Buk-M1 Credit - © Mark Wade

Naval system using the Buk surface-to-air missile.

At the end of the1970's, NPO Altair under G N Volgin developed the mid-range naval Shtil (Uragan) surface-to-air missile which was deployed on a wide range of naval vessels. NPO Altair was previously the All-Union State Institute for Telemechanics and Communications, and before that NII-10, where the Volna, the first Soviet surface-to-air missile, was developed. The Shtil was a multi-target, modular design with high military availability and reliability. The missile didn't rely on the ship's search-tracking radar for homing but rather used triangulation from three receivers to home on the radiation being emitted by the radars, data-links, or other communications of attacking anti-ship missiles or aircraft. The system had a reaction time of six seconds and could be used on ships of 1500 tonnes or larger, equipped with three-dimensional 360 degree observation radars. The system was also equipped with a backup television-optical guidance mode for use in the case of jamming, stealthy, or non-emitting targets. A single vessel could be equipped with between 24 and 96 of the 9M38 missiles, which were developed by L V Lyulev at EMKB Novator. The system was accepted for military production in 1983.

Radars: MR-750 Top Steer target acquisition radar, D/E band, range 300 km. 3R90 Orekh Front Dome target tracking radar, H/I band, range 30 km.

Manufacturer: Altair/Lyulev. Standard warhead mass: 70 kg (154 lb). Maximum range: 30 km (18 mi). Guidance: Infrared/Semi-active radar homing. Minimum range: 3.00 km (1.80 mi). Ceiling: 22,000 m (72,000 ft). Floor: 30 m (98 ft).

VMF version of the Uragan surface-to-air missile system.

Location: Moscow, Russian Federation. Total Mass: 690 kg (1,520 lb). Core Diameter: 0.40 m (1.31 ft). Total Length: 5.55 m (18.21 ft). Span: 1.10 m (3.60 ft). Maximum range: 32 km (19 mi). Boost Propulsion: Solid rocket, dual thrust. Guidance: Semi-Active Radar Homing.

Export version of the Uragan surface-to-air missile system.

Capable of 20G turns and able to intercept closing targets flying at Mach 2.5, and receding targets flying at up to Mach 0.9. The missile also has anti-tactical ballistic missile capable. The system can detect 75 targets simultaenously, track 15, and engage 6 with missiles. A target flying 60 m over the water can be detected at 35 km range, and 160 m altitude targets at 400 m range. System resolution is 3-4.5 degrees in azimuth and elevation.

Total Mass: 690 kg (1,520 lb). Core Diameter: 0.40 m (1.31 ft). Total Length: 5.55 m (18.20 ft). Span: 0.86 m (2.82 ft). Maximum range: 25 km (15 mi). Boost Propulsion: Solid rocket. Guidance: Semi-active radar homing. Maximum speed: 3,060 kph (1,900 mph). Minimum range: 3.50 km (2.10 mi). Ceiling: 15,000 m (49,000 ft). Floor: 10 m (32 ft).

• 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.