Tor missile system

Infobox Weapon
name= 9K330 Tor
NATO reporting name: SA-15 "Gauntlet"


caption= 9K330 TLAR
origin= flagcountry|Soviet Union
type= Tracked SAM system
is_ranged=
is_bladed=
is_explosive=
is_artillery=
is_vehicle=yes
is_missile=
is_UK=yes
service= 1986–present
used_by=See list of operators
designer= Antey
design_date= 1975
manufacturer= Kupol
unit_cost= US$ 25 million
production_date= 1990
number=
variants= Tor, Tor-M, Tor-M1, Tor-M1T, Tor-M2, Tor-MTA, Tor-MTB
spec_label= Tor-M1
weight= 34 tonnes
length= 7.5 m
part_length=
width= 3.3 m
height= 5.1 m (radar mast unstowed)
diameter=
crew= 3
armour=
primary_armament= 9M330, 9M331
secondary_armament=
engine= V-12 diesel
engine_power= 618 kW
pw_ratio=
transmission=
payload_capacity=
suspension=
clearance= 450 mm
wingspan=
propellant=
fuel_capacity=
vehicle_range= 500 km
ceiling=
altitude=
boost=
speed= 65 km/h
guidance=
steering=
accuracy=
launch_platform=
transport= The Tor missile system ( _ru. "Тор"; _en. torus [ru icon [Article at Ria Novosti] ] [cite web |url=http://www.rian.ru/authors/20051215/42498307.html |title="Бублик" остроконечный |language=Russian |accessdate=2008-09-04 |date=2005-12-15 |publisher=RIA Novosti ] ) is a Russian made low to medium altitude, short-range surface-to-air missile system designed for engaging airplanes, helicopters, cruise missiles, precision guided munitions, unmanned aerial vehicles and ballistic targets. The GRAU designation of the earliest model is 9K330 and its NATO reporting name is SA-15 "Gauntlet". A navalized variant was developed for the Russian navy under the name 3K95 Kinzhal; the NATO reporting name of this version is SA-N-9 "Gauntlet". The system is designed to protect targets from attack day or night in any weather, not only by shooting down attacking aircraft but also by destroying any munitions before they reach their target.

Development

The development of the Tor missile system (NATO reporting name SA-15 "Gauntlet") started on the 4th of February 1975 in response to the directives of the Central Committee of the CPSU. The project was initiated as a successor to the 9K33 Osa (NATO reporting name SA-8 "Gecko") short range self-propelled air defence system and to be conducted in parallel with a navalized variant of the system to be known as the 3K95 Kinzhal (NATO reporting name SA-N-9 "Gauntlet").cite web |url=http://pvo.guns.ru/tor/tor.htm |title=ЗЕНИТНЫЙ РАКЕТНЫЙ КОМПЛЕКС 9К330 "ТОР" (SA-15 Gaunlet) |accessdate=2008-08-09 |work=Вестника ПВО (Russian) |date=21-8-2007 ] The main developer for the project was the Antey design bureau headed by V.P. Efremov while the missiles were to be designed by the Fakel design bureau headed by P.D. Grushin. The naval variant was developed by Altair and headed by S.A. Fadeyev. Later all of these developers and the associated manufacturers of the Tor missile system were unified into the Almaz-Antey joint stock company in accordance with presidential decree 412 in 2002.cite web |url=http://www.almaz-antey.ru/hystory.php |title=История |accessdate=2008-08-10 |work=Алмаз-Антей (Russian) |date=21-8-2007 ]

From the start the Tor missile system was designed to provide air defence against modern and future threats equipped with precision guided weapons like the AGM-86 ALCM. The project was given strict specifications for the design to meet; Tor had to provide extended detection and tracking of fast, low radar cross section targets and be capable of quickly and efficiently dealing with massed air raids. All while providing a high degree of automation, integration with other air defence assets and cost-effectiveness.cite web |url=http://www.vko.ru/DesktopModules/Articles/ArticlesView.aspx?tabID=320&ItemID=154&mid=2891&wversion=Staging |title=Аналогов "Тору" не существует |accessdate=2008-08-09 |work=ВОЕННО-ПРОМЫШЛЕННЫЙ КУРЬЕР (Russian) |publisher=ВПК-Медиа |date=2007 ] In order to meet these specifications the designers used a variety of new solutions including an advanced phased array radar for improved detection and tracking performance, digital processing of information and vertically launched missiles to improve reaction time and increase the number of munitions the system could carry. The designers were successful in meeting the specifications, and after a period of testing between December 1983 to December 1984 the Tor missile system was accepted into service on March 19, 1986. The Tor missile system was the first air defence system in the world designed to shoot down precision guided weapons as well as conventional aircraft. The naval variant, "Kinzhal", had a more protracted development and entered service in 1989. Testing had previously started in 1982 on a Project 1124 Grisha class corvette and during demonstration firing in 1986 the Kinzhal system successfully destroyed four P-35 (NATO reporting name SSC-1a SHADDOCK) anti-ship missiles.

While the Tor was being introduced into service, work started on its improvement, which resulted in the creation of the enhanced Tor-M1 air defence system. Many improvements over the original system were made; these included adding an additional fire control channel allowing two targets to be engaged at once. An improved optical tracking system was added along with improved computer equipment, ECM protection and warhead design as well as modification to the ammunition handling system. State tests were conducted between March and December of 1989 before being accepted into service in 1991. The result was a system which could engage more targets in a shorter time frame with reaction times reduced by over a second and an increased probability of defeat. A further improvement occurred as a response to insight gained from the 1995 NATO bombing in Bosnia and Herzegovina resulting in the Tor-M1-1 or Tor-M1V which offered improved network connectivity and ECM functions.

Most recently at MAKS 2007 the developer unveiled the latest incarnation of the Tor missile system, the Tor-M2E.cite web |url=http://www.kupol.ru/ru/news/212 |title=ИЭМЗ «Купол» представит на «МАКС-2007» новую БМ ЗРС «ТОР-М2Э» |accessdate=2008-08-09 |work= ОАО "ИЭМЗ "Купол" (Russian) |date=2007-8-14 ] The latest variant features improved fire control radar coverage and four guidance channels allowing four missiles to be guided at any one time. The Tor-M2E also features a new chassis moving away from the traditional tracked chassis to a new wheeled chassis as well as a new digital computer system and a new all weather optical tracking system.

Description

The closest foreign analogues to the Tor missile system in function and operation are systems like the British Rapier missile and French Crotale missile systems. The Tor system is mobile and self propelled using the 9A330 fighting vehicle which acts as an autonomous transporter, launcher, and radar unit or TLAR (similar to but not a TELAR as it does not erect the missile to a launch position). The 9A330 TLAR uses GM-355 chassis though the later Tor-M1 uses an improved GM-5955 chassis developed and produced by MMZ.cite web |url=http://www.metrowagonmash.ru/english/gm5955.htm |title=GM-5955 Specifications |accessdate=2008-08-10 |work=METROWAGONMASH |date=2006-8-11 ] In addition to the self-propelled, tracked vehicle there are also static and towed versions of the Tor, and the latest Tor-M2E has been demonstrated with a wheeled chassis. The TLAR has a crew of four including a driver seated up front and three operators inside.

The TLAR is arranged in a similar fashion to the 9K22 Tunguska ( _ru. Тунгуска) air defense system, it features a turret with a surveillance radar on top and a tracking radar up front with 8 ready to fire missiles stored vertically between the two radar. The surveillance radar is an E/F-band pulse doppler radar with a parabolic antenna mechanically scanned in azimuth with a 32 degree sector viewfact|date=August 2008. The radar has an average power output of 1.5 kW providing a maximum detection range of 25 km/16 mi, an F-15 type aircraft at an altitude of up to 6 km had a detection probability of 0.8 at this range. The radar can detect up to 48 targets and track ten of them, including IFF functionality; the IFF antenna is mounted above the search radar. Later variants of the Tor system incorporate a modern frequency scanned phased array as a replacement for the older parabolic antenna.

The target engagement radar is a G/H and later K-band pulse doppler radar with an electronically scanned phased-array antenna in azimuth. The radar has an average power output of 0.6 kW providing a maximum detection range of 20 km/12 mi. An F-15 type aircraft had a detection probability of 0.8 at this range. The radar can track one target (later two (Tor-M1) and then four (Tor-M2E)) while simultaneously guiding up to two missiles (later four (Tor-M1) and then eight (Tor-M2E). There is also a small antenna on the top of the target engagement radar to communicate with missiles after launch and before they are acquired by the engagement radar. Together these radars carry the NATO reporting name "Scrum Half". The surveillance radar can be folded down horizontally when travelling, to reduce the height of the vehicle, and the tracking radar can partially rotate away from vertical to reduce its height. There is an optical tracking system to complement the target engagement radar and allow engagements in a heavy ECM environment.

Targets can be acquired and tracked while the TLAR is moving. Missiles can be fired only when in a stationary position. The reaction time (from target detection to engagement) is described as 5-8 seconds depending on the variant; however, reaction time is somewhat longer (around 10 seconds) whilst in motion and firing in short halts. An auxiliary power unit (APU) is fitted so that the main engine can be shut down while the radar and missile system continue to operate when stationary, enabling long periods of readiness. The digital computers allowed for a higher degree of automation that any previous Soviet system of its type. Target threat classification is automatic and the system can be operated with little operator input, if desired. The high performance computing system combined with a phased array radar are the main reasons for the system's high degree of accuracy, ability to intercept small, fast and highly maneuverable targets, and the very fast reaction times of the system. It is equipped with NBC (nuclear, biological and chemical) protection. The price per unit was quoted as $25 million in 2007fact|date=August 2008.

Typically a battery of four Tor vehicles is accompanied by the mobile Ranzhir-M ( _ru. "Ранжир-М") command center. It allows for efficient allocation of tasks between the individual Tor-1M crews and allows each TLAR to be linked into a wider air defense system.

Variants

* 9K330 "Tor" with the 9M330 missile, minimum range 2 km (1.2 mi), introduced in 1986
* 9K331 "Tor-M" with the 9M331 missile, minimum range 1.5 km (0.9 mi), introduced in 1991, with greatly improved missile accuracy and the ability to engage two targets simultaneously
* 9K331M "Tor-M1", "Tor-M1T" with the 9M331 missile, minimum range 1.5 km (0.9 mi)
* 9K332 "Tor-M2", "Tor-MTA", "Tor-MTB", "Tor-MTS" with the 9M331 missile and a new surveillance radar, minimum range 1 km (0.6 mi)

3K95 Kinzhal

The 3K95 "Kinzhal" ( _ru. Кинжал – "dagger") is the naval version of the Tor missile system and has the NATO reporting name SA-N-9 Gauntlet, the system uses the same 9M330 missile as the land based version. The naval version of the later Tor-M1 is known as the "Yozh" ( _ru. Ёж - "hedgehog"). The export version of the Kinzhal is known as "Klinok" ( _ru. Клинок - "blade"). The system can be mounted on vessels displacing over 800 tonnes and is known to be installed on "Admiral Kuznetsov" class aircraft carriers, "Kirov" class multimission cruisers, "Udaloy" class anti-submarine destroyers and "Neustrashimy" class frigates.

The missiles are stored within rotary VLS modules clustered into launchers comprising of three to six modules (32 ("Neustrashimy"), 64 ("Udaloy") or 192 ("Kuznetsov", "Kirov") missiles) and mounted flush to the deck. Each module has up to eight missiles stored ready to fire, during firing the missile is cold launched using a gas catapult before the launcher brings the next round to a firing position.The system uses the 3R95 multi-channel fire control system which carries the NATO reporting name Cross Swords. The fire control system is comprised of two different radar including a G-band surveillance radar with a maximum detection range 45 km/28 mi. The surveillance radar uses two mechanically scanned parabolic antenna mounted on-top of the fire control system to provide a 360 degree field of view, an additional IFF antenna is also present. The other radar on the 3R95 is a K-band target engagement radar with a maximum tracking range 15 km/9 mi. This uses an electronically scanned phased array antenna of the reflection type mounted on the front of the fire control system with a 60 degree field of view.cite web |url=http://pvo.guns.ru/naval/kinzhal.htm |title=КОРАБЕЛЬНЫЙ ЗЕНИТНЫЙ РАКЕТНЫЙ КОМПЛЕКС "КИНЖАЛ"(SA-N-9 GAUNTLET) |accessdate=2008-08-14 |work=Вестника ПВО (Russian) |date=12-12-2000 ] The target engagement radar can track and guide eight missiles on up to four targets at once and is effective to a range of 1.5-12 km and an altitude of 10-6000 m.cite web |url=http://www.rusarm.ru/cataloque/navy_cataloque.html |title=KLINOK Air Defence Missile System |accessdate=2008-08-14 |work=Naval Systems Export Catalogue |publisher=Rosoboronexport |date=2003 ] The system has a reaction time of 8-24 seconds depending on the mode of operation and is managed by a crew of 13. Additional missile guidance antenna can be seen around the fire control system and some sources report fact|date=August 2008 that the 3K95 is equipped with a secondary infrared guidance system. The 3R95 can also provide fire control information for the vessels AK-630 close in weapons systems (CIWS) providing a second line of defence should anything penetrate the missile layer.

Missiles

Infobox Weapon
name= 9M330


caption=
origin= flagcountry|Soviet Union
type= Surface-to-air missile
is_ranged=
is_bladed=
is_explosive=
is_artillery=
is_vehicle=
is_missile=yes
is_UK=yes
service= 1986-present
used_by= See list of operators
designer= Fakel
design_date=
manufacturer=
unit_cost=
production_date=
number=
variants= 9M330, 9M331
spec_label= 9M331cite web |url=http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/missile/row/sa-15.htm |title=9M331 Tor |accessdate=2008-07-13 ]
weight= 167 kg
length= 2900 mm
part_length=
width=
height=
diameter= 235 mm
crew=
filling= Frag-HE
filling_weight= 15 kg
detonation= RF Proximity
yield=
armour=
primary_armament=
secondary_armament=
engine=
engine_power=
pw_ratio=
transmission=
payload_capacity=
suspension=
clearance=
wingspan=
propellant= Solid-fuel rocket
fuel_capacity=
vehicle_range= convert|12|km|micite web |url=http://en.rian.ru/russia/20071227/94327525.html |title=Russia trains Greek Tor-M1 crews |accessdate=2008-09-04 |date=2007-12-27 |publisher=RIA Novosti ]
ceiling=
altitude= convert|6000|m|ft
boost= Cold launch ejection for 20 m
speed= 850 m/s
guidance= Radio command
steering= Gas dynamic control system, with four control surfaces
accuracy=
launch_platform= 9A331 combat vehicle
transport= GM-569 tracked vehicle

The 9M330 missile is 3.5 m (11.5 ft) long and weighs 167 kg (368 lb). It carries a 15 kg (33 lb) warhead and has a peak speed of around Mach 2.8. The missiles utilize command guidance and their detonation is controlled via radar proximity fuze. The missiles can maneuver at up to 30Gs and can engage targets flying at up to Mach 2. Missiles are propelled out of the vehicle before the solid fuel rocket motor fires and the gas-dynamic maneuvering system turns them toward their target. Missiles can also be fired against surface targets. Each missile is a sealed round, stored in two groups of four. Engagement range is up to 12 km (1-7.5 miles) with minimum range varying between 100-2000 m (328-5,621 feet), depending upon version. Effective altitude is 10-6000 m (33-20,000 ft).

Kill probabilities for later versions are quoted as:
* 0.92-0.95 against aircraft
* 0.80-0.96 against helicopters
* 0.60-0.90 against cruise missiles (with an effective range of around 5 km/3 miles)
* 0.70-0.90 against precision munitions (LGBs, glide bombs, etc.)
* 0.90 against UAVs

Operators and combat history

The HQ-17 (Hongqi-17) is the reported Chinese designation for the Tor missile system, which is replacing the HQ-61. There is no confirmation that China is currently manufacturing its own licenced copy of the Tor system.

Russia has delivered an undetermined number of Tor-M1 systems (originally built for Greece) to the Islamic Republic of Iran amid protests from the United States. [ [http://www.aljazeera.com/me.asp?service_ID=12817 Russia sends air defense systems to Iran - Aljazeera] ] Dead link|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/me.asp?service_ID=12817|date=September 2008 It is suspected that at least 29 such systems have been transferred along with service contracts with an approximate value of $700,000,000 USD. [ [http://en.rian.ru/russia/20070116/59156706.html Russia completes air defense system deliveries to Iran - RIA Novosti] ]

In the 2008 South Ossetia War Russian defence ministry spokesperson Anatoliy Nogovitsyn spoke of the use of the Tor missile system by Georgia during a press-conference. The system was suggested as a possible cause of the loss of a Tu-22MR strategic bomber, shot down by Georgian air-defences while on a reconnaissance mission during the conflict.

* - 30
* - 35cite web |url=http://www8.janes.com/Search/documentView.do?docId=/content1/janesdata/yb/jlad/jlad0112.htm |title=Almaz/Antei Concern of Air Defence Tor (NATO SA-15 'Gauntlet') low to medium-altitude self-propelled surface-to-air missile system |accessdate=2008-08-10 |date=2008-05-20 |publisher=Jane's Information Group ]
* - 6
* - Egyptian Air Defence Command (12 Batteries)
* - Unknown quantity formerly operated by Ukrainecite web |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDTs5fFLU-o&feature=user |title=Russia's Defence ministry spokesman press-conference (YouTube) |accessdate=2008-08-10 |date=2008-08-10 |publisher=RussiaToday ]
* - 25
*
* - 50
* - 20 [ [http://www.strategypage.com/militaryforums/6-52462.aspx Janes - Libya To Buy $2.5B Russian Weapons including MiG-29 and SU-30 ] ]
* Myanmar - 48dubious|Operator: Myanmar [IISS Military Balance 2007] - unconfirmed
*
* - 220fact|date=August 2008
* - 80fact|date=May 2008
* Venezuela - 12 [cite web |url=http://en.rian.ru/russia/20080724/114840335.html |title=Venezuela to buy more weaponry from Russia |accessdate=2008-07-31 |date=2008-07-24 |publisher=RIA Novosti ]
* Yemen - 12 fact|date=September 2007

References

External links

* [http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/missile/row/sa-15.htm Federation of American Scientists page]
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/sa-15.htm SA-15 GAUNTLET / 9K331 Tor - Global Security]
* [http://www.defense-update.com/products/t/tor.htm TOR M-1 Update]