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SAM Launchers
by Captain Maxwell
9K35M3 - 9M333 missile
carried by 9A35M3 vehicle NATO designation
SA-13 GOPHER
The Strela 10M3 tactical air defense system
reached IOC with the Red Army in 1981 to
replace the SA-9 Gaskin as IR component of
the battlefield
defense network. Its radar launched counterpart,
the Tunguska 2S6 system, replacing the 9K33M3
Osa, was not introduced until 1989.
The 10M3 system is
a modified MT-LB infantry carrier with a
quadruple launcher for 9M333
missiles. Compared to the SA-9, which uses
the BRDM as chassis, the MT-LB offers greater
mobility but has the disadvantage of lesser
armor than the BRDM (7mm for the MT-LB
against 14mm for the BRDM-2).
The 9M333 missile
is an IR guided short range missile with
a HE warhead an a laser
fuze.
Four missiles are ready for use, a further
four are stored in the TELAR vehicle.
Target acquisation
is reached with a second generation IR/EO
system and a
1RL246-10-2
(NATO: PIE RACK) IFF system.
Target search is performed
by a 9S86 (NATO: SNAP SHOT) short range radar.
Target search at battery level is
done
by a MR G-band radar on MT-LB chassis
(NATO: DOG
EAR) and by a passive ESM system,
9S16 (NATO:
FLAT BOX-B).
The launcher is even
capable of firing early missiles of the Strela
series
(NATO: SA-9
GASKIN).
Each vehicle has a 7.62mm machine
gun of the RPK type for self defense. |
