[EstovakianHarrierPlus]

S-300PMU
- Heavy SAM -



Origin: (Real World)
Russia

Games Featured In:
Ace Combat: Assault Horizon

Operators:
Russian Army

Overview:
The S-300PMU surface-to-air missile system is able to engage a number of targets simultaneously, countering intensive aircraft raids at low-to-high altitude. The SA-10 offers significant advantages over older strategic surface-to-air missile systems, including multi-target handling and engagement characteristics, a capability against low altitude targets with small radar cross-sections such as cruise missiles, a capability against tactical ballistic missiles, and possibly a potential to intercept some types of strategic ballistic missiles.

The first SA-10 site became operational in 1980. Over 80 sites were operational by 1987, when work was progressing on at least another 20 sites. Nearly half of these sites were located near Moscow, Russia. This emphasis on Moscow as well as the deployment patterns noted for the other SA-10 sites suggested a first priority on terminal defense of command-and-control, military, and key industrial complexes. A program to replace all of the older strategic SAM systems with the SA-10, well under way by 1996, has been considered by experts to be one of the most successful re-equipment programs of the post-Soviet armed forces.

This vertically launched missile uses a single-stage solid propellant rocket motor. It is normally armed with a 100 kg HE-fragmentation warhead with a proximity fuse, though a low yield tactical nuclear type is believed to be an alternative warhead option. The missile's vertical launch trajectory provides fastest available reaction time capability to counter targets approaching from any azimuth. Missile engagement altitude extend from 25 m up to about 30,000 m. The maximum engagement range is stated as at least 90000 m, though in practice it is probably greater.

The SA-10A launch complex consists of a missile battery which includes a battery command post and engagement control center, the large CLAM SHELL 3D continuous wave pulse Doppler target acquisition radar, the FLAP LID A I-band multi-function phased-array trailer-mounted engagement radar with digital beam steering in hardened sites, and up to 12 semi-trailer erector-launchers which mount four tubular missile container-launchers. The towing unit for the semi-trailer erector-launcher is the KrAZ-260V (6 x 6) tractor truck. The launchers are usually positioned on concrete pads with the trailers being leveled by the use of four hydraulic jacks. An S-300PMU Regiment comprises three such batteries and employs the BIG BIRD 4 meter tall F-band long-range, 3D surveillance and tracking radar at the Regimental command post for initial target detection.

Sources:
Ace Combat: Assault Horizon - In Game Info
IGN.com

[EstovakianHarrierPlus]

PWNED! (in reaction to seeing the image) Looks like we've got a new threat folks.

[JianDaoXiao]

S-300 PMU printable



S-300 PMU model

[viperzerof-2]

so how effective are modern sams like the s-300 at fighting aircraft?

[Heinkel]

"If you're not a B-2 you're boned" effective

[EstovakianHarrierPlus]

@viperzero, the S-300.. is err... one of the deadliest anti-aircraft systems in the world.

[viperzerof-2]

well I know that and have herd of the system frequently in the past but I feel a bit skeptical of the claim given that that title as been used before. However not being extremely knowledgeable on sams (or anything military other then planes) I have been asking around. its not that I disagree the system is one of the best but simply that in the past sams have been unsuccessful in stopping planes from destroying or damaging their targets with few exceptions that were remedied with slight adjustments in tactics and electronics (the SA-6 in 1973 and then in 1982 best demonstrates this). that is why i am looking for the opinions of those more knowledgeable then myself and if possible studies and reports.

[EstovakianHarrierPlus]

Russia canceled their S-300 deliveries to Iran lol. Too bad they didn't cancel the delivery for China.

[Heinkel]

China has the HQ-9 anyways.

As to viperzero, suffice to say that outside of low-altitude Wild Wasel strikes, which are rather easily defeatable by inorganic AAA, MANPADS and SPAAG when you're up against a technological enemy; the S-300/400 will pretty much paste any non-stealth aircraft that gets near (and even then, F-22 and F-35 have fairly slim chances). In fact, it incorporates systems that learn from the highs and lows of the service lives of other SAMs in the past such as home-on-jam, low-frequency scan radars, directed blast warheads, third party designator support, etc.

[viperzerof-2]

ok then but I have a few questions to ask then. if the system is so effective then why bother investing in air power of any kind that would be totally useless in war against a comparability cheep system?

[Heinkel]

viperzerof-2, on 13 May 2011 - 04:08 AM, said:

ok then but I have a few questions to ask then. if the system is so effective then why bother investing in air power of any kind that would be totally useless in war against a comparability cheep system?

Because air power and air defense are absolutely different things. You cannot transport supplies, conduct SAR, hunt submarines, conduct interceptions, do CAS, command troops, spy on enemy comms or deploy paratroopers with SAM batteries.

[viperzerof-2]

but if sams are that effective then an aircraft would not be able to do any of the things you mentioned.

[Heinkel]

The entire planet isn't carpeted in SAMs, there are non-combat uses to military aircraft and even then only a few states have S-300/400, which isn't precisely cheap to start off...

[EstovakianHarrierPlus]

Is it really possible to modify the S-300 to a SSM launcher?

[Heinkel]

No. Although there are some S-300 trucks that have variants adapted to fire SSMs, there's pretty much zero of the original S-300 system remaining

[viperzerof-2]

Heinkel, on 13 May 2011 - 10:35 PM, said:

The entire planet isn't carpeted in SAMs, there are non-combat uses to military aircraft and even then only a few states have S-300/400, which isn't precisely cheap to start off...

at the moment but if the system is as effective as you say then its only a matter of time until cheap similarly effective system are built. could it be that its effectivness is exagerated especially since we have never seen it in action.

[EstovakianHarrierPlus]

Heinkel, on 14 May 2011 - 04:06 AM, said:

No. Although there are some S-300 trucks that have variants adapted to fire SSMs, there's pretty much zero of the original S-300 system remaining

In heatseeker, S-300's can fire SSM's lol.

[Heinkel]

viperzerof-2, on 14 May 2011 - 05:03 AM, said:

at the moment but if the system is as effective as you say then its only a matter of time until cheap similarly effective system are built. could it be that its effectivness is exagerated especially since we have never seen it in action.

By the time it becomes cheap enough for third world states to mass-buy it, it will be an outdated system that will probably be defeated by aircraft of the time

[Eurocanard]

JianDaoXiao, on 13 May 2011 - 04:59 PM, said:

could somebody find a real pic of it with only 6x6 wheels?

How about a few?



Seems to be an export variant of the launcher. It's based on a Ukrainian 6x6, the KrAz-260, making it cheaper than the typical launcher at the expense of off-road ability.