incident occurred on April 15, only in this case the Strela damaged the right stabilizer of the Etendard, which managed to reach the deck of its aircraft carrier Clemenceau. On April 16, while trying to strike Serbian tanks in the Karlovac area, a British Sea Harrier attack aircraft was shot down by an Arrow (the pilot managed to eject).

On June 2, 1995, a US Air Force F-16C fighter was shot down by a Soviet-made air defense system in the Banja Luka area. The ejected pilot, Captain S.O. Grady, a pair of CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopters arrived to rescue. Fleeing from the Yugoslav "Arrows", they had to shoot thermal traps. On May 2, 1995, a Croatian Air Force MiG-21 was shot down near Stara Gradiska. The loss of the Mi-8 helicopter, destroyed by a Serbian missile on May 28 near the city of Cetingrad, caused great international resonance. Among those killed in this accident were the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Muslim government, three persons accompanying him, as well as three Russian contract workers from the crew.

Many aircraft were shot down by Soviet and Russian-made missiles in 1999 during the air operation of thirteen NATO countries against Yugoslavia, including the most modern Jaguars, F-16s and Mirage 2000s.

By the beginning of Operation Decisive Force, Yugoslav troops had relatively large numbers (850 units) of MANPADS of the Strela-2, Strela-2 M, Strela-3 and Igla-1 types. According to the then President of Yugoslavia Milosevic, during three weeks of air raids, 36 aircraft and 119 cruise missiles were shot down by the combined means of the country's air defense and air forces. The NATO command estimated its losses at 37 air targets, while Soviet systems were unable to save the country from defeat: during the first 14 days of the active phase of the air operation, many basic elements of Yugoslavia’s military infrastructure were suppressed. Nevertheless, based on the available facts, it can be argued that throughout the years of the war in the former Yugoslavia, the Strela-2/2 M and Igla MANPADS proved to be quite effective weapons and accounted for a fairly significant portion of the downed aircraft. There is also no doubt that the cost of even wasted missiles is incomparably small in relation to the losses caused. During Operation Desert Storm, according to some reports, Iraqi air defense forces shot down four Harrier fighter jets of the British Air Force, as well as an A-10 Thunderbolt attack aircraft and a Super Cobra helicopter using missiles from the Strela-2 M complex.

During the first Chechen war, there were cases of the use of Strela-2 M MANPADS in Chechnya by illegal armed groups. At the end of 1999, a Su-24 bomber was shot down by a Strela-2 M missile, one pilot was killed, and the second was captured, but was soon released. After the collapse of the USSR, the latest weapons almost uncontrollably found their way into the hands of various types of armed groups around the world. Quite significant numbers of Strela MANPADS are also used by Palestinian militants in their war with Israel. Thus, among the shipment of smuggled weapons intercepted by the Israeli Navy on May 6, 2001 on the Santorini ship, there were also 4 Strela-2 MANPADS.

According to news agencies, on November 28, 2002, 1.5 minutes after takeoff from the airport in Mombasa (Kenya), an Israeli Boeing 757 aircraft was fired from the ground, heading to Israel (Ben Gurion International Airport, Lod ) with 261 passengers and 10 crew members on board.

At the time of the attack, the plane was at an altitude of approximately 914 m above the ground. An explosion was felt on board, but they mistook it for a collision between the plane and a small bird.

Since all systems were working normally, the flight crew decided to continue the flight to Israel. Soon, the Kenyan police discovered two used Strela-2 M MANPADS 400 m from the fence of the Mombasa airfield. At 12 o'clock the Boeing landed safely at the airport.

"Strela-2": history of creation

In 1962, a secret military project began in the city of Kolomna. Its goal was to create a powerful portable strike system capable of hitting air and ground targets at short distances. The ideal solution to the problem at that time was the Strela-2 MANPADS. However, the installation's first baptism of fire was not as successful as expected. Many planes still returned to their airfields after being damaged. The reason was that the explosion power of the missile defense system was insufficient to cause serious destruction, especially if the hit occurred in the tail section. As a result, it was decided to carry out a targeted modernization of the installation. So in 1968, “Strela-2M” (MANPADS with the codification 9K32M) was born.

The modification made it possible to hit targets moving through the air at speeds of up to 950 km/h. The tests were successfully completed at the Donguz test site in 1970. Immediately after this, the MANPADS were put into service, and a few years later, export versions replenished the strike stocks of more than 60 countries.

Experienced MANPADS "Strela-2M"

Review of MANPADS "Strela-2" Review of MANPADS "Strela-3" Selection of photos of MANPADS "Strela-2M"

MANPADS "Strela-2M" - the Soviet man-portable anti-aircraft missile system "Strela-2M" is a modified version of the MANPADS "Strela-2". According to the nomenclature of the Soviet/Russian army it goes under the symbol GRAU-9K32, according to the classification of NATO countries it goes under the symbol SA-7B Grail (“grail” translation). MANPADS were adopted by the Soviet army and ATS countries in 1970. MANPADS "Strela-2M" is designed to destroy low-flying air targets on oncoming courses up to 550 km/h and catch-up courses up to 950 km/h. The targets can be jet aircraft, as well as piston aircraft and helicopters. MANPADS are not intended for firing at balloons and gliders, since they do not emit thermal energy. MANPADS allow you to fire at a target from armored vehicles and vehicles (trains, ships) moving at a speed of no more than 20 km/h. This allows you to protect columns of armored vehicles on the march. It is also possible to launch missiles from the roofs of buildings and swampy areas.

A frequent reason for modernization is a weak warhead that did not cause good damage to air targets. That is, the first combat launches during the Egypt-Israel conflict (1967-1970, “War of Attrition”), where it turned out that the warhead was weak, was a mistake, since the Strela-2 MANPADS was put into service in January 1968 , and tests of the experienced Strela-2M MANPADS began in September 1968, with trial launches in October 1969. During this time, much statistical data could not appear on the weak combat unit. And the most important argument is that the missile’s warhead weighing 1.17 kg (0.37 kg of explosives) remained the same. Officially, the modernization of Strela-2 began on September 2, 1968 by government decree. Simultaneously with this decree, work began on the creation of Strela-3 MANPADS with a deeply cooled seeker. Tests at the Donguz test site (military unit 33157, Orenburg region) were carried out from October 1969 to February 1970. The selection committee under the leadership of N.M. Orlova recognized the missile launches as successful. In the spring of 1970, the Strela-2 MANPADS was put into service.

After modernization, the following performance characteristics were improved:

• Automatic target acquisition and missile launch appeared; selection of moving targets against the background of natural interference (factory and boiler pipes, fires, etc.);
• The error of the anti-aircraft gunner when shooting at a target in the near zone has been eliminated;
• The missile speed was increased from 460 to 500 m/s, which made it possible to hit targets flying up to 260 m/s on catch-up courses and 150 m/s on head-on courses;
• The engagement distance in height has been increased from 1500 meters to 2300 meters;
• The thinning distance has been increased from 3400 meters to 4200 meters;
• Improved noise immunity of TGSN in cloudy skies;
• Tolerances for shooting in bad weather have been increased.

MANPADS device

The Strela-2M MANPADS consists of a tube with a 9M32 missile and a 9P58 launching and sighting mechanism. Rockets in pipes are stored 2 pieces in wooden boxes. The trigger-sighting mechanism is also stored in a separate wooden box.

Missile The missile consists of 4 compartments: head, steering, combat and propulsion. The head includes a TGSN designed to capture and track a target, generating control signals for missile guidance. The head (coordinator) perceives the target's thermal radiation, coordinates the missile's flight axis and the target's flight axis in automatic mode. The head is combined with a gyroscope. The steering compartment is designed to control the rocket using two folding rudders. In the steering compartment there is a powder-turbine electric generator that operates for 11-14 seconds due to the combustion of a powder bomb. Also in the steering compartment there is an angular velocity sensor to generate an electrical signal proportional to the oscillation speed of the rocket. The combat compartment contains a warhead weighing 1.3 kg (0.37 kg is the explosive). Impact detonator, electromechanical action. The detonator consists of two degrees of protection: the inertial one is switched off when the rocket launches sharply, and the pyrotechnic one is removed when the second engine powder bomb begins to burn at a distance of 140-250 meters after the rocket leaves the tube. After 11-14 seconds of flight, the rocket self-destructs through the explosion of the warhead. The engine compartment consists of an expelling charge in a glass, which fires the rocket from the tube at a speed of 30 m/s, giving it rotation around its axis up to 20 rps. It ensures the safety of the shooter during missile takeoff, so that the powder gases do not burn the anti-aircraft gunner before the first propulsion engine is turned on. The expelling charge burns out completely before leaving the pipe. After flying to a safe distance of 5.5 meters (0.3 seconds), a single-chamber dual-mode engine is turned on, which provides a flight speed of up to 500 m/s (1800 km/h).

Sighting and launching unit The control unit includes: power supply, trigger mechanism, electronics (information unit), unit for accelerating the rocket gyroscope, light and sound indicators of target acquisition. Disposable, removable power supply with direct current. When activated, the pyrotechnic heater melts the solid electrolyte. In less than 1.3 seconds, the power supply reaches operating mode and provides the PZRU with current for at least 40 seconds before starting. The trigger mechanism serves as a unit for housing the electronics, the accelerating unit of the gyroscope. It has electrical connectors and attachment mechanisms to the rocket.

Shot

Unlike Strela-2, its modification received automated and manual launch. Before firing, the rocket launcher removes the protective covers from the rocket tube, and after catching the target in the mechanical sight, activates the power source. The power source activates the control unit and TGSN of the rocket itself, the rotor of the rocket's gyroscope accelerates (before the shot we clearly hear its buzzing). When starting manually, the trigger is pressed to the first stop. After the target enters the TGSN zone, a sound signal is emitted and the signal lamp lights up. After the correct sound and light signal corresponding to the capture of the target, the anti-aircraft gunner presses to the first stop. The missile remembers the position of the target (begins to track it), the missile axis is formed and the TGSN begins to operate in automatic mode. To launch a missile, the anti-aircraft gunner presses the trigger, and the missile flies away. When launching a missile automatically, the anti-aircraft missile gunner, after aiming at the target, immediately activates the power source and immediately presses all the way, after which the launch process at the target occurs in automatic mode. Having flown off to 5, 5 meters, with the help of an expelling charge, the first mode of the main engine is activated, which accelerates the rocket in 1.73-2.25 seconds to the required speed of about 500 m/s with a passive flight of about 140-250 meters, after which the warhead and the rocket are activated enters control and guidance mode. The rocket begins to fly towards the target. The flight of a rocket can be affected by background light (warm clouds) in the sky, working smokestacks (factories, boiler houses, factories, etc.), and shooting of heat traps by aircraft. When it hits an airplane, the warhead detonates. The powder engine operates for approximately 4.65-6.83 seconds, during which time the rocket covers a distance of 2900 meters, after which the rocket flies to the target by inertia. If the missile does not hit, it will self-destruct in 14-17 seconds. If the target is lost from sight or the shot is canceled, the anti-aircraft gunner must replace the used power source and prepare the MANPADS for the next shot. After the shot, the anti-aircraft missile gunner monitors the flight of the missile, obtaining information from this (weather, background noise, target speed and altitude): gaining experience.

Pros:

• you can quickly arm troops and friendly countries;
• low price compared to air defense systems;
• mobility and speed of transfer by any type of transport;
• fire from vehicles on the move;
• combat crew of 1-2 people;
• shooting on catch-up and oncoming courses.
• "fire and forget"

Minuses:

• not everything is suitable;
• features of shooting depending on the weather;
• may be confused by false targets;
• weak warhead that does not cause proper damage;
• low probability of damage 0.11-0.25;
• only 40 seconds of power supply operation;
• unmasking trail after a rocket fire.

The combat crews of the Strela-2M and Strela-3 MANPADS began to be equipped with additional equipment to increase their combat effectiveness:

• radar interrogator 1RL247 for identifying air targets “friend or foe” (

  
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• Passive direction finder 9S13" search, often found under the symbol ERRS-1 or 1L64. The direction finder is capable of detecting air targets equipped with radar equipment at a distance of up to 60 km.
• radio stations R-147 "Acacia" "(

  
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  ) for communication with the command and other MANPADS crews at a distance of up to 1 km.

Combat use of MANPADS "Strela-2" and "Strela-2M"

The Strela-2 MANPADS received its first baptism of fire in Egypt during the 1967-1970 war against Israel, the “War of Attrition.” In just one day in August 1969, Strela-2 managed to shoot down 6 Israeli aircraft. From October 6 to October 232, 1973, during the Yom Kippur War, 23 Israeli aircraft were shot down by Egypt and Syria, and from April 8 to May 30, 1974, 8 Israeli aircraft were shot down. The percentage of missiles hit was 15-20%, which greatly weakened the military potential of the Israelis and also influenced the tactics of warfare.

Since 1971, "Arrows" ...began to be used in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos against American helicopters and aircraft. From April 28 to July 14, 1972, the Vietnamese managed to shoot down 14 aircraft and 10 helicopters belonging to the United States, using 161 missiles to achieve this goal. During the Vietnam War, 589 missiles were fired, 204 of which reached their target. After the collapse of the USSR, the use of Strela-2M MANPADS was recorded in Chechnya (1995-2001), in Syria against SAA aviation (2011-2018), and during the Iran-Iraq War (1980 and 1988). MANPADS "Strela-2M" participated in almost all military conflicts where aviation was used. Even the Soviet army had to suffer losses from its “brainchild” in Afghanistan, where more than 8 planes and helicopters were lost. MANPADS "Strela-2M" was supplied to the armies of the socialist camp and to friendly countries (about 40 countries of the world), and was also produced in Romania, China, and Egypt. Pakistan, Poland, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia.

TTX MANPADS "Strela-2M" / 9K32M

Purpose

This MANPADS is an extremely effective means of air defense both on the march and on the field. The portable installation is capable of hitting helicopters and airplanes even at extremely low altitudes. One of the main advantages of the Strela-2 MANPADS is its relatively light weight and small dimensions, which allows it to be easily transported by one person. Thanks to this, the installation can be used in such difficult locations as swamps, forests and mountains. 9K32 and its modification are intended for the defense of motorized rifle battalions. Protection is provided by covering command and strong points from low-flying enemy targets, including cruise missiles. A projectile is launched in pursuit of an airborne object when it is visually detected by the shooter. A volley can be fired from a standing position, from a trench, from a kneeling position, or from moving armored vehicles. Due to its mobility and effectiveness, MANPADS have long been considered the main personal tactical-strike weapon of the Soviet army.

Small weapons, big problems

Due to their availability, simplicity and high efficiency, MANPADS have become widespread throughout the world. This lightweight, mobile means of combating air targets is used today not only in state armies, but also in various unofficial armed formations. The characteristics of missiles and the range of destruction are growing, which makes MANPADS a very formidable weapon. At the same time, means of countering its missiles are quite expensive and difficult to produce.

In October of this year, the Rostec State Corporation announced that the Mechanical Engineering Design Bureau has begun developing a new extended-range MANPADS that will exceed the current maximum of 5–6 km. Kolomna designers are already working to increase the sensitivity of the missile head, which will lead to a higher probability of hitting small targets. Such targets include cruise missiles, various drones and loitering munitions, which are also called suicide drones. It is not yet known whether this will be a new complex or a modification of the existing Verba.

"Strela-2": composition

The original and modified installations consisted of three parts identical in configuration: a homing missile system of the 9M32 series, a trigger mechanism and a power source. The Strela-2 MANPADS was considered the fastest-firing personal anti-aircraft weapon in the world. Already 1.5 seconds after pressing the trigger, the rocket is launched. After a few seconds, the projectile hit a target at a distance of up to 4 kilometers. In case of a miss, the charge self-destructed 17 s after launch.

The Strela-2M installation is a MANPADS with improved characteristics of target acquisition and destruction. After modernization, the seeker and projectile launch processes were automated. This made it easier for the anti-aircraft gunner to capture a fast-flying object. Target detection selection in natural interference has also been improved. During modernization, it became possible to destroy objects on a collision course. In addition, the area of ​​destruction of jet aircraft was increased. The main component of the new installation was the thermal seeker, which was distinguished by its noise immunity. Thanks to it, the MANPADS is capable of capturing a target even in cumulus clouds up to 3 points. However, the complex was still vulnerable to the heat traps of aircraft.

Where is the weapon used?

Since its creation, the complex has been involved in several local conflicts. Our air defense systems were used by the Libyan army during the war with Chad. With its help, Iraqi troops successfully controlled airspace during Operation Desert Storm. The civil war in Angola also became a place for the active use of this anti-aircraft complex. Today, Strela-10 is in Russian service. Many modifications have been created based on this air defense system. Their total number is approximately 500 units.

Performance characteristics

The range of destruction of objects is limited to 3.4 km, when the modification with the letter “M” allows you to attack targets at a distance from 800 to 4200 m. As for the maximum permissible flight altitude of the projectile, it lies in the range of up to 2300 m. Free speed varies from 430 to 500 m/s. Targets are hit in pursuit at an average speed of 240 m/s, towards targets - up to 150 m/s.

The missile is represented by the 9M32 type or its modification. Caliber – 72 mm. The projectile length is 1.44 meters and weighs 9.5 kg. The mass of the complex itself is about 5 kg. An experienced anti-aircraft gunner will need only 10 seconds to prepare for launch.

"Strela-3": history and purpose

A new model of the Soviet MANPADS "Strela" came out to the masses in the mid-70s. The installation is known by its codification 9K34 and the US classification - SA-14 Gremlin. The basis of the modification was the new 9M36 series missile, which was equipped with a special infrared capture head and phase-modulated helical amplitude scanning. This ensured resistance to natural and radio interference. The Strela-3 MANPADS was distinguished by its flight speed and missile maneuverability. Also, during the modernization, a noise-resistant cooling system was introduced into the GOS. That is, now target acquisition could be carried out even in rainy weather. This fact developed the production of the model to numerous export orders.

Development of the 9K34 started in the early 70s, but for a long time the installation did not pass all tests. In May 1973, the MANPADS finally showed its best sides, and a few months later it was put into service. At the end of the 70s, the complex was exported. MANPADS have been repeatedly supplied in large quantities to countries such as Angola, Vietnam, El Salvador, Jordan, India, North Korea, Iraq, Cuba, Nicaragua, Syria, Peru, Libya, UAE, South Africa. In Europe, the installation was on the balance sheet of Hungary, the GDR, Finland, Yugoslavia, and Czechoslovakia. The only country other than the USSR that had a license to produce weapons was Poland.

Modifications

"Strela-10M" 9K35 M

The main difference between the complex and the basic version was the use of new homing heads for 9K37M missiles. The new seeker calculated the target based on trajectory characteristics, which significantly reduced the effectiveness of jamming decoys.

"Strela-10M2"

The air defense missile system was created by decision of the MOP and GRAU. The reason was the urgent need to improve the degree of automation of the complex’s combat operations. The main difference was the presence of devices for automated reception and implementation of target designation from the PU-12M battery command post, from the detection radar and the control post of the air defense chief. Polyurethane foam floats were installed on the sides of the combat vehicle to overcome water obstacles with a machine gun and a full set of missiles. In 1981, the complex was put into service.

"Strela-10M3" 9K35M

By decision of the Council of Ministers of the USSR on April 1, 1983, engineers began developing a subsequent modification of the Strela-10 air defense system. The new air defense system should conduct a more effective fight against visually visible low-flying helicopters and airplanes, from a standstill and during short stops in conditions of intense optical interference. After tests in 1989, the complex entered service because it satisfied absolutely all the requirements placed on it.

"Strela-10M4" 9K35M4

The air defense system includes a thermal imaging system and an automated control system. The spectral range of the thermal imaging channel is 3-5 microns. The complex allows firing according to the following “fire and forget” principle. The armament includes eight 9M333 missiles (9M37MD, 9M37M). The speed of the targets hit is up to 420 meters per second.

"Strela-10MN"

Domestic modification, which was created by JSC Design Bureau of Precision Engineering named after. A.E. Nudelman" to improve the following RZK "Strela-10M3, "Strela-10M2", "Strela-10M". The complex is equipped with a thermal imaging system, automatic target acquisition and tracking, as well as a scanning unit. Since 2015, it has been supplied to the Airborne Forces and Air Defense Forces of the North.

"Strela-10T"

Belarusian modification, which was created by NPO Tetrahedr on the basis of Strela-10M2. The complex is equipped with an OES-1TM optical-electronic system, GPS navigation equipment and a digital computer system. The complex can be placed on a wheeled chassis.

SAM 9M333

The new anti-aircraft guided missile for the Strela-10 air defense system, just like the 9M37, is created using a canard aerodynamic design. The missile is equipped with a transport and launch container and a high-efficiency engine. In addition, the missile has a new homing head, warhead and autopilot. The new seeker has 3 operating modes, in addition to photored and infrared, there is an interference mode. The autopilot ensures stable operation of the seeker, as well as the missile control loop. The new warhead weighs 5 kg (the 9M37 missile defense system weighed 3 kg). By increasing the explosive projectile, cross-section and length of the striking elements, the probability of hitting targets is increased. The length of the rocket was increased to 2.23 meters. Just like the 9M37 missiles, the 9M333 missile can be used by all modifications of the Strela-10 air defense system.

"Strela-3": composition

The portable installation includes: a 9P58 series launcher, a 9M36 missile defense system, a 1RL247 ground interrogator, a 9S13 passive direction finder and an R-147 radio station. The main striking force of the Strela-3M MANPADS and the original model is the 9M36 missile. It is made according to the “Duck” scheme and is a combination of 4 fastened compartments: engine, combat, steering and head. Control of the projectile is achieved by rotating at a speed of 20 rpm when converting a three-dimensional signal from the thermal sensor of the seeker. It is worth noting that the aerodynamic control surfaces are located in the same plane. When launched, the feather stabilizers deploy, lifting away from the tube nozzles.

On the installation body there is an electronic unit, a fuse, a telephone, a connector plug, a contact group and a trigger. Targeting is carried out by a gyroscope and a radio station, then the data is processed by a direction finder.

Performance characteristics

The new model of the complex is similar to the previous version only in terms of preparation time for a salvo and self-destruction, as well as the 72 caliber. Otherwise, the third Strela MANPADS has much better characteristics. The length of the rocket was reduced to 1.25 m with a weight of 10 kg. On the other hand, the weight of the complex itself increased due to new components and amounted to more than 6 kg. "Strela-3" is capable of hitting objects at a distance of 500 to 4500 meters. Possible vertical flight altitude varies up to 3 km. The flight speed of the charge in pursuit is 310 m/s, towards the target - 230 m/s. Thanks to the new improved model, the anti-aircraft gunner was able to hit even a fighter-class aircraft. The probability of destroying such a target with one missile is estimated at 33%.

"Strela-10": purpose

This installation is a mobile anti-aircraft missile system with codification 9K35. In NATO documentation it is designated as SA-13 Gopher. The 9K35 model is designed to detect and neutralize airborne objects at low altitudes. The striking part of the complex was based on Strela-3.

Back in 1969, the CPSU Central Committee decided to create mobile tracked installations in parallel with the first MANPADS. Strela-10, whose characteristics made it the most mobile and multifunctional combat base of the USSR, passed tests without problems and very soon joined the arsenal of the Soviet army. The strike part of the complex consisted of 9M37 missiles, capable of operating in a 2-channel guidance mode. The Strela-10 installation was successfully used in combat operations in Angola and the Persian Gulf.

About the chassis of the complex

Unlike the 9K31 project, the MT-LB tracked tractor is used to construct the chassis of the Strela-10 air defense system. The presence of a torsion bar suspension ensures low pressure on the ground surface and high maneuverability of the complex. The introduction of a tracked chassis made it possible for the air defense missile system to easily travel both on the highway and on roads that do not have a hard surface: on sand, snow, water and swampy terrain.

The complex has a smooth and maneuverable ride. In addition, the use of such a chassis had a positive effect on the transported ammunition. The number of anti-aircraft guided missiles was increased to eight units. The place for them was the launcher and cargo compartment of the MT-LB. While working on the chassis of the air defense system, the designers had to modify the instrumentation, since the use of a tracked chassis created very powerful vibration for it.