Anti-aircraft missile system 9K331 Tor-M1

The 9K331 complex includes:

• The 9A331 combat vehicle and the 9M334 anti-aircraft missile module (with 9M331 missiles in the 9Y281 transport and launch container);
• 9T244 transport and charging machine;
• transport vehicle 9T245;
• 9B887M and 9B888-1M maintenance vehicles
• set of rigging equipment 9F116;
• group ZIP machine 9F399-1M1;
• autonomous electronic simulator for 9F678 combat meddling operators.

On the basis of the 9A331 fighting vehicle (see layout) are placed:

• Two 9M334 anti-aircraft missile modules (eight 9M331 missiles in TPK 9Y281);
• three-axis target detection station (TDS) with systems of identification of their nationality and stabilization of the antenna base;
• pointing station (SN) with phased antenna array;
• a duplicate television and optical vizier providing auto-steering of the target at angular coordinates;
• a high-speed digital computer system;
• Launching machine equipment (equipment for displaying information about the air situation and the combat cycle, as well as for indicating the functioning of combat vehicle systems and facilities, commander and operator work stations and auxiliary equipment);
• a system of telecode operational-command radio communications;
• navigation, topographic and orientation equipment;
• system of functional control of the combat vehicle:
• Autonomous power supply and life support system (primary power supply source with electric generator drive from gas turbine engine or self-propelled chassis running engine).

The following changes were made to the 9A331 combat vehicle (compared to 9A330):

• a new dual-processor computer system of increased performance was used, which implemented two-channel work on targets, protection against false traces of targets, enhanced functional control;
• in the target detection station introduced a three-channel digital signal processing system, which provided improved suppression of passive interference without additional interference analysis, automatically switchable selective filter in the receiver's input devices, which provided through the frequency selection of each unit more effective electromagnetic compatibility and interference immunity of the station, in the receiver's input devices was replaced by an amplifier to increase sensitivity, introduced automatic adjustment of mo
• a new type of sounding signal was introduced in the guidance station, which provided detection and auto tracking of a hovering helicopter, an automatic target tracking machine was introduced in the television and optical viewer at the corner of the location (to improve the accuracy of its tracking), an improved commander indicator was introduced, and interface equipment with a unified battery command post "Rangir" was introduced. (radio stations and data transmission equipment).

The detection radar is a coherent-pulse circular view radar. It operates in a centimeter range of waves with frequency-controlled beam angles. The average power of the transmitter is 1.5 kW, the resolution is not worse than 1.5-2.0° azimuth, 4° angle and 200m range. Maximum target coordinate errors are not more than half of the resolution values specified. The use of digital signal processing allows reliable detection of both high-speed and low-movement (up to 10 m/s) targets without "blind speeds" in difficult conditions of passive (natural and artificial) interference, taking into account the influence of the underlying surface. Signal processing is carried out by special calculators and a central computer, the computational and algorithmic capabilities of which allow to solve the tasks of air situation analysis, making basic decisions and other intellectual tasks of combat operations control. The detection radar is linked to the target identification system and automatically blocks (with a high probability) the possibility of "own" aircraft being hit. To ensure the possibility of station operation during the movement of the FM, the antenna position is stabilized.

The station is capable of detecting F-15 type aircraft flying at altitudes from 30 to 6000m with a probability of not less than 0.8 at a range of 25-27km. Unmanned aircraft are detected with a probability of not less than 0.7 at a range of 9-15km, helicopters hovering in the air - with a probability of 0.6-0.8 at a range of 13-20km, helicopters on the ground with rotating propellers - with a probability of 0.4-0.7 at a range of 13-20km. Targets covered by active and passive interference may also be detected. The detection radar provides a multipartial (8 pairs - beams) three-axis view of the space with high speed (see scanning range). The scanning period is 1s, the beam width in the vertical plane is 4°. Angular space scan in the vertical plane is mechanically divided into two ranges from 0-32° and 32-64°. This means that two "Top-M1" SAM batteries can simultaneously view the area in the 0-64° angle scan. The signal energy can be increased by using a long pulse with intra-pulse modulation and the mode of concentration of all the radiation energy in one particle - three in one.

Guidance radar (SVR) - coherent-pulse (pulse-doppler type) radar. It operates in the centimeter wavelength range, has a low-element framed antenna array (FAR), forming a beam width of 1 ° on the azimuth and the angle of the place, providing electronic scanning of the beam in the appropriate planes. This construction of the system allows for almost instant (400-600ms) transition to auto tracking, as well as simultaneous tracking and firing of two targets in the sector PHAR. The station searches for a target based on target designation data from the target detection station and captures one target for auto-leaders. With a probability of 0.5, the guidance station is capable of switching to a fighter aircraft auto-guard, flying at a range of 23 km. With decreasing range this probability increases significantly, so, at a range of 20 km it is already 0.8. The tracking radar signal processing system - digital monopulse with pulse compression and corresponding signal processing algorithm, provides not only high accuracy and interference protection, but also recognition of target class, which allows to optimize the operating modes of the guidance system and its combat equipment.

For the first time in the practice of creating anti-aircraft complexes, a four-seat transport and launch container (TLC) 9Y281 was used for the air defense systems of Tor-M1, which together with the 9M331 missile module 9M334. Each 9M334 module is equipped with two special beams, with which the modules can be assembled into multi-tier packages. Such packages store and transport missiles at all stages of operation. Transport vehicle 9T245 transports two packages of four modules, transport and charging machine 9T244 - two packages of two modules and has a crane equipment to load the module in the combat vehicle. The BM is charged by the transport and charging vehicle. First, the module is moved from a horizontal to a vertical position, then it is lowered into the PM shaft. The time of charging the combat vehicle with two modules is 25 minutes. The 9M334 module is operated during the set service life without any routine works and inspections of onboard equipment of missiles. Main parameters of the module: mass of the module (TPK plus four missiles) with two beams - 1053kg, mass of TPK with two beams - 333kg, mass of one beam - 40kg, dimensions of the module with two beams - 539x1507x3005mm.

SAM 9M331 is fully unified with missile 9M330 (except for the material of striking elements of BC) and can be used in "Tor", "Top-M1", "Tor-M2" and ship's SAM "Dagger".

The combat operation of 9K331 SAM system is based on the scheme usual for anti-aircraft missile systems with radio command guidance system (see description of combat operations). The station of detection in motion or on the spot provides a circular view of the space, detects and identifies targets. The combat vehicle's computer facilities analyse the air target, select the most dangerous targets to be fired on and produce target designation data for the guidance station (command transfer station, PIC). The guidance station (missile sighting station plus command transfer station) produces target designation data based on the target designation data:

• searching for and capturing one target for a car escort;
• precise tracking of the target at three coordinates;
• launching one or two missiles in sequence (4s) on the escorted target;
• capture of the missile after launch by a separate coordinator and inject it into the beam of the phased array antenna;
• precise tracking of the missile;
• control of the missiles by commands generated by the difference in coordinate between the missiles and the target according to the chosen guidance method corresponding to the most optimal conditions for the missile to meet the target, depending on its type, altitude and nature of flight;
• issuing a delay command to the missile's fuze, depending on the speed at which the missile approaches the target.

Operation of the complex is permitted at altitudes not exceeding 3000 m above sea level, at any time of year and day, in various meteorological conditions in the range of ambient air temperatures from -50°C to +50°C, in conditions of solar radiation and relative humidity not exceeding 98% at temperature (30 ± 5)°С and wind speed not exceeding 20 m/sec. The mode of operation of the missile's equipment at war machine switching on is cyclic: 10 minutes of operation - 10 minutes break. After three engagements there should be a break of at least one hour. At any time of the break it is allowed to switch on the rocket equipment once for one minute to conduct the launch.