S-300

A single S-300-PM missile TEL ready to fire. Photo by Naval Expeditionary Warfare Training.

A side-on close-up, ready to launch. Photo from Field Artillery Magazine.

"SA-10" redirects here. For , see Systems Concepts.

The S-300 is a series of Russian long range surface-to-air missile systems by the Almaz Scientific Industrial Corporation all based on the initial S-300P (С-300П) version. It was developed as a system against aircraft and cruise missiles for the Soviet Anti-Air Defense branch of the military, but later variations were also developed to intercept ballistic missiles.

The closest western equivalent is the United States MIM-104 Patriot system. Compared to the Patriot the S-300 is a much larger system with heavier missiles. Both systems can engage multiple targets simultaneously, employ track-via-missile guidance, and rely on a single phased array guidance radar to guide the missiles in the air. Both systems are also mobile. Almaz claims a deployment time of 5 minutes. Like the Patriot, the S-300 missiles are sealed rounds and require no maintenance over their lifetime.

Export users include the People's Republic of China, India, Ukraine, Belarus, Slovakia, Greece, Bulgaria and Vietnam.

Contents

Variations and upgrades

The S-300 system, especially in its later forms, is probably the single most deadly threat that an aircraft would encounter on a modern battlefield. The MIM-104 Patriot is similarly advanced but the combination of longer range, specialised low-altitude search radars, larger warhead, high maneuverability and low probability of intercept (LPI) radar characteristics combine to make this system formidable. The difference in capability between the original S-300P system and today's S-300PMU-3 is astounding, especially in terms of range and mobility, which is a credit to the designers of the S-300.

Numerous versions have since emerged with different missiles, improved radars, better resistance to countermeasures, longer range and better capability against short-range ballistic missiles or targets flying at very low altitude. There are currently three main variations.

S-300P

The S-300P (NATO reporting name SA-10(A) Grumble) is the original version of the S-300 system which became operational in 1978. It consists of the following vehicles:

Surveillance radar: 36D6 Tin Shield (3D, E/F band)
Low altitude radar: 76NG Clam Shell
Fire control radar: 30NG Flap Lid A (I/J band)
TEL: 5P85-1 (semi-trailer)

S-300PT/S-300PT-1/S-300PT-1A

The S-300PT/S-300PT-1/S-300PT-1A are incremental upgrades of the original S300P system. They introduce the 5K55KD missile. Actual improvements to these systems are unknown but are likely to be fairly minor, possibly a slightly higher missile speed.

S-300PS/S-300PM

Two S-300-PM missile TEL and a 'Flap Lid'. Photo by GulfLINK.

The S-300PS/S-300PM (US DoD designation SA-10B) was introduced in 1985 and is the only version thought to have been fitted with a nuclear warhead. This model saw the introduction of the modern TEL and mobile radar and command-post vehicles all based on the MAZ-7910 8x8 truck. This model also featured the new 5K55R missiles which increased maximum engagement range to 90 km (56 mi) and introduced a terminal semi-active radar homing (SARH) guidance mode. The following vehicles are upgraded in this version:

Surveillance radar: 36NG85

S-300PMU

The S-300PMU (US DoD designation SA-10C) was introduced in 1992 for the export market and featured the upgraded 5V55U missile which still utilised the intermediate SARH terminal guidance method and smaller warhead of the 5V55R but increased the engagement envelope to give this missile roughly the same range and altitude capabilities as the newer 48N6 missile (max. range 150 km/93 mi).

S-300PMU-1

The S-300PMU-1 (US DoD designation SA-10D/SA-20A, NATO reporting name SA-20) was also introduced in 1992 with the new and larger 48N6 missiles for the first time in a land-based system and introduced all the same performance improvements from the S300FM version including the increased speed, range, TVM guidance and ABM capability. The warhead is slightly smaller than the naval version at 143 kg (315 lb). This version also saw the introduction of the new and more capable 30N6E Flap Lid B radar.

The S-300PMU-1 9M96 was introduced in 1999 and for the first time introduces several different kinds of missiles in a single system. In addition to the 5V55R, 48n6Ye and 48N6Ye2 missiles the S-300PMU-1 9M96 can utilise two new missiles, the 9M96E1 and 9M96E2. Both are significantly smaller than the previous missiles at 330 and 420 kg (728 and 926 lb respectively) and carry smaller 24 kg (53 lb) warhead. The 9M96E1 has an engagement range of 1-40 km (1-25 mi) and the 9M96E2 of 1-120 km (1-75 mi). They are still carried 4 per TEL. Rather than just relying on aerodynamic fins for maneuvering, they use a gas-dynamic system which allows them to have an excellent PK despite the much smaller warhead. The PK is estimated at 0.7 against a tactical ballistic missile for either missile. This variant typically consists of:

Command and control system: 83M6E (Baikal-1E or Senezh-M1E CCS also possible)
*Surveillance/detection radar: 64N6E (Big Bird)
Fire control/illumination and guidance radar: 30N6E(1)
Low altitude detection radar: 76N6 (optional)
All altitude detection radar: 96L6E (developed from the naval Tomb Stone?, optional)
TEL: Up to 12 5P85SE (5P85CE) and/or 5P85TE launchers
Tow vehicle: 40V6M (intended for lifting of the antenna post, optional)

S-300PMU-2

S-300PMU-2 vehicles. From left to right: 64N6E2 detection radar, 54K6E2 command post and 5P85 TEL.

The current S-300PMU-2 Favorit (Russian C-300ПМУ-2 "Фаворит" - favourite, DoD designation SA-20B), introduced in 1997, is an upgrade to the S-300PMU-1 with range extended once again to 195 km (121 mi) with the introduction of the 48N6E2 missile. This system is apparently capable against not just short range ballistic missiles, but now also medium range tactical BMs. This version consists of the following vehicles:

Command and control system: 83M6E2, consisting of
*Command post: 54K6E2 Command Post (CP);
*Surveillance/detection radar: 64N6E2
Fire control/illumination and guidance radar: 30N6E2
TEL: Up to 12 5P85SE2 (5P85CE2) and/or 5P85TE2 launchers
All altitude detection radar: 96L6E (developed from the naval Tomb Stone?, optional)
Low altitude detection radar: 76N6 (optional)
Tow vehicle: 40V6M (intended for lifting of the antenna post, optional)

S-300PMU-3/S-400

The S-300PMU-3/S-400 Triumf (Russian C-300ПМУ-3/С-400 "Триумф" - triumph, NATO reporting name SA-X-21) was introduced in 1999 and features a new, much larger missile with two per TEL. The project has been encountering delays since its original announcement and deployment has only begun on a small scale in 2006.

S-300V

Close-up of a 9A83 TELAR with a 9S19 High Screen radar visible in the background. Photo by Nellis AFB.

An close-up of a 9M82 missile. Photo by Nellis AFB.

The 9K81 S-300V Antey-300 (Russian 9К81 С-300В "Антей-300" - Antaeus (NATO reporting name SA-12 Gladiator/Giant) is a bit different from the other versions. It was built by Antey as opposed to Almaz.

It was designed to act as the top tier army air defense system, providing a defense against ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and aircraft, replacing the SA-4 Ganef.

The "Gladiator" missiles have a maximum engagement range of around 75 km (47 miles) while the "Giant" missiles can engage targets out to 100 km (62 miles) and up to altitudes of around 32 km (100,000 ft). In both cases the warhead is around 150 kg (331 lb).

While it was created from the same project (hence the common S-300 designation) different priorities resulted in a design quite different from the other versions:

The S-300V system is carried on tracked MT-T transporters, which gives it better cross-country mobility than even the S-300Ps on 8x8 wheeled transporters.
The S-300V's system is somewhat more distributed than the S-300P's. For example, while both have mechanically scanned radars for target acquisition (9S15 Bill Board A), the battery level 9S32 Grill Pan has autonomous search ability and SARH delegated to illumination radars on TELARs. The early 30NG Flap Lid on the S-300P handles tracking and illumination, but is not equipped with autonomous search (later upgraded).
The S-300V places a greater emphasis on ABM, with the dedicated 9M83 (SA-12B Giant). This missile is larger and only two can be held on each TELAR. It also has a dedicated ABM radar - the 9S19 High Screen phased array radar at battalion level.

A typical S-300V unit is made up out of the following vehicles:

Target detection and designation unit
*Command post: 9S457-1
*All-round surveillance radar: 9S15MV or 9S15MT (NATO reporting name Bill Board)
*Sector surveillance radar: 9S19M2 (NATO reporting name High Screen)
Guidance radar: 9S32-1 (multi-channel, NATO reporting name Grill Pan)
Up to 6 launchers in two variants:
*9A83-1 (4× 9M83 Gladiator missile)
*9A82 (2× 9M82 Giant missile)
Up to 6 loaders/launchers in two variants:
*9A84 (4× 9M83 Gladiator missile)
*9A85 (2× 9M82 Giant missile)

S-300VM

The S-300VM (Antey-2500) is an upgrade to the S-300V. It consists of the following vehicles:

Target detection and designation unit
*Command post: 9S457ME
*All-round suirveillance radar: 9S15M2 (or 9S15MT2E, or 9S15MV2E)
*Sector surveillance radar: 9S19ME
Guidance radar: 9S32ME (multi-channel)
Up to 6 9A84ME launchers (up to 4× 9M83ME missile)
Up to 6 launcher/loader vehicles assigned to each launcher (2× 9M83ME missile each)

S-300F

SA-N-6 launchers on the Slava class cruiser Marshal Ustinov.

The S-300F Fort (Russian Форт, NATO reporting name SA-N-6) was introduced in 1984 as the original ship-based (naval) version of the S-300P system with the new 5V55RM missile with range extended to 7-90 km (4-56 mi) and maximum target speed up to Mach 4 while engagement altitude was reduced to 25-25,000 m (100-82,000 ft). The naval version utilises the Top Sail or Top Steer, Top Pair and 3R41 Volna (Top Dome) radars and utilises command guidance with a terminal semi-active radar homing (SARH) mode. Its first installation and sea trials were on a Kara-class cruiser and it is also installed on Slava class cruisers and Kirov-class cruisers. It is stored in six or eight 8-missile rotary launchers below decks. The export version of this system is known as Rif (Russian Риф — reef).

S-300FM

The S-300FM Fort-M (NATO reporting name SA-N-20) is another naval version of the system, installed only on the Kirov-class cruiser RFS Pyotr Velikiy, and introduced the new 48N6 missile in the form of the 48N6Ye. It was introduced in 1990 and increased missile speed to approximately Mach 6 for a maximum target engagement speed of up to Mach 8.5, increased the warhead size to 150 kg (330 lb) and increased the maximum engagement range yet again to 5-150 km (3-93 mi) as well as opening the altitude envelope to 10m-27 km (33-88500 ft). The new missiles also introduced the ultimate track-via-missile guidance method and brought with it the ability to intercept short-range ballistic missiles. This system makes use of the Tomb Stone rather than Top Dome radar, which was subsequently developed in a land-based form. The export version is called the Rif-M.

Users and other versions

/: Has used all of the S-300 variations. Due to the poor financial state of the Russian military only a few units have been equipped with the S-300PMU-3/S-400.

People's Republic of China: They have bought the S-300PMU-1 and are licenced to manufacture it under the name Hongqi-10 (HQ-10). China is also the first customer of S-300PMU-2 and may be using the S-300V under the name Hongqi HQ-18. They have also built an upgraded version of the HQ-10 labelled the HQ-15 with the maximum range upgraded from 150 km (93 mi) to 200 km (124 mi). There are unconfirmed reports that claim this version is the Chinese manufactured S-300PMU-2.

has bought six S-300 batteries in August 1995 for $1 billion, probably the S-300PMU-2 version, believed to consist of 48 missiles per system. These will most likely be used in the short-range ballistic-missile defence (BMD) role against Pakistan's M-11 missiles.
/: Cyprus signed an agreement to buy S-300 systems in 1996. Eventually bought the S-300PMU-1 version, but due to political tension between Cyprus and Turkey and intense Anglo-American pressure, the system was transferred to the Greek Island of Crete. Later, Cyprus acquired the Tor-M1 system.
's status regarding the S-300 system remains controversial. They seem to have acquired an unknown number of S-300PMU-1 missiles in 1993.
has bought two S-300PMU-1 batteries (12 launchers) for nearly $300 million.
: Russia delivered $800 million worth of S-300 sites to pay off a debt they had to Hungary.

Specifications

Missiles are guided by the 30NG Flap Lid A or naval 3R41 Volna (Top Dome) radars using command guidance with terminal semi-active radar homing. Later versions use the 30N6E Flap Lid B or naval Tomb Stone radars to guide the missiles via command guidance/track-via-missile (TVM). The earlier 30NG Flap Lid A can guide up to 4 missiles at a time to up to 4 targets, and can track up to 24 targets at once. The 30N6E Flap Lid B can guide up to 2 missiles per target to up to 6 targets simultaneously. Targets flying at up to Mach 2.5 can be successfully engaged or around Mach 8.5 for later models. One missile can be launched every three seconds. The mobile control center is able to manage up to 12 TELs simultaneously.

The original warhead weighed 100 kg (220 lb), intermediate warheads weighed 133 kg (293 lb) and the latest warhead weighs 143 kg (315 lb). All are equipped with a proximity fuze and contact fuze. The missiles themselves weigh between 1450 kg (3200 lb) and 1800 kg (3970 lb). Missiles are catapulted clear of the launching tubes before their rocket motor fires, which can accelerate at up to 100 g (1 km/s²). They launch straight upwards and then tip over towards their target, removing the need to aim the missiles before launch. The missiles are steered with a combination of control fins and through thrust vectoring vanes. The sections below give exact specifications of the radars and missiles in the different S-300 versions. It should be noted that since the S-300PM most vehicles are interchangeable across variations.

Radars

The 30NG Flap Lid A is mounted on a small trailer. The 64N6 Big Bird is mounted on a large trailer along with a generator and typically towed with the now familiar 8-wheeled truck. The 76NG/76N6 Clam Shell is mounted on a large trailer with a mast which is between 24 and 39 m (79 and 128 ft) tall.

The original S-300P utilises a combination of the 76NG Clam Shell continuous-wave doppler radar for target acquisition and the 30NG Flap Lid A I/J-band phased array digitally steered tracking and engagement radar. Both are mounted on trailers. In addition there is a trailer-mounted command center and up to twelve trailer-mounted erector/launchers with 4 missiles each. The S-300PS/PM is similar but uses an upgraded 36NG85 tracking and engagement radar with the command post integrated and has truck-mounted TELs.

If employed in an anti-ballistic missile or anti-cruise missile role, the 64N6 Big Bird E/F-band radar would also be included with the battery. It is capable of detecting ballistic missile class targets up to 1000 km (620 mi) away travelling at up to 10000 km/h (6200 mph) and cruise missile class targets up to 300 km (185 mi) away. It also employs electronic beam steering and performs a scan once every twelve seconds.

The 36D6 Tin Shield and later ST-68UM Tin Shield-B 350 kW to 1.23 MW radar can also be used to augment the S-300 system to provide earlier target detection than the Flap Lid radars allow. It can detect a missile-sized target flying at an altitude of 60 meters (200 ft) at least 20 km (12.5 mi) away, at an altitude of 100 meters (330 ft) at least 30 km (19 mi) away, and at high altitude up to 175 km (108 mi) away. In addition a 64N6 Big Bird E/F band target acquisition radar can be used which has a maximum detection range of 300 km (186 mi).

Surveillance radars
GRAU index NATO reporting name Specialization Target detection range Simultaneously detected targets NATO frequency band First used with Notes
36D6 Tin Shield - 200 km (124 mi) E/F S-300P
ST-68UM Tin Shield B - 175 km (108 mi) E/F 350 kW to 1.23 MW signal strength
76NG Clam Shell Low altitude detection I S-300P
76N6 Clam Shell Low altitude detection 120 km (75 mi) 300 I S-300PMU 1.4 kW FM continuous wave
64N6 Big Bird - 300 km (186 mi) C S-300PMU-1
96L6E All altitude detection 300 km (186 mi) 300 S-300PMU-1
9S15 Bill Board - 250 km (155 mi) 200 S-300V
9S19 High Screen Sector tracking 16 S-300V
MR-75Not a GRAU index. GRAU indices only apply to land-based versions. Top Steer Naval 300 km (186 mi) D/E S-300F
MR-800 Voskhod Top Pair Naval 200 km (124 mi) C/D/E/F S-300F

Surveillance radars
GRAU index	NATO reporting name	Specialization	Target detection range	Simultaneously detected targets	NATO frequency band	First used with	Notes
36D6	Tin Shield	-	200 km (124 mi)		E/F	S-300P
ST-68UM	Tin Shield B	-	175 km (108 mi)		E/F		350 kW to 1.23 MW signal strength
76NG	Clam Shell	Low altitude detection			I	S-300P
76N6	Clam Shell	Low altitude detection	120 km (75 mi)	300	I	S-300PMU	1.4 kW FM continuous wave
64N6	Big Bird	-	300 km (186 mi)		C	S-300PMU-1
96L6E		All altitude detection	300 km (186 mi)	300		S-300PMU-1
9S15	Bill Board	-	250 km (155 mi)	200		S-300V
9S19	High Screen	Sector tracking		16		S-300V
MR-75Not a GRAU index. GRAU indices only apply to land-based versions.	Top Steer	Naval	300 km (186 mi)		D/E	S-300F
MR-800 Voskhod	Top Pair	Naval	200 km (124 mi)		C/D/E/F	S-300F

Target tracking/missile guidance
GRAU index NATO reporting name NATO frequency band Target detection range Simultaneously tracked targets Simultaneously engaged targets First used with Notes
30NG Flap Lid A I/J 4 4 S-300P
30N6E(1) Flap Lid B I/J 200 km (124 mi) 12 6 S-300PMU-1 Phased array
30N6E2 Flap Lid B I/J 200 km (124 mi) 100 36 S-300PMU-2
9S32-1 Grill Pan Multi-band 140-150 km (90 mi) 12 6 S-300V
3R41 Volna Top Dome I/J 100 km (62 mi) S-300F

Target tracking/missile guidance
GRAU index	NATO reporting name	NATO frequency band	Target detection range	Simultaneously tracked targets	Simultaneously engaged targets	First used with	Notes
30NG	Flap Lid A	I/J		4	4	S-300P
30N6E(1)	Flap Lid B	I/J	200 km (124 mi)	12	6	S-300PMU-1	Phased array
30N6E2	Flap Lid B	I/J	200 km (124 mi)	100	36	S-300PMU-2
9S32-1	Grill Pan	Multi-band	140-150 km (90 mi)	12	6	S-300V
3R41 Volna	Top Dome	I/J	100 km (62 mi)			S-300F

Missiles

Missile specifications
GRAU index	Year	Range	Maximum velocity	Length	Diameter	Weight	Warhead	Guidance	First used with
5V55K/KD	1978	47 km (29 mi)	1700 m/s (3800 mph)	7 m (23 ft)	450 mm	1450 kg (3200 lb)	100 kg (220 lb)	Command
5V55R/RM	1984	90 km (56 mi)	1700 m/s (3800 mph)	7 m (23 ft)	450 mm	1450 kg (3200 lb)	133 kg (293 lb)	SARH
5V55U	1992	150 km (93 mi)	2000 m/s (4470 mph)	7 m (23 ft)	450 mm	1470 kg (3240 lb)	133 kg (293 lb)	SARH
48N6/Ye	1992	150 km (93 mi)	2000 m/s (4470 mph)	7.5 m (25 ft)	500 mm	1780 kg (3920 lb)	~150 kg (~330 lb)	TVM
48N6E2/Ye2	1992	195 km (121 mi)	2000 m/s (4470 mph)	7.5 m (25 ft)	500 mm	1800 kg (3970 lb)	150 kg (330 lb)	TVM
9M82	1984	40 km (25 mi)	2500 m/s				150 kg (330 lb)	SARH by TELAR	S-300V
9M83	1984	100 km (60 mi)	1800 m/s			420 kg (926 lb)	150 kg (330 lb)	SARH by TELAR	S-300V
9M83ME	1990	200 km (120 mi)						SARH by TELAR	S-300VM
9M96E1	1999	40 km (25 mi)				330 kg (728 lb)	24 kg (53 lb)	TVM	S-300PMU-1
9M96E2	1999	120 km (75 mi)				420 kg (926 lb)	24 kg (53 lb)	TVM	S-300PMU-2
big-missileNot a GRAU index, the actual name of the missile introduced with the S-400 is still unknown.	2000	400 km (250 mi)						TVM	S-400

Footnotes

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

[media]

[A very detailed description of S-300W]
[link] and [link], a two-part piece from Australian Air Power.
[SA-10 Grumble] PRC-ROC Air Power Monitor
[Soviet/Russian Missile Designations]
[S-300PMU2 Favorit] EnemyForces.com

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