|
Country of origin |
Soviet Union |
|
Entered service |
1980 |
|
Crew |
4 men |
|
Dimensions and weight |
|
Weight |
34 t |
|
Length |
9.3
m |
|
Width |
3.25
m |
|
Height |
3.8 m |
|
Missile |
|
Missile length |
5.5 m |
|
Missile diameter |
0.4 m |
|
Missile weight |
685 kg |
|
Warhead weight |
70 kg |
|
Warhead type |
HE-FRAG |
|
Range of fire |
20.5 km |
|
Altitude |
25 km |
|
Number of missiles |
4 |
|
Mobility |
|
Engine |
diesel |
|
Engine power |
710 hp |
|
Maximum road speed |
65 km/h |
|
Range |
500 km |
|
Maneuverability |
|
Gradient |
60% |
|
Side slope |
30% |
|
Vertical step |
~ 1 m |
|
Trench |
1.5 m |
|
Fording |
1 m |
|
The Buk (beech) air
defense missile system was developed to replace the previous
Kub.
Its industrial designation is 9K37. Its reporting name in the West
is SA-11 or Gadfly. Development of this system commenced in 1972. It
was a
successor to the Kub-M3. It entered service with the Soviet Army in
1980. The Buk has been exported to a number of countries. After
collapse of the Soviet Union a number of air defense systems were
passed on to successor states. Currently Russia operates around 350
of these systems. Other operators are Azerbaijan, Belarus, Cyprus, Egypt,
Finland, Georgia, India, North Korea, Ukraine, Syria, Vietnam and
Venezuela.
This air
defense system can defeat maneuvering aircraft and helicopters
flying at low or high altitude when enemy uses electronic
countermeasures. Newer versions of the Buk can also engage ballistic
missiles, cruise missiles, anti-radiation missiles, smart bombs and
unmanned aerial vehicles.
The Buk
fires 9M38 missiles. It is a single-stage and solid-fuel missile. It resembles
a US Tartar and Standard naval air
defense missiles. The missile has semi-active radar guidance. It can
engage targets at a range of 3.4-20.5 km at altitudes over 3 km. The
range is reduced to 5-15.4 km, when the target flies 30 m above the
ground. Maximum engagement altitude is 25 km. The 9M38 missile has a hit probability of 70-93%. The Buk
can also fire older 9M9M3 missiles of the Kub-M3 air defense missile
system.
A Buk TELAR
vehicle is fitted with radar, digital computer, missile erector and
launcher, friend or foe identification system. It is operated by a
crew of four and carries four missiles.
Radar of the
Buk TELAR vehicle searches for targets, tracks them and guides
missiles on them. So if required each TELAR vehicle can operate
autonomously. The radar detects aircraft flying at altitude over 3
km at a range of 65-77 km. Detection range is reduced to 32-41 km
when aircraft fly at 30-100 m above the ground. Low-flying aircraft
are detected at a range of 21-35 km.
When TELAR
operates autonomously it takes about 24-27 seconds from target
detection to missile launch. It can stop and launch its missiles in
about 5 minutes from traveling. It also takes about 5 minutes to
leave the firing position.
A TELAR
vehicle is based on GM-569 special tracked chassis. It is powered by
a multi-fuel diesel engine, developing 710 hp. Later models are
fitted with a more powerful engine, developing 840 hp. Maximum road
speed is limited to 65 km/h. Vehicle is also fitted with auxiliary
power unit, a small gas turbine, which generates electricity and powers all systems when the main
engine is turned off.
Armor
provides protection for the crew against small arms fire and
artillery shell splinters. Vehicle is also fitted with NBC
protection system.
A battery of
Buk includes six TELAR vehicles, six reloading vehicles, that can
also launch missiles, battery command post vehicle, acquisition
radar with detection range up to 120 km, repair and technical service vehicles, transporter
vehicle, mobile crane.
A reloading
vehicle is fitted with a crane and carries 8 missiles. Essentially
it is a combination of the TEL and reloading vehicle. A unique
capability of this vehicle that it can launch missiles itself. It
acquires firing data from the TELAR vehicle. A total of 4 missiles
are ready to fire, while another 4 are carried as reloads. This
reloading vehicle reloads the TELAR within 12
minutes.
Variants
Buk-1, an
early production version of the Buk. It is also referred as Kub-M4.
At the time only Buk TELAR and missile were developed. This TELAR
was incorporated into Kub-M3 batteries as force multiplier. It
entered service with the Soviet Army in 1978.
Buk, a
completely developed missile system with all new system components.
It entered service in 1980.
M-22 Uragan
(SA-N-7 or Gadfly), a naval version of the Buk. It entered service with
the Russian Navy in 1983. Its export version is
the Shtil.
Buk-M1.
Originally known as Buk-M. An improved version of the Buk. It
can engage air-launched cruise missiles. Also it has improved
resistance to electronic countermeasures and anti-radiation
missiles. An improved 9M38M1 missile was introduced for this system. It entered service with the Soviet Army
in 1983-1984.
Buk-M1-2
(SA-17 or Grizzly). It was developed in 1994-1997 and entered service with the Russian Army in
1997-1998.
It fires 9M317 missiles with improved performance. This missile has a maximum range of 45 km
and altitude of 25 km. This air defense system can engage ballistic missiles, cruise
missiles, anti-radiation missiles. Furthermore it can target surface
ships. Its export version is the Gang. Further improved version is
the Buk-M1-2A. It fires 9M317A missiles.
Buk-M2. It
features a new missile and a new third generation phased array fire
control radar. It can track 24 targets and engage 4 targets
simultaneously. This air defense system was presented in 2007. It
was not adopted by the Russian armed forces due to funding problems.
Also at that time a brand new system was developed. Its
export version is known as Ural.
Buk-M2E
export version of the Buk-M2. It was introduced in 2004.
Buk-M2EK
export version. It is based on
MZKT-6922 6x6 wheeled chassis instead
of the tracked. It has been exported to Venezuela. It seems that it
was adopted in 2012.
Ezh
(SA-N-7B), a naval version of the Buk-M2. Its export version is also
known as the Shtil.
Buk-M3 a
brand new
air defense system with advanced electronic components. It is
scheduled for production. The Buk M3 uses a brand new missile, that
has a range of up to 70 km and can reach targets at an altitude of
35 km. It is planned that it will replace older
Buk-M1 systems.
Smerch
(SA-N-7C or Gollum), a naval version of the Buk-M3. It was scheduled for
delivery in 2014. Its export version is the Shtil-1.
Buk-MB a
Belarusian modification of the Buk. It was publicly revealed in
2005. It includes a new Ukrainian-built radar. It uses the same Russian missiles as the Buk-M2. This air
defense system is reportedly in service with Azerbaijan.
Buk-MB2 is a
modernized Belarusian air defense system. It is compatible with
newly developed 9M318 missiles.
Buk-MB3K is
a further modernized Belarusian air defense system. It is based on
an
MZKT-692250 special wheeled chassis with 8x8 configuration. This
air defense system was first publicly revealed in 2019.
HQ-16 a
Chinese version of the Buk. It is based on the naval Shtil. A TEL
vehicle is based on a 6x6 truck. Missiles are stored in containers
and are launched vertically. A TEL vehicles carries 6 missiles
instead of four, but the radar is carried by another truck. The
HQ-16 can engage very low flying and high altitude targets.
Raad,
Iranian wheeled air defense system, using Taer-1 and Taer-2
missiles. It has
similar layout as the Buk, but is based in a heavily modified IVECO 6x6
commercial chassis. It was first publicly revealed in
2012 and soon evolved into many variants.
|