An analysis of the course of armed conflicts in recent decades clearly shows the increasing role of aviation in the course of hostilities. In some cases, it was the use of air power that played the decisive role and determined the outcome of the confrontation. This is facilitated by the rapid development of precision weapons, the use of unmanned aerial vehicles, new systems of aiming and navigation. Today we can confidently say: aviation is the most dangerous enemy of the ground forces.
Therefore, it is not surprising that the most technologically advanced states are actively developing promising air defense systems. Starting from short-range tactical complexes, directly covering troop formations, to strategic models capable of destroying air targets at a distance of hundreds of kilometers.
Soviet air defense systems were considered among the best in the world, and the Russian military-industrial complex maintains these glorious traditions today. Recently, Tor-M2U was introduced - the latest modification of the famous anti-aircraft missile system, the development of which began as early as the 1970s of the last century.
The history of the creation of the "Tor-M2U"
The creation of a tactical air defense system began in 1975 after the release of the relevant decree of the USSR Council of Ministers. Development was conducted at the Research Electromechanical Institute. It was here that such famous complexes as the Osa and Krug air defense systems were created. In 1976, a sketch of the new anti-aircraft complex was born. In parallel, work was underway to create a modification for the Navy (SAM "Dagger"). In 1986, the complex was put into service, began its mass production. He received the name "Thor".
The Thor anti-aircraft missile system is designed to protect military, economic and other objects at the tactical level from air strikes. The air defense system can effectively fight against various types of missiles (including cruise and anti-radar), unmanned aerial vehicles, aerial bombs, aircraft and helicopters of the enemy.
Almost immediately after the launch of the complex, its modernization began. Already in 1989, started testing the machine, which received the index "Tor-M1." In 1991, it was adopted.
It differed from the base model by the presence of a second target channel and a more effective missile warhead. The missiles were placed in special aluminum transport-launch containers. A new on-board computer system was installed on the machine, and the Tor-M1 detection station became more efficient and more protected from interference. The crew of the complex "Tor-M1" reduced to three people.
Wheeled, tracked, towed and stationary modifications of the Tor-M1 complex were created. The most perfect is the modification "Tor-M1-2U", which entered the troops in 2012.
At the same time, work was under way on an even more sophisticated complex, the Tor-2M, a new-generation machine, particularly effective in repelling massive air attacks under conditions of electronic countermeasures. In 2012, the Tor-M2U was adopted, according to some of its characteristics it has no analogues in the world.
In 2018, at the Izhevsk Electromechanical Plant "Kupol", two new complexes began to be mass-produced - the Tor-M2U and Tor-M2E (K) SAM systems for export deliveries. The difference between them is small: the "Tor-M2E (K)" has a wheeled chassis, and the "Tor-M2U" - tracked.
The Tor-M2U anti-aircraft missile system participated in the parade on Red Square, and in 2017 it was already begun to be mastered in air defense units. It is planned that the "Tor-M2U" completely replace the long-obsolete SAM "Osa". True, the timing of this replacement is unknown.
Work is underway on a modular version of the complex ("Tor-M2KM"). According to its characteristics, it will not yield to other modifications, but at the same time it can be installed on any tracked or wheeled vehicle.
Device SAM "Top M2U"
The Tor-M2U is a tactical new-generation air defense system designed to protect military units, as well as industrial and infrastructure facilities from air strikes. It is effective against precision weapons, unmanned aerial vehicles, cruise missiles, modern aircraft and helicopters.
Tor-M2U can simultaneously detect more than 40 targets, determine the most dangerous of them, and simultaneously fire at four of them. It can be used to combat the massive attacks of modern means of air attack. The technical characteristics of the anti-aircraft missiles of the complex make it possible to effectively fight against small and highly maneuverable targets. Tor-M2U can successfully operate as part of an air defense system, but it can also be used independently.
Each machine has a target detection station (SOC), a guidance and tracking station for missiles and targets, a navigation and terrain system, an autonomous system for electrical power and eight anti-aircraft missiles in two launch containers.
The target detection station, installed on the Tor-M2U complex, operates in the centimeter wavelength range, is equipped with a friend-to-friend recognition system, and ensures the operation of the complex during movement. The system has a high degree of protection from interference, can detect more than 40 targets at a distance of up to 32 kilometers. Of these, the ten most dangerous stand out, which are given to the monitor to the vehicle commander. That is, the car itself tells the crew the sequence of firing at air targets. The main difference between Tor-M2 and Tor-M1 is the modernization of the target detection station. The upgraded station can detect targets with a small dispersion area (EPR), that is, aircraft created using stealth technology. In addition, the SOC on the Tor-M2 has a higher level of noise immunity than its predecessor.
Radar tracking of missiles and targets can accompany four air objects at once and direct six anti-aircraft missiles at them. The design of this radar uses a passive phased antenna array with a high degree of protection against radio-electronic interference. It also works in the centimeter wave range. The target tracking system also includes optoelectronic means for tracking airborne objects. Usually they are used with too high a level of interference.
Each complex is equipped with navigation systems and landmarks, as well as a special communication system.
The Tor-M2U anti-aircraft missile system is armed with 8 anti-aircraft guided missiles (SAM) 9M331, developed in the ICB Torch. The missiles of this design office are on all machines of the "Thor" family.
9M331 is a single-stage solid-fuel rocket, created by the aerodynamic configuration "duck". After launch, the rocket is thrown out of the container by a special catapult at a speed of 25 m / s, at a height of twenty meters the main engines are activated, which can accelerate the rocket to a speed of 700-800 m / s at a distance of one and a half kilometer. Homing missiles at a target begins at a distance of 250 meters. Warhead rocket - high-explosive type.
The rocket is equipped with folding wings that unfold immediately after launch. It has an active radio-fuse installed, the 9M331 can self-destruct automatically or at the operator's signal.
Eight missiles are located in two transport-launch containers 9Y281. Antenna complexes and starters form a single complex, which rotates 360 degrees. Each rocket is equipped with a catapult, the start is vertical. After the launch, the missile is deflected to the desired direction and at the right angle. This is achieved by using a special gas generator, the nozzles of which are located at the base of the aerodynamic control surfaces. The magnitude of the deviation is entered by the operator in the autopilot rocket.
The complex includes several service machines. The charging vehicle based on the Ural-4320 vehicle has one ammunition (eight missiles), is equipped with loading devices (a crane with a special manipulator). With it, empty launch canisters are removed and new ones are installed. The recharge process takes eighteen minutes.
There are other types of charging machines. There are also maintenance vehicles for four and sixteen Tor-M2U air defense systems.
Specifications "Tor-M2U"
Maximum range of destruction, km | 12 |
The minimum range of destruction, m: - at a height of 10 meters - at an altitude of over 100 meters | 1500 no more than 1000 |
The number of simultaneously processed targets | 48 |
The number of simultaneously tracked targets | 10 |
The number of simultaneously fired targets | 4 |
The number of simultaneously induced missiles | 8 |
Maximum speed of movement of targets, m / s | 700 |
Target maneuver overload | 10 g |
Ammunition SAM on BM, pcs. | 8 in two ЗРМ |
Loading time BM, min. | 18 |
Deployment time of the complex, min. | 3 |
BM movement speed, km / h: - on highways - on dirt roads | up to 80 up to 30 |
Cruising range, km | 500 |
Maximum mass of BM, t | 30 |
Calculation BM, pers. | 3 |
Climatic conditions: - temperature, ° С - humidity,% - height above sea level, m - wind speed, m / s | ±50 98 up to 3000 up to 30 |