The Buk M2 is a universal anti-aircraft missile system designed to protect ground facilities and troops from air strikes, including defense against cruise missiles. The air defense system is known in international indexing as 9K317. According to the American classification, the complex is designated SA-17 Grizzly or simply "Grizzly-17".
History of Creation
Initially, there was controversy about the development of only the 9K37 project, but over time, more powerful modifications were proposed by military engineers. Their goal was to defeat up to 24 objects at the same time. The Buk M2 project (a photo of the complex can be seen in this article) was launched. During the first year of development, Russian designers managed to achieve amazing results. The once-invulnerable F-15 aircraft became an easy target for the 9K317, even at a distance of 40 km. The range of destruction of cruise missiles increased to 26 km. One of the main advantages of the complex was the time of its deployment and shelling. The first indicator was only 5 minutes, and the rate of fire was 4 seconds for 1 projectile at a speed of up to 1100 m / s. Such a complex was immediately accepted forweapons of the Soviet Union. However, since the early 1990s, wide production has been stopped due to the difficult economic situation in the country after the collapse of the USSR. In 2008, the air defense system joined the ranks of the Russian air defense.
Development Features
The Buk M2 complex is a highly mobile and multifunctional air defense system with a medium range. It is designed to destroy strategic and combat aviation objects (airplanes, helicopters, missiles and other aerodynamic devices). The 9K317 is capable of resisting enemy forces even with a continuous fire attack.
The main developer of the strike machine is the well-known designer of the Research Institute of Instrument Engineering E. Pigin. Under his leadership, the air defense system received an independent implementation project. Previously, the development of the complex was intended to partially replace the unusable mobile anti-aircraft installations "Cube". The fundamental difference from the Buk M1 was the introduction of a new universal missile 9M317 into the BC. For a long time, the M2 model remained without modification. And only in 2008 the complex was improved. Gradually, export variations began to appear with the letter “E” at the end of the codification.
Tactical and technical characteristics
The total combat weight of the vehicle is 35.5 tons. At the same time, the crew is limited to only 3 people. The complex is sheathed with bulletproof armor. According to the performance characteristics of the Buk M2, first of all, it is distinguished by engine power, which is 710 hp. This makes it possible to move at speeds up to 45 km / h over rough terrain. The transport part is presentedwheeled or tracked chassis.
The Buk M2's characteristics of combat equipment are surprising. The air defense system can fire both under the control of operators and autonomously. In turn, the command post processes data on the air situation simultaneously for 50 targets in a matter of seconds. Detection and identification is carried out by special stations SOC, RPN and SOU.
When fully equipped, the air defense system provides a one-time shelling of 24 flying objects at altitudes from 150 m to 25 km. The range of hitting targets at a speed of 830 m/s is up to 40 km, at 300 m/s - up to 50 km. Ballistic and cruise missiles will be easily neutralized at a distance of up to 20,000 m.
One of the striking advantages of the complex is its accuracy. The probability of hitting aviation is 95%, missiles - 80%, light helicopters - 40%. The reaction time of the air defense system is also noted - only 10 seconds. Aerosol curtains, laser sensors and radiation screens can be distinguished from defensive means. Data exchange between air defense stations is provided via two-wire lines or a radio signal.
Target engagement characteristics
The Buk M2 air defense system is capable of neutralizing enemy flying objects moving at speeds up to 830 m/s. However, according to experts, 420 m/s is the most likely optimal lesion rate. As for the minimum speed threshold, it varies between 48-50 m/s. The modernized model of the complex, produced in 2008, has an integrated striker capable of destroying ballistic missiles.rockets flying at speeds up to 1200 m/s.
An important characteristic when attacking is the identification of the enemy. So "Buk M2" can determine the reflective surfaces of aircraft with an area of 2 square meters. m., missiles - from 0.05 sq. m. During the maneuver, the SAM is capable of attacking 10 aerodynamic units at once.
Combat and tactical equipment
The base is equipped with one 3S510 command post, a target indication and detection station with the 9S18M1-3 codification, from 4 to 6 modernized 9S36 guidance and illumination radars, up to 6 9A317 self-propelled strike systems, 6 or 12 launcher-charging systems 9A316. The anti-aircraft guided missile of the 9M317 series was given special attention. The Buk M2 provides for the possibility of using shock sections based on the SDA, PZU and on-load tap-changer. They provide simultaneous shelling of 4 objects with a relief height of up to 20 m. In the basic and export configuration of the air defense system there are 2 such sections, in the upgraded version - 4.
Change of basing position requires no more than 20 seconds. At the same time, the readiness time for each of the sections varies from 5 to 15 minutes.
Firepower
The 9M317 missile is the most formidable weapon of the Buk M2 air defense system. The range of destruction of missiles is 50 km. At the same time, the missile is capable of destroying a target hovering in the air at an altitude of 25 km. An inertial control system with semi-active radar GOS version 9E420 is integrated into the installation. The rocket itself has a mass of 715 kg. The flight speed is 1230 m/s. Wingspan reaches 0,86 m. The explosion covers a radius of 17 m.
The complex also includes the 9A317 caterpillar installation. It allows you to timely detect, recognize and monitor an air target. After analyzing the type of aircraft, 9A317 develops a solution to the problem of destruction and launches a rocket. During the flight, the installation not only transmits commands to the warhead, but also preliminarily evaluates the results of the attack. Fire can be fired autonomously in a given sector or as part of an air defense system after specifying a target from a command post. This allows you to detect targets at a distance of 20 km with a maneuver angle of up to 70 degrees. At the same time, the station is able to scan 10 objects. The shelling can be carried out on the 4 highest priority targets. Also, the installation is equipped with an optical system of television and matrix channels. This allows you to monitor the airspace under any climatic conditions and radio interference. The weight of the installation is 35 tons. In combat configuration - 4 missiles.
The 9A316 launch-charging system is based on tracked chassis. During transportation, it is towed on a wheeled trailer. Its mass is 38 tons. The package includes 8 launchers. A self-loading device is built into the system.
Controls and controls
Fundamental in the air defense system is the command post with the 9S510 codification. It is based on the tracked chassis of the GM597 series. Transportation over long distancescarried out by a KrAZ tractor on a wheeled semi-trailer. The checkpoint serves up to 60 destinations. The maximum number of studied targets is up to 36. The item includes 6 controlled sections, the reaction time of which varies within 2 seconds. Weight 9S510 is 30 tons when fully equipped. The crew consists of 6 people. The 9S36 radar is equipped with an antenna installation rising to a height of 22 m, which provides localization and identification of targets even in wooded areas. The radar is based on an electronic phased array scanner. The station moves on a tracked chassis. Target detection is possible in a range of up to 120 km. It is worth noting the tracking radius - up to 35 km. Simultaneous tracking of 10 objects at wind speeds up to 32 m/s. Crew capacity - up to 4 people.
The 9S18M1-3 radar is a 3-coordinate pulse-coherent centimeter-range survey installation. Based on an electron beam scanner of a vertical plane. The radar is designed to study the airspace. The received data is instantly transmitted via telecode line to the command post for further processing. An antenna with a waveguide phased array is used. Target detection azimuth - 360 degrees with a range of 160 km. The installation is based on tracked chassis. Weight - 30 tons.
Application and opportunities
Modern 9K317s are capable of delivering intense strikes against unmanned high-velocity warheads from multiple directions at once. The complex meets such important criteria asmobility, versatility, fire performance, instant reaction, attack variability, autonomy of detection and defense systems 9K317 is capable of solving a wide range of tasks. This makes it indispensable for reconnaissance or attacking the enemy from the air, even at extremely low altitudes.
The tasks of the air defense system include keeping enemy targets at a maximum distance from protected objects, eliminating interference, risk analysis, building an algorithm for a possible attack, etc..
Comparison of upgrades
The Buk M1 version was put into service in 1982. The air defense system could shoot down aircraft with an accuracy of up to 60%, ALCM class cruise missiles - up to 40%, helicopters - up to 30%. The possibility of intercepting ballistic warheads soon arose. In the course of refinement in 1993, the 9M317 installation was introduced. For a long time, the M1 vehicles remained out of reach in the international military space.
The newest version of the Buk M3 air defense system should be put into service only in the fall of 2015. After the success of the M2 model in the international arena, the Russian government allocated a round sum for the implementation of the modernized project. It is expected that the Buk M3 will be able to attack up to 36 targets, piloted at a speed of 3000 m/s. The recognition range will vary up to 70 km. Such results will be possible thanks to the updated 9M317M launcher and improved seeker.
Export issue
The Russian Federation is armed with about 300 air defense systems of the M2 model. Most of thethey are based at the Alkino and Kapustin Yar training grounds.
The largest number of export Buk M2Es is located in Syria. In 2011, 19 systems were delivered from Russia to the local army. Venezuela has 2 air defense systems on its balance sheet. How many complexes Azerbaijan, Ukraine and Iraq have is unknown.
