The Stela (GRAU index - 9K35, according to the classification of NATO or the USA - SA-13 Gopher (in trans. Suslik)) - the Soviet anti-aircraft missile system, which was intended to destroy targets at low altitudes and visual control of the airspace. In 1976, he entered service.

The history of the creation of the "Strela"

24 July 1969 of the year, in accordance with the decision of the Council of Ministers of the USSR and the Central Committee of the CPSU, the development of the Strela-9SV 35K10 air defense system began. The development of the complex took place at the Design Bureau of Precision Engineering through the consistent improvement and modification of the Strela-9 air defense system 31K1.

From January 1973 to May 1974, the Strela-10CB anti-aircraft missile system was tested at the test site. In the course of the tests they were to decide on the expediency of entering this complex into service. According to the developers and representatives of the GraU, this air defense system fully complied with the requirements imposed on it. But the opinion of representatives of the landfill and the chairman were different. To the SAM were made claims in terms of insufficient indicator of the probability of hitting the target with a single rocket or using photocontrast and infrared channels. There were doubts about the reliability of the combat vehicle and 9М37 missiles. There were also comments on the convenience of conducting combat crews and to the placement of equipment. In the results, it was decided that the air defense system 9K35 can be put into service only after the elimination of all comments. It was possible to eliminate all the shortcomings by the 1976 year, when the complex, after repeated tests, entered service.

Performance characteristics

This air defense missile system TTX is characterized by high reaction rate and mobility. The launch time of the projectile can vary from five to ten seconds, depending on the conditions in which the equipment is operated. Targeting is done in 3-5 seconds. The distortion of the azimuth data at a distance 6 - 25 km from the object is - 1,5 degrees.

In addition, the Strela-10 air defense missile system has decent firing range characteristics, namely, the maximum distance to the target with an indicator of the probability of hitting a target up to 99,5 percent is equal to 5 kilometers. At the same time, the flight altitude varies from 25 to 3500 m. The speed of the rocket on the heading courses is about 1500 km per hour, after - to 1110 km per hour. The recognition of air targets occurs at a distance of up to 12 thousand meters.

The installation transfer to the combat position from the marching takes no more than 20 with. The full recharge time (four missiles) varies within 2-3 minutes. It takes 3 minutes to roll out active combat weapons.

The total weight of the Strela-10 SAM system is 12,3 tons. In this case, the car develops the speed of movement afloat to 6 km per hour, and on the ground to 61,5 km per hour.

Composition

The main element of the complex is the combat vehicle, which is created on the basis of MT-LB. Compared with the 9K31 complex, the Strela-1 is an increased ammunition set (four missiles on the launcher and four additional missiles located in the fighting compartment of the machine), equipping the 7,62 PKT machine gun for defensive purposes with electric drives.

The machine has a low remote pressure on the ground, which allows it to move on roads with low bearing capacity, along the virgin snow, swamps, sandy terrain. It can not fail to impress that the machine can swim. The chassis has a torsion light, provides a smooth ride and has good maneuverability, thanks to this, it was possible to increase the durability of the launcher and the accuracy of shooting. In addition to the four missiles located on the launcher, the combat vehicle can additionally carry four missiles in the hull.

The main armament is the 9M37 solid-propellant anti-aircraft missile. It is created according to the "duck" pattern. The seeker works in two-channel mode and performs the guidance according to the proportional navigation method. The photocontrast mode is used as the main one, while the infrared guidance mode is used as a reserve mode, which ensures the firing of air targets in conditions of interference, on catch-up and head-on courses. When using IKGSN, liquid nitrogen, located in the body of the rocket container, was used to cool it. As a result, target tracking was carried out only in photocontrast mode, and before launching the rocket, the operator, the gunner, was thinking about additional use of the IKGSN, depending on the conditions of the presence of visual interference. If suddenly the IKGSN was used, but the launch was canceled, then the IKGSN could not be reused due to the lack of nitrogen. Behind the wings were ailerons, with the help of which the angular velocity of rotation of the rocket is limited.

On the 9M37 SAM, compared with the 9М31, a more effective rod-type warhead was installed, equipped with a contact and non-contact fuse. In the event of a missile rocket just self-destructed.

AOZ (zone assessment equipment) 9С86

To determine the automatic calculation of the angles and the target position for the pre-launching of the missile defense in the 9K35 complex, zone assessment equipment is used, which provides a calculating device and a millimeter-wave radio range finder.

Modifications

 Strela-10M 9K35 M

The main difference of the complex from the basic version was the use of new homing heads of 9K37M missiles. The new GOS calculated the target by trajectory signs, which significantly reduced the effectiveness of trap interference.

"Arrow-10М2"

The air defense missile system was created by decision of the MOP and Grau. The reason was the urgent need to improve the degree of automation of the combat operation of the complex. The main difference was in the availability of automated reception and targeting devices from the PU-12M battery command center, from the radar detection and command post of the air defense chief. On the sides of the combat vehicle, polyurethane foam floats were installed to overcome water obstacles with a machine gun and a full set of missiles. In 1981, the complex was put into service.

Strela-10M3 9-35M

By decision of the Council of Ministers of the USSR from 1 April 1983, the engineers began to develop a subsequent modification of the Strela-10 air defense system. The new air defense system should conduct a more effective fight with visually visible low-flying helicopters, airplanes, from a standstill and with short stops in conditions of intense optical interference. After the tests, which took place in 1989, the complex entered service, since it satisfied absolutely all the demands made on it.

«Стрела-10М4» 9К35М4

As part of the ZRK thermal imaging system, ASC. The spectral range of the thermal channel is 3-5 µm. The complex allows you to fire on the following principle, "shot and forget." Armament includes eight missiles 9М333 (9М37МД, 9М37М). The speed of the targets hit is up to 420 meters per second.

"Arrow-10MN"

Domestic modification, which was created by JSC "KB precision engineering them. A.E. Nudelman "to improve the following RZK" Strela-10М3, "Strela-10М2", "Strela-10М". The complex is equipped with a thermal imaging system, automatic capture and target tracking, as well as a scanning unit. With 2015, it is supplied to the Airborne Forces and the WWVO SV.

"Arrow-10T"

Belarusian modification, which was created by NPO Tetrahedr based on Strela-10М2. The complex is equipped with the OEC-1TM optoelectronic system, GPS navigation equipment and a digital computing system. The complex can be placed on a wheeled chassis.

SAM 9M333

The new anti-aircraft missile for the Strela-10 SAM system, just like the 9М37, was created using the aerodynamic “duck” scheme. The rocket is equipped with a transport and launch container and an engine of increased efficiency. In addition, the rocket has a new homing head, warhead and autopilot. The new GOS has 3 operating mode, in addition to photo red and infrared, there is interference mode. The autopilot ensures stable operation of the GOS, as well as the control circuit of the rocket. The new warhead has a weight of 5 kg (on the 9М37 SAMs, the 3 kg was). By increasing the explosive projectile, the cross section and the length of the damaging elements, increased the probability of hitting targets. The length of the rocket was increased to 2,23 meters. Just like the 9М37 rocket, the 9М333 rocket can be used by all modifications of the Strela-10 system.

Indicators of export

Currently, approximately 500 original and modified Strely-10 complexes are in service with Russia. The first export is Belarus. It has about 350 9K35. Behind her, with 250 complexes, is India. The third line is occupied by Ukraine with 150 air defense missile system. In addition, among the countries that constantly buy 9K35 from Russia are Jordan, Azerbaijan, Yemen, Angola, Cuba, Slovakia, Macedonia, Syria, Turkmenistan, Libya, Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Czech Republic.

Combat application

• The war in the Persian Gulf. In the winter of 1991 of the year, during Operation Desert Storm, the Iraqi Strela-10 complexes shot down two consecutive American assault aircraft A-10 Thunderbolt II.
• The war in Angola.
• The armed conflict in the eastern part of Ukraine, was used by the militias.
• The civil war in Syria - in 2018, Syria's air defenses reflected a missile strike from Britain, the United States and France. A total of the Strela-10 SAM system launched 5 missiles, as a result of which the target was hit by 3. The US Defense Department denies these claims, according to the Pentagon’s information, Syria’s air defense failed to destroy more than one aircraft or missile.

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