The Buk M2 is a universal anti-aircraft missile system designed to protect ground targets and troops from air strikes, including defense against cruise missiles. SAM 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 a debate 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 a time. The Buk M2 project (photo of the complex can be seen in this article) was launched. For the first year of development, Russian designers managed to achieve amazing results. The once-invulnerable F-15 aircraft became a simple 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 - 4 seconds for 1 projectile at a speed of up to 1100 m / s. Such a complex was immediately adopted by the Soviet Union. However, since the beginning of the 1990s, large-scale 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 Russian air defense.
Development Features
The Buk M2 complex is a highly mobile and multifunctional air defense system with an average range of destruction. It is intended for the destruction of strategic and military aviation objects (airplanes, helicopters, missiles and other aerodynamic devices). 9K317 is able to withstand enemy forces even during a continuous fire attack.
The main designer of the percussion machine is the famous designer of the Scientific Research Institute of Instrument Engineering E. Pigin. Under his leadership, the air defense missile system received an independent implementation project. Previously, the development of the complex was intended to partially replace the “Cube” mobile anti-aircraft installations unsuitable for use. The fundamental difference from the Buk M1 was the introduction of the new 9M317 universal missile into the composition of 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.
The performance characteristics
The total combat weight of the machine is 35.5 tons. Moreover, the crew is limited to only 3 people. The complex is sheathed with bulletproof armor. According to the specifications, the Buk M2 is primarily distinguished by engine power, which is 710 hp. This makes it possible to travel at speeds of up to 45 km / h over rough terrain. The transport part is represented by wheeled or tracked chassis.
Surprise the "Buk M2" characteristics of combat equipment. SAM can fire both under the control of operators and autonomously. In turn, the command post in a matter of seconds processes data on the air situation simultaneously for 50 targets. Detection and identification is carried out by special stations SOC, RPN and SOU.
When fully equipped, the air defense system provides a one-time bombardment of 24 aircraft at altitudes from 150 m to 25 km. The range of destruction of 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 can easily be neutralized at a distance of up to 20, 000 m.
One of the striking advantages of the complex is its accuracy. The probability of defeating aviation is 95%, missiles - 80%, light helicopters - 40%. The reaction time of the air defense system is also noted - only 10 seconds. From defensive means aerosol curtains, laser sensors and irradiation screens can be distinguished.
Data exchange between air defense systems is provided via two-wire lines or a radio signal.
Target hit characteristics
SAM Buk M2 is able to neutralize enemy flying objects moving at a speed of up to 830 m / s. However, according to experts, the best indicator of damage is most likely to be 420 m / s. As for the minimum speed threshold, it varies between 48-50 m / s. An upgraded model of the complex of the year 2008 is integrated with a drum kit capable of destroying ballistic missiles flying at a speed of up to 1200 m / s.
An important characteristic in an attack is the identification of the adversary. So “Buk M2” can determine the reflective surfaces of aircraft with an area of 2 square meters. m., missiles - from 0.05 square meters. m
During the maneuver, the air defense system is capable of attacking 10 aerodynamic units at once.
Combat and tactical means
The base configuration includes one command post 3С510, a target indication and detection station with 9С18М1-3 coding, from 4 to 6 modernized 9С36 guidance and illumination radars, up to 6 9A317, 6 or 12 self-propelled strike systems 9A316. Special attention was given to the 9M317 anti-aircraft guided missile.
The Buk M2 provides for the possibility of using shock sections based on SDAs, ROMs and on-load tap-changers. They provide a one-time shelling of 4 objects with a relief height of up to 20 m. There are 2 such sections in the basic and export air defense systems, and in the modernized version - 4.
Changing the basing position requires no more than 20 seconds. At the same time, the readiness of each section 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. In this case, the rocket is capable of destroying a target floating in the air at an altitude of 25 km. An inertial control system with semi-active radar seeker version 9E420 is integrated into the installation. The rocket itself has a mass of 715 kg. The flight speed is 1230 m / s. The wingspan reaches 0.86 m. The explosion covers a radius of 17 m.
The complex also includes a crawler unit 9A317. It allows you to timely detect, recognize and monitor the air target. After analyzing the type of aircraft 9A317 produces a solution to the problem of destruction and launches a rocket. During the flight, the installation not only transfers commands to the warhead, but also pre-evaluates the results of the attack. Fire can be conducted autonomously in a given sector or as part of an air defense system after indicating a target from a command post.
The radar station of the 9A317 installation has a phased array antenna with the possibility of electron beam scanning. 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 conducted on 4 of the highest priority targets. Also, the installation is equipped with an optical system of television and matrix channels. This allows you to monitor the airspace in all climatic conditions and radio interference. The weight of the installation is 35 tons. In combat configuration - 4 missiles.
The 9A316 start-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 launch missiles. A self-loading device is built into the system.
Controls and controls
Fundamental in the air defense system is the command post with codification 9С510. It is based on the crawler chassis of the GM597 series. Transportation over long distances is carried out by the KrAZ tractor on a wheeled semi-trailer. KP serves up to 60 units of directions. The maximum number of targets to be studied is up to 36. The section includes 6 controlled sections, the reaction time of which varies within 2 seconds. Weight 9C510 is 30 tons with a full set. The crew includes 6 people.
The 9C36 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 scanner with a phased array. The station moves on a tracked chassis. Target detection is possible in the 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 installation for viewing the centimeter range. It is based on an electron beam scanner of a vertical plane. The radar is designed to study airspace. The received data is instantly transmitted via a telecode line to a command post for further processing. An antenna with a phased array waveguide 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 features
The modern 9K317 are capable of carrying out intensive strikes on unmanned high-speed warheads from several directions at once. The complex meets such important criteria as mobility, multifunctionality, fire performance, instant response, attack variability, autonomy of detection and defense systems.
Most often, air defense systems are used to protect particularly significant objects and locations of troops. 9K317 is capable of solving a wide range of problems. This makes it indispensable for reconnaissance or attack of the enemy from the air, even at extremely low altitudes.
The objectives of an air defense system include keeping enemy targets at a maximum distance from protected objects, eliminating interference, analyzing risk, building an algorithm for a possible attack, etc.
Comparison of upgrades
The Buk M1 version was adopted in 1982. SAM could shoot down aircraft with an accuracy of 60%, cruise missiles of the ALCM class - up to 40%, helicopters - up to 30%. Soon there was the possibility of intercepting ballistic warheads. During refinement in 1993, the 9M317 installation was introduced. For a long time, the M1 devices remained inaccessible in the international military space.
The newest version of the Buk M3 air defense system should be adopted 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 manned at a speed of 3000 m / s. Recognition range will vary up to 70 km. Such results will be possible thanks to the updated installation launch 9M317M and advanced GOS.
