The current geopolitical situation is such that to preserve the sovereignty and authority in international relations, the country simply needs modern weapons. This is especially true when it comes to tactical nuclear complexes, which are the last guarantee of peace on the planet. Of course, strategic missiles play the main role in deterring a potential adversary, but even the Iskander missile system can keep many from rash decisions.
This model of weapons was created for the destruction in marching conditions of inconspicuous targets in the layered defense of the enemy. This is all the more important because the modern strategy of warfare involves precisely preventive disarmament attacks that will prevent a potential enemy from using their
nuclear weapons. In addition, it is possible to suppress its missile defense system in a timely manner.
Terms of Creation
It was created in conditions when the USSR and the USA signed an agreement on limiting the number of tactical nuclear warheads (INF). It happened in 1987. At that time, potential opponents agreed on a complete rejection of the use of nuclear weapons in the context of hostilities of the future.
It is precisely because of this that a huge number of requirements were imposed on the new complex: it required a complete rejection of nuclear destructive elements, it was necessary to ensure almost jewelry accuracy of firing, coupled with the maximum possible missile controllability. In addition, specialists were required to provide the greatest possible degree of automation of both the flight of the rocket and its launch.
Not least because of this, the Iskander missile system in Kaliningrad made a real sensation in the ranks of the Baltic politicians, who began to panic about the new threat hanging over their sovereignty.
The role of satellite navigation systems
The main requirement, which corresponds to the realities of our time, was the ability to use data obtained from satellite positioning systems (Glonass, NAVSTAR). The new complex required the ability to hit even moving armored targets with high efficiency, possess the highest possible rate of fire, and also overcome the deeply layered missile defense of the enemy.
First experience
The Iskander missile system was first tested back in 2007. The then prime minister, S. Ivanov, reported to the president that the deviation from the target did not exceed one meter. These highest rates were fully confirmed after studying the data from all the visual controls that were involved in the tests that day.
All this splendor was created in KBM, Kolomna. This design bureau is known all over the world, since it was from here that the Tochka, Strela and Osa complexes, as well as other samples of domestic air defense systems of various generations, began their career. Other elements were manufactured in the Central Design Bureau “Titan” (launch system), Central Research Institute of Automation and Hydraulics (the most important system for automatic projection guidance).
What is it for?
As we already said, the Iskander missile system was created specifically for targeted attacks against targets deeply hidden behind enemy lines, protected by modern missile defense systems.
The following objects can act as goals:
- Artillery and missile systems of the enemy, large accumulations of armored vehicles.
- Means of missile defense.
- Air connections, at the time of basing on airfields.
- All team and communications complex.
- Large infrastructure, the loss of which will adversely affect the enemy.
- Other important objects in enemy territory.
Since the Iskander anti-aircraft missile system is inconspicuous and has a very high speed of preparing it for launch, it poses a very serious threat to all potential opponents.
What is part of Iskander?
The complex includes the following critical elements: a self-propelled launcher for launch, rockets for it, a machine for transporting and loading shells. In addition, there is a separate complex for repair and maintenance of all equipment, a headquarters and a special machine for analyzing the information received, as well as training tools for staff.
Characteristics of the used rocket
The Iskander tactical missile system under consideration uses a single-stage solid-fuel missile, from which the warhead cannot be detached. Despite the vigorous maneuvering in flight, the projectile can be controlled by the operator from the command post all along its path. The product is especially maneuverable at launch and when approaching the target when the rocket goes under 30G overloads. Since missile defense systems must fly up to it at a speed twice as high, currently there are simply no effective means of counteracting Iskander.
Shell shells made by a special technique, reducing its visibility for the enemy air defense systems. In addition, the missile does most of the way at an altitude of more than 50 km, which also reduces the chances of its timely interception by dozens of times. Invisibility for radars is provided by special coatings, the composition of which is classified.
This explains the triumph of domestic industry when the Iskander was adopted. The missile system (Kaliningrad and the entire
Western military district is already equipped with it) of this type will soon be received by all military units in the country.
Guiding principles
The launch of the missile to the target is carried out by the operators of the complex, after which the most complicated homing system enters into business. The equipment in flight scans the terrain, forming its digital model. It is constantly compared with the on-board computer with the image standard that was loaded into the rocket’s memory before the flight.
The homing optical head is characterized by excellent protection against jamming systems, as well as excellent ability to recognize targets in almost any environment. This allows you to hit a moving target (with an error of no more than a couple of meters) on a completely moonless night. Such accuracy in such conditions cannot be realized by any of the missile fire systems that are in service with NATO.
For this, they don’t like Iskander there. The missile system in Syria, delivered there in December last year, immediately reduced the intensity of passions and helped the legitimate government to oust anti-people forces from the country. In addition, the Russian side received valuable information on the combat use of the latest missiles.
"Self" rocket
Despite the fact that under normal conditions the Iskander missile system can be guided by signals from satellites of global positioning systems, under appropriate conditions, its operators will do well without them. Electron-optical guidance systems are so accurate that they can ensure the defeat of targets in almost any given conditions.
By the way, the Iskander homing system, if necessary, can easily be installed even on ballistic nuclear missiles, which makes the prospects of a potential adversary really quite gloomy. Because of this, the Russian Iskander missile system has a very sinister reputation in the West, although its characteristics clearly do not reach those of the intercontinental nuclear stockpile.
Warhead Feature
Designers laid the possibility of using immediately ten different types of ammunition. These include
cluster bombs with elements of non-contact detonation, military elements with cumulative action, cluster munitions with homing elements, as well as simple high-explosive, fragmentation and incendiary varieties. If a rocket with homing elements is used, then they will hit multiple targets, exploding at a height of six to ten meters above them.
The shell itself in a combat position weighs almost four tons, and the weight of the warhead itself is 480 kg. Thus, the Iskander-K missile system is one of the most powerful non-nuclear deterrents that are in service with our army.
Characterization of other elements
A self-propelled installation for launching allows you to simultaneously transport up to two missiles, allowing you to launch them at an angle of up to 90 degrees in relation to the terrain. It is located on a wheeled chassis with an 8x8 formula, which can even go through places where roads are completely absent (MAZ-79306 Astrologer). Among other things, this provides the maximum possible mobility of the complex, even in wartime.
Some characteristics of controls and guidance
The installation can independently determine the coordinates of its location, exchanges information with all elements of the Iskander, provides single and multiple launch missiles. The time from arrival to the volley is no more than 20 minutes, subject to a prepared calculation, and no more than one minute passes between projectile launches. This makes the Iskander missile system, whose characteristics are already impressive, a very dangerous means of attack.
Starting positions do not need to be prepared in any way. In addition, there is no need for the crew to leave the cab: upon receipt of the order, the specialists stop the Iskander in the given square, prepare all the systems and make a volley. The only exception is marshland, where it is necessary to prepare a more or less stable launch pad. After starting the vehicle, the machine moves to a predetermined position to recharge.
Thus, Iskander-M is a new generation missile system that provides reliable protection of state sovereignty.
Chassis and Other Machine Information
The mass of the chassis is 42 tons, the weight of the payload being transported is at least 19 tons, and the speed on a highway and a paved country road is 70 (40) km / h. At the gas station alone, Iskander can drive at least 1000 km. The usual strength of the calculation is three people, but in wartime their number can be increased.
The machine for transportation and loading is also assembled on the MAZ-79306 chassis ("Astrologer"). It is equipped with
a crane with a hydromechanical loading mechanism. The mass is exactly 40 tons, for maintenance will have staff in the amount of two people.
Headquarters complex
The heart of the whole complex is the command post vehicle. It is produced on the basis of KAMAZ vehicles. Information exchange between all the elements of Iskander can be carried out both in the usual and deeply encrypted mode. The speed of information exchange in the latter case does not suffer.
The headquarters complex is equipped with four fully automated locations for operators, the maximum range of data transfer between vehicles is 350 kilometers for vehicles in a parking lot and 50 kilometers in a combat march. The time of continuous operation of all elements of the guidance and control system is about two days.
Mechanical service machine
As in the previous case, it is based on the KamAZ chassis. Designed to check the condition of missiles both in the launcher itself and in transport containers, it allows you to check and repair all the devices and mechanisms of the complex, without resorting to its transportation to the place of constant deployment. The machine weighs only 13.5 tons, can be deployed in less than 20 minutes, the test time for all systems and mechanisms does not exceed 18 minutes. The complex is served by two people.
In general, the Iskander missile system, the performance characteristics of which we are revealing, is distinguished by rare maintainability even in the most extreme conditions.
Point of collection, analysis and preparation of information
This machine is used to collect and analyze information that is intended for the introduction of rockets into the on-board computer. The structure has two automated workplaces for operators, which can detect and transmit the coordinates of the attacked targets in one to two minutes. It can carry continuous combat duty for 16 hours.
Finally, a life support machine. It can be performed on the chassis of any commercially available truck; it serves to rest and eat up to eight people at a time.
Key features of the complex
Its main advantage is how and by whom Iskander-M was created. The missile system was designed by outstanding designers based on all the data accumulated by the Soviet and Russian army. At the moment, it significantly exceeds not only all previous domestic developments, but also all competing foreign models.
In general, the Iskander anti-aircraft missile system has a number of key features:
- Incredibly accurate destruction of even small and well-protected targets from the air.
- Stealth and quick deployment make him an extremely dangerous adversary.
- A combat mission can be effectively carried out even in conditions of active opposition of the enemy.
- Excellent tactical maneuverability and maneuverability, provided by high characteristics of the transport chassis.
- The highest degree of automation of all military processes.
- Long service life and simplicity of even field repairs.
In addition, the Iskander operational-tactical missile system fully meets all the requirements set forth by international treaties on the non-proliferation of certain types of weapons. In local conflicts, it can be considered as a deterrence weapon, and for countries with a small territory it can even be the main type of missile weaponry. The structure of the complex suggests the possibility of further modification, which guarantees Iskander long service in the guarding of state interests.
Other positive points
The control and guidance system is deeply integrated with similar equipment of all similar systems that are in the arsenal of the state. It can receive information not only from a data acquisition and processing machine, but also from a reconnaissance aircraft, UAVs or other equipment. Flight mission is calculated almost instantly. A command for a combat launch can be given not only by the commander of the complex, but also by the higher military command from closed positions.
Since one Iskander carries two missiles on board, and it does not take two minutes between their salvos, the power of a fully equipped division is comparable to that of a small country. In principle, with the right choice of ammunition, this weapon model is quite equivalent to a short-range nuclear weapon.