In the 1970s, NATO countries came into possession of several upgraded anti-ship high-speed missiles made with modern technology. Equipped with homing heads, capable of flying at a low altitude above the surface of the water, these installations posed a serious threat to enemy ships. In order to successfully resist NATO high-speed missiles, Soviet designers manufactured the Kortik anti-aircraft missile and artillery system.
Who designed ZRAK?
Design work on the Kortik missile and artillery complex began in the late 1970s. The design was carried out at the KBP in the city of Tula. Serial production of the Kortik complex was carried out by the workers of the Tula Machine-Building Plant. The radar system was manufactured at the radio engineering enterprise in Serpukhov, and the combat equipment was manufactured at the F. V. Lukin Research Institute for Physical Problems. Anti-aircraft missile and artillery complex "Kortik" (GRAU 3M87), also known as ZRAK "Kashtan" (export name), entered service in 1989.
Purpose
The plans of Soviet designers were to replace obsolete anti-aircraft systems with a new anti-aircraft complex "Kortik". To do this, it was necessary to eliminate the problems inherent in the old shipboard air defense systems. In order for the Kortik to successfully counter NATO high-speed missiles, it must have:
- improved capabilities in the field of target detection and tracking, including high-speed ones;
- increased ammunition;
- fast reload;
- increased probability of hitting the target.
Progress of work
During the design, Soviet designers decided not to limit themselves to the creation of a purely artillery or purely anti-aircraft missile system. In their opinion, new weapons should have the best qualities of these two defense systems in combination. At one time, Tula designers had already assembled a similar system, known as the land-based Tunguska SAM. "Kortik" - an anti-aircraft missile and artillery system - was designed taking into account the existing developments from the "Tunguska". When assembling a new ZRAK, the designers used ready-made nodes. Some of them were completely, without change, transferred to"Dirk". The missile system, however, contains most of the elements that had to be redesigned.
Feature of the structure of the new ZRAK
The Kortik anti-aircraft missile and artillery system can be equipped with one or two command modules containing a radar station and a digital control system. For a small ship, one combat module is intended, which has missiles and guns, and for a large destroyer or cruiser - several, with a whole set of various anti-aircraft weapons. If necessary, combat modules (3S87) can be installed on any part of the deck. One module, without ammunition, weighs 9 thousand 500 kg, with ammunition - 12 thousand kg. For its installation, a special rotary platform has been developed that allows you to aim weapons horizontally. The upper part of the module is equipped with radar and optoelectronic stations responsible for aiming at the target. The side surfaces of the platform became the location of guns and missiles.
Armaments
ZRAK "Dagger" is equipped with:
- 9M311-1 anti-aircraft guided two-stage solid-propellant missiles with fragmentation-rod warheads and non-contact target sensors.
- Two six-barreled anti-aircraft guns AO-18K caliber 30 mm, capable of aimed fire at a distance of 2-4 km.
- Command module that performs target detection, distribution and issuing instructions for combat modules.
- One or six combat modules. They receive target designations coming from command modules, perform automatictracking the target and carrying out shelling with the help of both rocket and artillery weapons.
- A special system responsible for the storage and reloading of ship weapons. This system is a container in which combat modules are lifted and placed in the cellar.
In order to protect rockets from powder gases, there are special cylindrical casings on gun barrels. The ZRAK "Kortik" uses auger linkless supply of projectiles. The complex is fully automated.
Tactical and technical characteristics
ZRAK "Dirk" is designed to hit targets in two zones:
Missiles:
1) 1km 500m – 8km;
2) 5 km – 3 km 500 m.
Artillery:
1) 500 m - 4 km;
2) 5 m - 3 km.
- The rate of fire of ZRAK is 10,000 rounds in one minute.
- Reaction time 8 sec.
- The accuracy of the radar guidance channel is within two to three meters.
- Kortik is characterized by a high probability of defeat: 94-99%.
Who uses the complex?
The carriers of the ZRAK "Kortik" were:
- Heavy nuclear missile cruisers Peter the Great and Admiral Nakhimov.
- Heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov.
- Guarding Patrol Ship.
Also, the Kortik ZRAK is used by the Neustrashimy and Yaroslav the Wise patrol ships, as well asand the Talwar frigate.
Export version of the anti-aircraft complex
In the 90s, the "Chestnut" ZRAK appeared, which practically does not differ from its basic version - "Kortika". The only difference is that the Kortik complex is used only by the Russian Navy, and the Kashtan air defense system is intended specifically for export. The Indian military became the buyers of this version of the anti-aircraft complex. The Indian Navy uses Project 1135, 6 frigates. One combat and one command module is attached to such a frigate. During 2003-2013, ten such vessels of project 1135, 6 were sold to India, with the Kashtan air defense system installed on them.
Conclusion
ZRAK "Kortik" is used by the Russian Navy to protect ships and stationary objects from enemy high-frequency anti-ship missiles. This ZRAK is very effective for shooting at small sea and ground targets.
