News

2016-12-04

New Russian Buk-M3 SAM enters service

Advanced Buk-M3 introduces containerised missiles

Russia has received its first Buk-M3 medium range surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems, a modernised version of the Buk-M2 system, defence minister Sergei Shoigu has announced.The Buk-M3 medium-range surface-to-air missile system features advanced electronic components and a deadly new missile. It outperforms the old S-300P long-range air defense system.The new Buk-M3 system was also shown on Russian television for the first time on 23 October by TV Zvezda.

Design

Development of the Buk M3 began back in 1990, although the process was plagued with delays. It will be replacing the older Buk M1 systems.

The Buk-M3 system boasts a new digital computer, high-speed data exchange system and a tele-thermal imaging target designator instead of the tele-optical trackers used in previous models.

A battery of Buk-M3 missiles can track and engage up to 36 targets simultaneously, while its advanced 9R31M missile is capable of knocking down all existing flying objects, including highly manoeuvrable ones, even during active electronic jamming. The Buk-M3 can also engage sea and land targets, due to its vertical launch capability.

This air defense system can engage tactical and strategic aircraft, helicopters, short-range ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, air-launched missiles, anti-radiation missiles, guided bombs and other aerodynamic vehicles. This air defense system can operate in heavy enemy jamming conditions.

The 9M317M missile and launch canister used by the Buk-M3 is believed to be the same as that found in the new naval 3S90M version of the Buk.

Armament and radar system

A Buk-M3 missile battery consists of two TELAR 9A317M (Transporter Erector LAuncher and Radar) and one TEL 9A316M (Transporter Erector Launcher) vehicle.

The Buk M3 uses a new 9M317M missile, which was first publicly revealed in 2006.

A Buk M3 TELAR vehicle is fitted with radar, missile erector and launcher, and friend or foe identification system. It is operated by a crew of 4. The Buk-M3 9A317M TELAR vehicle carries six containerised 9M317M missiles.

The new missile has a range of up to 70 km. Maximum altitude is 35 km. Minimum range of fire is 2.5 km and minimum altitude is around 15 meters. The missile is fitted with high-explosive fragmentation warhead. In case of emergency missiles can be launched against contrast surface targets, such as ships.

Missiles of the Buk M3 are stored in and launched from containers. It is worth noting that the Buk was the last Soviet/Russian mobile air defense system, that had its missiles stored openly, rather than in containers.

Buk TELARS, and its radar is paired with an integrated identification friend-or-foe system. Radar of the Buk M3 searches for targets, tracks them and guides missiles on them. The system has a third generation phased array fire control radar.

The new missile/container layout allows for a similar upgrade in capacity for the new 9A316M transporter erector launcher (TEL), which carries 12 missiles over the 8 normally carried by older Buk TELs.

Also there is a TEL vehicle that lacks radar, but carries 2 pods with a total of 12 missiles. It acquires firing data from the Buk M3 TELAR vehicle, or command post vehicle. Essentially this unique launcher vehicle acts as a force multiplifier. Similar concept was used on the older Buk systems. However these use reloading vehicles, that can launch missiles themselves, rather than separate TELs.

The TELAR of the Buk M3 was based on a GM-569 special tracked chassis. This vehicle is powered by a diesel engine.

Normally the Buk M3 TELAR operates as part of an air defence unit. A battery of Buk M3 TELARs and TELs is controlled by an automated control system. There is also a command post vehicle, detection and target designation radar, and reloading vehicles. A battery of the Buk M3 can engage up to 36 air targets simultaneously. However if required each TELAR vehicle can operate autonomously.

Reloading vehicle of the Buk M3 will be based on a BAZ 8x8 wheeled chassis. This vehicle has good cross-country mobility. It is fitted with a crane and carries 4 pods with a total of 24 missiles. Modular arrangement of the missiles allowed to speed up reloading.

Mobility

The Buk-M3 missile system is mounted on an tracked armoured chassis GM-569A as the Buk-M2. The Buk-M3 armoured vehicle is motorised with a V-46 multifuel diesel engine developing 710 hp at the maximum speed of 2.000 rpm. The hydro-mechanical transmission has a two-flow differential arrangement and includes a 4-speed planetary gearbox, an all-gear planetary reverse with a gear ratio of a unit, an integrated torque converter with a lockup friction clutch, summing rows, an input matching reduction unit comprising a bevel and a cylindrical pair of gears, control system pumps and a hydrostatic steering gear. The control of the hydro-mechanical transmission is electro-hydraulic.

The cooling system of the engine and transmission system is of an ejection type and uses the traction engine exhaust energy The power required for the cooling system does not exceed 15 hp. The cooling system includes an ejector and a package of liquid-air radiators of the engine cooling and lubrication systems, the transmission oil system and the suspension shock absorber cooling system.

The suspension either side consists of six dual road wheels with the drive sprocket at the rear, idler at the front and four track-return rollers which support the inside of the double-pin track only. The vehicle can run at a maximum speed of 70 Km/h with a maximum road range of 500 km. The crew of 4 is located at the front of the vehicle. The crew enters and leave the vehicle via two large hatches located at the front of the armoured chassis. The vehicle is protected against firing of small arms and shell splinters.

Reference Text/Photo: www.wikipedia.org,www.armytechnology.com