Buk-M1 Credit - © Mark Wade

Universal multimodal surface-to-air missile complex for use by the PVO, PRO, and coastal defence units, capable of intercepting highly manoeuvrable tactical and strategic aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, naval vessels, fixed land targets, and air-to-surface missiles.

In 1994-1997 the VPK issued several resolutions calling for development of a universal multimodal surface-to-air missile complex for use by the PVO, PRO, and coastal defence units. This was the Buk-M1-2, developed by NIIP Tikhomirov, using the ZAO Krot-M developed by the Ulyanovsk Machine Works. This was capable of intercepting highly manoeuvrable tactical and strategic aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, naval vessels, fixed land targets, and air-to-surface missiles, even under intense jamming and in the face of enemy countermeasures. The system would provide six flight-guidance beams for the missiles simultaneously, guaranteeing the destruction of any target within range. The Buk-M1-2 consisted of: a KP command post vehicle; the 50Ts search/track/guidance station; six SOU self-propelled missile launchers, each with 4 missiles on launch rails and 4 reloads on transport rails); three reloading vehicles; and the 9M317 surface-to-air missile. The system used a new-concept guidance system, which realistic tests showed to be effective against the entire range of intended targets.

Maximum target speed 3600 kph. 4 missiles per launcher. 5 minutes to set up after arrival or to depart after launch.

Vehicles:

• 9S470/9S470M1/9S470M2 Command Post vehicle
• SOT Target Acquisition radar vehicle
• 9A310/9A310M19A310M2 TELAR with 4 missiles
• 9A38 TELAR with 4 missiles-can use Buk or Kub missiles
• 9A39/9A39M1/9A39M2 loader-launcher vehicle with 8 missiles

Radars: 9S117M1 Kupol-2 Snow Drift target acquisition radar, range 100 km. 9S35M2 Fire Dome target tracking radar, H/I band, range 120 km.

Total Mass: 710 kg (1,560 lb). Core Diameter: 0.40 m (1.31 ft). Total Length: 5.55 m (18.20 ft). Span: 1.10 m (3.60 ft). Standard warhead mass: 70 kg (154 lb). Maximum range: 48 km (29 mi). Boost Propulsion: Solid rocket, dual thrust. Guidance: Semi-active radar homing. Maximum speed: 4,320 kph (2,680 mph). Minimum range: 3.00 km (1.80 mi). Ceiling: 25,000 m (82,000 ft). Floor: 15 m (49 ft).

Naval version of Buk-M1-2.

Radars: Snow Drift Mod target acquisition radar, band, range 160 km. Giraffe Chair Back B target tracking radar, range 120 km. Chair Back A target tracking radar, range 120 km.

Location: Moscow. Total Mass: 720 kg (1,580 lb). Core Diameter: 0.40 m (1.31 ft). Total Length: 5.55 m (18.20 ft). Span: 1.10 m (3.60 ft). Maximum range: 50 km (31 mi). Boost Propulsion: Solid rocket, dual thrust. Guidance: Semi-Active Radar Homing.

• Parsch, Andreas, DesignationSystems.Net, . Outstanding, unique reference for aircraft, missiles, propulsion, and avionics systems. Accessed at: http://www.designation-systems.net/.

• Yeftifyev, M D, Iz istorii sozdaniya zenito-raketnovo shchita rossii, Vuzovskaya kniga, Moscow, 2000. Comprehensive history of development of the development of surface-to-air and anti-ballistic missiles in the Soviet Union, with summaries of work in other countries as well. Accessed at: http://www.eastview.com/xq/ASP/sku=A2010232/f_locale=/Evtif'ev/MD/Moskva/Russia/Russian/qx/russian/books/product.asp.