Tactics for using the dot y tactical missile system. The whole point is in the name: the Tochka-U missile system
The types of modern missile weapons are very numerous and varied. Strategic missiles are designed to hit targets tens of thousands of kilometers away and usually carry a nuclear warhead. However, there are other missiles whose task is to destroy important targets located in the immediate rear of the enemy. Such missiles are called tactical and operational-tactical. They can also have a nuclear warhead, but even with a conventional warhead, such missiles are formidable weapons that can significantly change the situation in a local area of an armed conflict.
The USSR knew how to make not only strategic intercontinental missiles capable of destroying entire states. Since the 50s of the last century, Soviet designers have been developing tactical and operational-tactical missile systems. Names such as “Luna”, “Oka”, “Elbrus” (this is the famous “Scud”) were well known to the potential enemy. One of the most successful Soviet developments in this area was the Tochka tactical missile system (and then Tochka-U).
Tochka-U is still in service with the Russian army today; in addition, this missile is used in the armies of several other countries around the world.
History of creation
Work on the creation of the Tochka missile system began in 1968. It was this year that the resolution of the USSR Council of Ministers was issued, according to which the Mechanical Engineering Design Bureau (Kolomna) was appointed the main contractor of the work; its head at that moment was the talented Soviet weapons designer Invincible.
The new missile system was created to destroy important targets in the enemy’s tactical rear. The accuracy of the new rocket was declared right in the name of the project - “Tochka”.
During the same period, other enterprises participating in the new project were identified: the chassis for the new complex was to be manufactured by the Bryansk Automobile Plant, the Central Research Institute of Automation and Hydraulics was developing the control system, and the Barricades software was developing the launcher.
Testing of the new missile system began three years later, and in 1973 its serial production began, but the Tochka was accepted into service only in 1976. The complex was equipped with 9M79 missiles, which could carry two types of warheads: high-explosive fragmentation and nuclear. The flight range of the new missile was 70 km, and the probable deviation from a given point was 250 meters.
Immediately after the Tochka complex was put into service, work began on a new modification of the missile, which was planned to be equipped with new electronics. The new missile was equipped with a passive homing head and received the Tochka-R index. However, the new missile system was never put into service.
In 1984, work began on modernizing the Tochka complex. The military wanted to improve its main characteristics, namely the missile’s flight range and its accuracy. Tests were carried out from 1986 to 1988, and a year later Tochka-U was put into service.
The improved complex can also fire Tochka missiles.
The result of the modernization of the complex was a significant improvement in its main characteristics. The range of hitting targets has increased to 120 km, and the accuracy of the missile has also significantly improved - the probable deviation of the missile from the target has decreased to 100 meters. The new missiles received a more advanced navigation and guidance system.
Combat use
The missile systems managed to take part in several local conflicts. The Russian army actively used Tochka-U against the separatists during both Chechen campaigns.
These systems were also used by the Russian army against Georgian troops during the war in 2008.
The Ukrainian army used Tochka-U very actively and effectively during the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
Yemen's Houthis launched a Tochka-U attack on a camp of Saudi troops and their allies. There is information that as a result, more than a hundred military personnel were killed, several dozen armored vehicles and even several helicopters were destroyed.
Description of the complex
The Tochka-U missile system was developed to destroy single, group, and area targets in the enemy’s tactical rear that are of significant importance: command posts and communications centers, aircraft and helicopter parking areas, ammunition and fuel depots.
The complex includes:
- 9M79-1 missiles, which can be equipped with various types of warheads;
- launcher;
- transport vehicle;
- transport-charging machine;
- control and testing machine;
- maintenance machine;
- educational and training facilities;
- a set of arsenal equipment.
“Tochka-U” is a very universal tool that can be used in any conflict and to solve various problems. The missile can be equipped with different types of warheads: high-explosive, cluster, warheads containing various types of chemical or biological weapons. The rocket can also be used to deliver nuclear weapons (up to 100 kt).
The main element of the complex is the 9M79M (9M79-1) solid-fuel ballistic missile, which has one stage. The missile is controlled throughout its flight, from launch to hitting the target.
The warhead is not separated at the final stage of the flight; moreover, the engine operates from the launch of the missile until it meets the target. It has only one operating mode and during its operation burns more than 800 kilograms of fuel.
The rocket body consists of a head and a rocket part. It is made of a special aluminum alloy. The head part is secured with six bolts.
The arrangement of the rudders and aerodynamic surfaces of the rocket is X-shaped. The rocket part consists of the tail, engine and instrument compartments and aerodynamic surfaces. In its front part there is an instrument compartment, and in the middle part there is an engine compartment. The tail section houses the engine nozzle, power source, and part of the control system. Lattice aerodynamic rudders are also located there.
In total, the rocket has four trapezoidal wings, four gas-jet rudders and the same number of aerodynamic rudders. In the stowed position, all wings are folded. Immediately after launch, the rocket is controlled using gas-jet rudders, and then aerodynamic lattice rudders come into play.
A solid fuel engine consists of a combustion chamber and a nozzle block, with a fuel charge and an ignition system. Alloy steels, graphite-based materials and tungsten alloys are used to manufacture the engine.
The fuel charge is a monoblock, the main combustible material of which is aluminum powder, and the binder is rubber. The oxidizing agent is ammonium perchlorate. During engine operation, the fuel charge burns at a uniform speed, providing a constant combustion area from the very start until hitting the target.
The ignition system consists of two squibs and an igniter. During launch, the squibs ignite the igniter, which in turn ignites the fuel charge.
The onboard missile control system is inertial; it is equipped with an on-board computer complex and a 9B64 gyroscope, which ensures high accuracy in hitting targets. The on-board control system also includes angular velocity and acceleration sensors.
The missile is controlled throughout its entire ballistic flight path, unlike earlier models of Soviet tactical and operational-tactical missiles, in which control occurred only up to a certain point (usually before reaching a given speed).
When approaching the target, the missile performs a maneuver that ensures that the charge meets the target at an almost right angle. The Tochka-U high-explosive warhead is detonated at an altitude of 20 meters, which enhances its destructive effect. Air blasting is carried out using a laser sensor.
The Tochka-U missile system is very mobile and has good speed thanks to the six-wheeled all-wheel drive 9P129 installation on which it is made. On the highway it can reach speeds of up to 60 km/h with a full combat load. The car can also overcome water obstacles at a speed of 10 km/h.
The launcher electronics completely independently carry out all the manipulations necessary for the launch; crew intervention is minimal. Flight data is entered in a horizontal position of the rocket through a special window in its body. To calculate the mission and flight path, space reconnaissance and aerial photography data are used.
The missile can be launched from almost any site; the deployment speed when firing from a march is 16 minutes, and from the “ready No. 1” position it is only 2 minutes. There is only one requirement: the target must be in a sector of 15 degrees from the longitudinal axis of the missile.
The launcher can leave the launch site in two to three minutes. The missile is brought to the launch angle only fifteen seconds before launch. This greatly complicates the work of enemy intelligence.
The crew of the launcher consists of four people: the crew chief, the driver, the senior operator and the operator.
The missiles of the complex are delivered to the troops already assembled and can be stored for ten years (in non-nuclear ammunition). The missile is placed on the launcher using a transport-loading machine, which is also based on the BAZ-5922 chassis. There are two missiles in the sealed body of the car. For loading onto the launcher, the transport-loading vehicle is equipped with a special crane. Loading can be carried out on any, even unequipped, sites.
The charging process takes approximately twenty minutes.
In addition to the transport-loading vehicle, the complex also includes a transport vehicle that does not have loading equipment.
Despite their advanced age, the Tochka-U missile systems are not planned to be removed from service. Perhaps over time, when the industry will be able to produce more modern Iskander missile systems for the Russian army in sufficient quantities.
Specifications
Below are the tactical and technical characteristics of the Tochka tactical missile system.
General information | |
Type | Tactical |
Firing range, km: | |
minimum | 15 |
maximum | 70 |
Types of combat units | simple, nuclear |
Terms of Use: | |
temperature, °C | from -40 to +50 (up to 6 hours – from -60 to +40, from +50 to +60) |
wind speed, m/s | up to 25 |
Air transportability | Yes |
Self-propelled launcher | |
Crew, people | 3 |
Base | wheeled, 6x6 |
Weight, t: | |
empty | 17,8 |
equipped | 18,145 |
Ground clearance, mm | 400 |
Engine | diesel 5D20B-300 |
Power, l. With. | 300 |
Maximum speed, km/h: | |
along the highway | 60 |
on the ground | 40 |
off-road | 15 |
afloat | 8 |
Cruising range, km | 650 |
Time, min: | |
preparation for launch from readiness No. 1 | 1-2 |
preparing for launch from the march | 16-20 |
leaving the firing position | 1,5 |
Interval between starts, min | 40 |
Transport-charging machine | |
Crew, people | 3 |
Base | wheeled, 6x6 |
Curb weight, t | 18,15 |
Ground clearance, mm | 400 |
Engine | diesel 5D20B-300 |
Power, l. With. | 300 |
Maximum speed, km/h: | |
along the highway | 60 |
on the ground | 40 |
off-road | 15 |
afloat | 8 |
Cruising range, km | 650 |
Launcher reload time, min | 19 |
Performance characteristics of the 9M79 missile | |
Type | solid fuel, single stage |
Types of combat units | nuclear, high-explosive fragmentation, cluster fragmentation |
Control system | autonomous, inertial |
Controls | gas-dynamic and aerodynamic rudders |
Length, mm: | |
rockets | 6400 |
warhead | 2325 |
Weight, kg: | |
rockets at launch | 2000 |
warhead | 482 |
fuel | 926 |
Fuel | DAP-15V |
Engine thrust, kgf | 9788 |
Engine operating time, sec | 18,4-28 |
Trajectory height, km | » 6-26″ |
Flight time, sec | 43-163 |
Video about the missile system
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Development divisional missile system "Tochka" was started by the Decree of the Council of Ministers of March 4, 1968. The Tochka complex was intended to use a missile launcher to destroy ground-based reconnaissance and strike complexes, command posts of various types of troops, aircraft and helicopter stands, reserve troop groups, ammunition storage facilities, fuel and other materiel.
The Kolomenskoe Design Bureau of Mechanical Engineering was appointed as the lead executor on the topic, and S.P. Nepobedimy as the chief designer. The missile control system was developed at the Central Research Institute of AG. The launcher was designed and mass-produced by the Barricades Production Association in Volgograd. Serial production of missiles was carried out by the Votkinsk Machine-Building Plant. The chassis for the launcher and transport-loading vehicles were manufactured in Bryansk.
The first two launches of Tochka guided missiles were carried out in 1971 during factory flight tests. Serial production of the missile began in 1973, although the complex was officially put into service in 1976. The Tochka complex had a firing range from 15 to 70 km and an average circular deviation of 250 m.
In April 1971, development of a modification began "Point-R" with a passive homing system for radio-emitting targets (radars, radio stations, etc.). The guidance system provided a target acquisition range at a distance of at least 15 km. At the same time, the design of the missile, with the exception of the warhead, remained unchanged. It was assumed that the accuracy of Tochka-R's guidance on a continuously operating target did not exceed 45 m, and the affected area was over two hectares.
In 1989, the modified 9K79 complex was put into service. "Tochka-U". Its main difference is its long range and shooting accuracy.
In the west the complex received the designation SS-21 "Scarab".
The Tochka-U complex is armed with the 9M79 missile, which has versions 9M79F, 9M79K, etc., depending on the type of warhead. The warhead can be nuclear AA-60, high-explosive 9N123F, cassette 9N123K and others. The cassette warhead contains a cassette with fifty fragmentation submunitions. The rocket engine is single-mode solid propellant. The head of the rocket does not separate in flight. The missile is controlled throughout its entire trajectory, which ensures high accuracy. At the final section of the trajectory, the missile rotates and vertically dives towards the target. To achieve the maximum affected area, an air blast of the warhead above the target is ensured.
The missile control system is autonomous, inertial, with an on-board digital computer complex. Its executive bodies are lattice aerodynamic rudders located on the tail section of the rocket and driven by steering machines. At the initial segment of the trajectory, when the rocket speed is insufficient for the effective action of the aerodynamic rudders, control occurs using gas-dynamic rudders. On-board electricity consumers are powered by a generator, the turbine of which is driven by hot gas generated by a block of gas generators.
To point the Tochka-U at a target, digital terrain maps are used, obtained from the results of space or aerial photography of enemy territory. Now the main source of photographs is the archive of the GRU Space Intelligence Center.
The main combat vehicles of the complex are the 9P129M-1 launcher and the 9T218–1 transport-loading vehicle
The 9P129M-1 launcher equipment itself solves all the problems of fixing the launch point, calculating the flight mission and aiming the missile. No topographic and geodetic and engineering preparation of launch positions and meteorological support are required during rocket launches. If necessary, 16–20 minutes after completing the march and arriving at the position, the missile can be launched towards the target, and after another 1.5 minutes the launcher is already able to leave this point in order to eliminate the possibility of being hit by a retaliatory strike. During aiming, combat duty, and also during most operations of the launch cycle, the missile is in a horizontal position and its rise begins only 15 seconds before launch. This ensures high secrecy of the strike preparation from enemy tracking means. A guide with a mechanism for changing the elevation angle is mounted in the cargo compartment of the launcher, on which one missile can be transported. In the stowed position, the guide with the rocket is installed horizontally, while the cargo compartment is closed from above with two doors. In the combat position, the doors are open and the guide is installed at the required elevation angle.
The 9T218–1 transport-loading vehicle (TZM) is the main means of quickly providing launch batteries with ammunition for missile strikes. In its sealed compartment, two missiles with warheads docked, fully ready for launch, can be stored and transported around the combat area. The special equipment of the vehicle, including a hydraulic drive, a jib crane and some other systems, makes it possible to load the launcher within about 19 minutes. This operation can be performed on any unprepared engineering site, the dimensions of which allow the launcher and the transport-loading vehicle to be placed side by side. Missiles in metal containers can also be stored and transported on transport vehicles of the complex. Each of them is capable of placing two missiles or four warheads.
The launcher and transport-loading vehicle are mounted on wheeled chassis 5921 and 5922. Both chassis are equipped with a six-cylinder diesel engine 5D20B-300. All wheels of the chassis are driven, tires with air pressure regulated through a centralized system are 1200 x 500 x 508. The chassis has a fairly high ground clearance of 400 mm. For movement on water, water-jet propulsion and propeller-type pumps are provided. The suspension of all wheels is independent torsion bar. The wheels of the first and third pairs are steerable. On the water, the chassis is controlled by the dampers of the water jets and channels built into the hull. Both cars are capable of driving on and off all categories of roads.
In addition to the launcher and heavy equipment, the complex includes an automated control and testing vehicle, a maintenance vehicle, a set of arsenal equipment and training facilities.
Organizationally, the complex is part of the MSD or TD, as well as individual brigades (2–3 RDN each), in a division there are 2–3 launch batteries, in a battery there are 2–3 launchers. Combat work is carried out on the move by a crew of 3 people in the shortest possible time.
During the demonstration of the Tochka-U complex at the international exhibition IDEX-93, 5 launches were carried out, during which the minimum deviation was several meters, and the maximum was less than 50 m.
The Tochka-U complex was actively used by federal forces to destroy military installations in Chechnya. In particular, the complex was used by the 58th Combined Arms Army to strike militant positions in the Bamut area. A large weapons depot and a fortified terrorist camp were chosen as targets. Their exact location was revealed by space reconnaissance, which then tracked the ballistic trajectory of the missiles until the moment of destruction.
TTX
Performance characteristics | PU 9P129M-1 |
Launcher mass (with rocket and crew), kg | 18145 |
Technical resource, km | 15000 |
Crew, people | 3 |
Temperature range of operation, degrees. WITH | from -40 to +50 |
Service life, years | at least 10, of which 3 years in the field |
Wheel formula | 6x6 |
PU weight, kg | 17800 |
Load capacity, kg | 7200 |
Speed on land, km/h | 70 |
Speed afloat, km/h | 8 |
Cruising range, km | 650 |
Engine | diesel, liquid cooling |
Engine power, l. With | 300 at 2600 rpm |
The Tochka-U missile, according to the vice-president of the college of military experts, Alexander Vladimirov, is a destructive weapon, but outdated.
— It was used in the staff of motorized rifle and tank divisions in the USSR in the late 1980s and was intended to destroy massive concentrations of troops. This missile has extremely low accuracy, - notes Vladimirov. — The very fact that the Ukrainian military used Tochka-U against the rebels only speaks of their hopelessness. The Ukrainian military hit without looking: this missile can miss not only a point, but even the country. They hit Donbass, but they could have hit Russia.
“This is by no means a targeted missile, but a tactical weapon designed to destroy the rear of army corps groups. For work in deep rear areas, communications centers, and headquarters. The fact that it was used shows that this is not a counter-terrorism operation. Such powerful weapons are not used against terrorists,- says Boris Yulin, a military expert.
As the Interfax news agency reports, citing a source in the security forces of the Southern Federal District, the Russian military base in South Ossetia has received a division of the Tochka-U operational-tactical missile system. Georgian special services have already received official notification of the deployment of missile weapons in South Ossetia.
In December 2010, it became known that a Russian military base located near Tskhinvali received a division of the Smerch multiple launch rocket system. The decision to deploy missile weapons on the territory of South Ossetia was made " to prevent possible aggression from Georgia».
A Russian military base was deployed in South Ossetia after the August five-day war of 2008 and recognition of the republic by Russia. The Russian contingent is stationed in the garrisons of Tskhinvali and Java. By agreement with the local authorities, the base is located for 49 years with the possibility of extension.
BRIEF INFORMATION
Modernized tactical (divisional) missile system "Tochka-U"(NATO designation - Scarab B "Scarab") began to enter the troops in 1989. Organizationally, the missile complex is represented as part of a brigade, which includes 2-3 divisions. Each missile division has 2-3 launch batteries with 2-3 launchers in each battery.
The missile system includes:
- 9M79M missile with various types of warheads;
— launcher 9P129-1M;
— transport-charging machine;
- transport vehicle;
— automated control and testing machine;
— maintenance vehicle;
— a set of arsenal equipment.
Launcher mounted on a three-axle amphibious vehicle chassis BAZ-5921. The front and rear pairs of wheels are steerable, which provides a relatively small turning radius of 7 meters. The launcher's hardware makes it possible to use it completely autonomously.
Tactical and technical characteristics of the Tochka-U complex:
Firing range - 15…120 km
Rocket speed - 1000 m/s
Starting weight - 2010 kg
Warhead weight - 482 kg
Missile warheads:
- special;
- cassette - 50 combat elements weighing 7.45 kg;
- high-explosive fragmentation;
- high-explosive fragmentation with a radar homing head.
Pre-launch preparation time:
- from readiness No. 1 - 2 min.
— from the march - 16 minutes.
Launcher mass (with rocket and crew) - 18145 kg
Maximum speed of movement of the launcher:
— on the highway - 60 km/h
— afloat - 8 km/h
Fuel range of combat vehicles (fully loaded) - 650 km
The technical resource of combat vehicles is 15,000 km.
Crew - 4 people.
Ballistic missile 9M79M differs from the missiles of previous tactical missile systems in that the flight of the missile is controlled not by controlling the engine operating time and not by setting the initial launch angle, but by using aerodynamic controls - wings and rudders with an original lattice design.
In addition, the aerodynamic rudders are duplicated by gas-dynamic rudders installed at the outlet of the jet engine nozzle. In this case, not only the ballistic trajectory is corrected, but also guidance is carried out at its final section (including according to commands from the radar homing head). Gas-dynamic rudders provide control at the initial part of the trajectory, when aerodynamic rudders are not effective enough at low flight speeds.
The missiles are equipped with a single-mode solid fuel jet engine, which ensures the high readiness of the complex for combat use, in contrast to complexes with non-ampulized liquid-fueled missiles, where refueling operations took a lot of time, and the refueled missiles could only be stored for a very limited time.
Initially, the complex was developed for the use of a special (nuclear) warhead. In addition to them, high-explosive fragmentation and cluster warheads, as well as warheads with a passive radar homing head, were developed. The warhead is inseparable.
For greater efficiency, a high-explosive fragmentation warhead is detonated at altitudes of about 10-20 meters. At the same time, the warhead is designed in such a way that when detonated, a focused blast wave and a directed stream of fragments are formed. In this case, the rocket itself rotates to a position close to vertical with respect to the surface of the earth.
All this together increases the effectiveness of the combat unit in destroying buried command posts or warehouses of the enemy’s infrastructure. The maximum area of the complete destruction zone for this warhead is 3 hectares.
The deployment of a cluster warhead, equipped with 50 fragmentation combat elements, occurs at an altitude of 2 kilometers. Such a warhead is intended to destroy manpower and unarmored equipment located in open areas. The maximum area of the complete destruction zone for this warhead is 7 hectares.
Missiles with warheads equipped with a passive radar seeker, are designed to hit targets equipped with radar stations. In particular, such missiles were used in stationary coastal anti-ship systems.
/Based on materials lenta.ru And en.wikipedia.org /
...In recent decades, the main emphasis in the conduct of combat operations has sharply shifted towards delivering accurate and powerful strikes in the depths of the enemy’s defense and deep behind the enemy’s rear. These strikes are capable of being carried out by aircraft and missile systems (RK). The second category includes tactical and operational-tactical missile systems. There is no escape from the latter, unlike aviation, at any time of the day, in any weather.
When creating modern missile systems, the priority was to significantly increase the effectiveness of conventional combat units of various equipment. It was supposed to be solved by achieving very high shooting accuracy with a noticeable increase in the probability of overcoming missile defense. The second goal in the development of new missile launchers was the creation of launchers (PUs) that provide higher secrecy in preparing for a missile launch with high cross-country ability and autonomy of action. The minimum time for deployment of the complex and the subsequent launch of a missile from previously unprepared positions were also important. To a large extent, the implementation of these tasks had to be achieved with a high degree of automation.
The first complex of this kind, created in the Soviet Union and put into service in 1976, was the Tochka tactical missile system.
In the regional center of Kolomna, not far from Moscow, the buildings of the Mechanical Engineering Design Bureau are located. It was here, under the leadership of Sergei Nepobedimy, that work on “Tochka” was carried out.
The creation of the Tochka tactical missile system began with a resolution of the USSR Council of Ministers of March 4, 1968. In addition to the lead contractor - Kolomna KBM - many enterprises were involved in the work, including the Volgograd Production Association "Barricades", which designed the launcher, and the Bryansk Automobile Plant, which created the chassis for the launcher and the transport-loading vehicle (TZM). Serial production of missiles was launched at the Votkinsk Machine-Building Plant.
The complex, named 9K79 “Tochka” (according to the Western classification SS-21 “Scarab”), had a firing range from 15 to 70 km and a circular probable deviation (CPD) of only 160 m.
Already in 1971, during factory flight tests, the first two launches of the new 9M79 guided missiles were carried out. Their mass production began in 1973. But only three years later the Tochka was officially put into service.
The main tasks for the Republic of Kazakhstan were: the destruction of command posts of military branches (including highly fortified ones), military aviation bases, fuel and ammunition storage facilities, and various reconnaissance and strike complexes. The new divisional complex (intended for operations at the division-army link) was the first example of effective ground-based high-precision weapons in the Soviet Union.
The 9M79 single-stage solid-propellant missile had an integral high-explosive warhead loaded with 120 kg of explosive. This was more than enough to destroy most possible targets. In this case, the rocket could be controlled along the entire flight path.
The 9P129 launcher received an excellent all-terrain floating chassis - the three-axle BAZ-5921, and the TZM 9T218 - the BAZ-5922.
In April 1971, KBM began developing a modification of the Tochka-R with a passive radar homing head, but without changing the rest of the missile design. It was intended to destroy various radio-emitting targets. The radar homing system ensured target acquisition at a distance of at least 15 km. When pointing at a continuously emitting target, the CEP varied within 45 meters.
The new rocket was ready in 1983. Work to improve the complex continued, and in 1989 the modified RK 9K79-1 Tochka-U was put into service. The new complex’s firing range has increased to 120 km with a CEP of 170 m (in reality, less than 50 m). The Tochka-U complex ensures the operation and combat use of missiles of an earlier design, originally intended for the Tochka complex.
The 9M721 missile of the updated complex received a number of warheads to expand its combat capabilities. It was equipped with a 9N123F high-explosive warhead and a 9N123K cassette warhead containing a “filling” of 50 fragmentation submunitions. A complete guarantee of target destruction was provided by the AA-60 nuclear warhead.
The 9P129M-1 launcher, which is part of the Tochka-U complex, is mounted, like the Tochka launcher, on a BAZ-5921 wheeled chassis. Transport-loading vehicle 9T218-1 - on BAZ-5922. Both of them have a six-cylinder diesel engine 5D20B-300. To move through water, propeller-type water-jet propulsors are used, and control is carried out using built-in channels and water-jet valves.
The chassis has all six wheels - driven, tires have air pressure regulation. Ground clearance reaches 400 mm. All this allows you to move both on roads of all categories and over rough terrain.
When launching missiles, the autonomous equipment of the launcher allows you to tie the launch point and calculate the flight mission, followed by aiming and launch. Therefore, no special topographic and geodetic and meteorological measurements, as well as engineering preparation of starting positions are required. Thanks to this, a missile can be launched within 16–20 minutes after arriving at the position. Then, after just 1.5 minutes, the PU is able to curl up and leave the position. The start of the launcher's ascent and the launch of the rocket are separated by only 15 seconds.
The spent ammunition of the starting batteries is replenished with the help of transport-loading vehicles. The sealed compartment of the TZM stores two ready-to-launch missiles with their warheads docked. The presence of a jib crane and a hydraulic drive makes it possible to load the launcher within 19 minutes. This requires the presence of a site that allows placing TZM and launchers nearby. Also, missiles can be transported in metal containers and on 2T238 transport vehicles that can accommodate two missiles or four warheads.
The 9K79 high-precision tactical missile system includes: a self-propelled launcher with a missile, a transport-loading vehicle, an automated control and testing vehicle, a maintenance vehicle, a set of arsenal equipment, and training facilities. Combat work is carried out by a crew of three people.
“Tochka-U” for the first time demonstrated its unique capabilities to the world’s military specialists gathered at the international arms exhibition IDEX’93. Five missile launches were carried out to demonstrate the capabilities of the complex. In this case, the maximum deviation from the target was less than 50 m, and the minimum was several meters.
The Tochka missile system's baptism of fire took place in Afghanistan. Then the missiles were launched from the outskirts of Kabul. The Tochka-U complex was also actively used by Russian federal forces during the fighting in Chechnya.
The Tochka and Tochka-U missile systems are in service with the Russian army and the armies of some foreign countries. In 1983, the first Tochka tactical missile systems (six launchers and 18 9M79 missiles) arrived in Syria from the Soviet Union. Currently, the Syrian ground forces have 18 Tochka tactical missile launchers. In 1988, North Yemen (Yemen Arab Republic) also purchased the Tochka missile system from the USSR. Currently, the Yemeni ground forces have 10 launchers.
By 1988, about 140 RK Tochka launchers were deployed on the territory of the USSR alone. In addition, they were stationed on the territory of the GDR (as part of the Western Group of Forces). The complex was also in service with the socialist countries: Bulgaria, Poland and Czechoslovakia.
Among the CIS countries, until recently, the armies of Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Armenia, and Azerbaijan were armed with the Tochka. The Ukrainian Ground Forces had a missile division consisting of three brigades armed with Tochka and Tochka-U rocket launchers (about 90). The Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus include the 465th missile brigade, armed with Tochka and Tochka-U missile launchers (up to 36). In Kazakhstan, modernized Tochka complexes are in service - 45 units.
Characteristics of the head parts of the Tochka complex |
|
– a special nuclear warhead as part of the 9M79B (9M79-1B) missile, a nuclear charge of the AA-60 type, with a power of 10 to 100 kt |
|
– a special nuclear warhead as part of the 9M79B1 missile, a nuclear charge of the AA-86 type, with a power of up to 200 kt (according to other sources - 100) |
|
Special nuclear warhead as part of the 9M79B2 rocket |
– nuclear charge of type AA-92, with a power of up to 200 kt (according to other sources – 100 kt) |
9N123F |
– high-explosive fragmentation warhead of concentrated action, as part of 9M79F (9M79-1F) missiles. The mass of the warhead is 482 kg, the mass of the TG-20 explosive is 162.5 kg, the number of fragments is 14.5 thousand. The affected area is 2-3 hectares. When approaching the target, the missile makes an additional turn to ensure that the charge meets the target at an angle close to 90° for the most efficient use of the explosion energy of the warhead. The air blast of the warhead is carried out at a height of 20 meters above the surface to achieve the maximum affected area |
9N123K |
– cluster warhead consisting of 9M79K (9M79-1K) missiles, containing 50 9N24 fragmentation warheads (weighing 7.45 kg each, mass of A-IX-20 type explosives – 1.45 kg, 316 fragments). The mass of the warhead is 482 kg, the number of fragments is 15.8 thousand. The detonation of the central charge and the opening of the warhead is initiated by a 9E326 type radio sensor at an altitude of 2250 m. The affected area is 3.5-7 hectares. The warhead is designed to destroy manpower and unarmored vehicles located in open areas |
9N123F-R(9N123F-R2, 9N123F-R3) |
– high-explosive fragmentation warhead with a passive radar seeker 9N215 as part of anti-radar missiles 9M79R (9M79FR, 9M79-1FR), with RF type 9M79M or 9M79-1, in preparation for launch the target radiation frequency was set, the affected area was up to 2 hectares |
9N123G |
– a special chemical cassette warhead containing 65 subelements loaded with 930 g of the R-33 toxic substance, each (total 60.5 kg of agent) |
9N123G2-1 |
– a special chemical cassette warhead containing 65 subelements filled with the toxic agent R-55 “Soman” (total 50.5 kg of agent) |