9K720 Iskander operational-tactical missile system

The complex consists of:

• missile 9M723;
• 9P78 self-propelled launcher (SPS);
• transport and charging machine 9T250 (TZM);
• command and staff vehicle 9C552 (KShM);
• mobile information preparation station 9C920 (PPI);
• Regulation and Maintenance Machine (MRTO);
• life support machine;
• sets of arsenal and training equipment.

The 9M723 is a solid fuel, single-stage missile with a head part not separated in flight. The missile is controlled on the entire flight path by means of aerodynamic and gas-dynamic rudders. The flight path of 9M723 is not ballistic but controllable. The missile constantly changes the plane of the trajectory. It is particularly active in maneuvering at its acceleration and approach to the target - with an overload of 20 to 30g. In order to intercept the 9M723 missile, the missile must move along a trajectory with an overload two to three times higher, which is almost impossible. Most of the missile's trajectory, manufactured using Stealth technology and having a small reflective surface, passes at an altitude of 50 km, which also significantly reduces the probability of its defeat by the enemy. The 'invisibility' effect is achieved by combining the missile's design features with special coatings.

The missile is brought directly to its target by an inertial control system and then captured by an autonomous correlation-extreme homing optical head (see photo). The principle of operation of the homing system OTR 9M723 is that the optical equipment generates an image of the terrain in the target area, which is compared by the on-board computer with the standard introduced during the preparation of the missile for launch. The optical head is highly resistant to existing means of electronic warfare and allows successful missile launches even on moonless nights when there is no additional natural illumination of the target, hitting the target with an accuracy of plus or minus two meters. No other tactical system in the world can accomplish such a task except Iskander. In addition, optical systems do not need signals from space radio navigation systems, which can be switched off or disabled by radio interference in crisis cases. Combining inertial control with satellite navigation equipment and optical CNS makes it possible to create a missile that hits a given target in almost every conceivable condition. The homing head can also be used on ballistic and cruise missiles of various classes and types.

The missile can be equipped with various combat units (10 types in total), including:

• a cluster warhead with shrapnel-type non-contact detonation warheads;
• a cluster munition with cumulative shrapnel warheads;
• a cluster munition with self-manufacturing warheads; a cluster munition with self-manufacturing warheads;
• a cluster munition with a volume detonation capability;
• shrapnel-flagged warhead (SRFF);
• high-explosive high-explosive warhead;
• penetrating combat unit (IBU).

A cassette warfare unit shall provide opening at an altitude of 0.9-1.4km with further separation and stabilization of combat elements. The combat elements are equipped with radio sensors and the detonation of combat elements is performed at an altitude of 6-10 m above the target.

Due to the implementation of terminal control and guidance methods, control over the entire flight path, a wide range of powerful combat units, and ensuring that the airborne DS is combined with various correction and homing systems, as well as a high probability of performing a combat mission in conditions of active counteraction by the enemy, standard targets are hit by the launch of only 1-2 Iskander-E missiles, which is equivalent in effectiveness to the use of nuclear warheads.

Fully self-contained LTP is located on an 8x8 wheeled chassis of cross-country ability (MZKT-7930) and is designed to store and transport missiles, prepare for launch and launch within the firing sector ± 90 ° with respect to the direction of arrival of LTP. LSU provides: automatic determination of its coordinates, data exchange with all control elements, combat duty and preparation for launch with the missile in a horizontal position, single and multiple launch of missiles, storage and verification of missiles. The most important feature of the launcher was the placement of two missiles on it, rather than one (as in Tochka and Oka). Location time of the launcher on the starting position is minimal and is up to 20 minutes, with the interval between the launches of the 1st and 2nd missiles no longer than one minute. The missiles do not require specially prepared engineering and topogetic launch positions, which may lead to their disclosure by the enemy. Launches can be carried out from the so-called "march readiness", i.e. the launcher enters any site (except marshy terrain and loose sand) and its calculation in an automated cycle, without leaving the cockpit carries out the preparation and launch of the missile. The launcher then moves to the reload point and, after loading the missiles, is ready to deliver a second missile strike from any starting position.

TZM is also placed on MZKT-7930 chassis and equipped with a boom crane. Gross combat weight - 40000 kg, TZM calculation - 2 persons.

The automated control system is based on the KAMAZ chassis, which is unified for all levels of command and staff vehicle control. Adjustment to a certain control level (brigade, division, starting battery) is carried out programmatically during operation. To ensure information exchange, combat control and communication equipment is placed in the launch vehicle. Information exchange can be carried out both via open and closed communication channels.

"Iskander-E is integrated with various intelligence and control systems. Information about the object of destruction is transmitted from a satellite, a reconnaissance aircraft or an unmanned aerial vehicle (of the Flight-D type) to an information preparation centre. It calculates the flight mission for the missile and prepares the reference information for the missiles with OGSN, then on the radio channels this information is transmitted to the command and staff vehicles (KSM) of division commanders and batteries, and from there - to the launchers. The missile launch teams can be formed either at the KShM or by the senior artillery command posts.

The machine of regulation and maintenance (MRTO) is placed on the chassis of "Kamaz" family and is intended for routine inspection of onboard equipment of rockets, placed on TZM (as well as in containers), inspection of devices, included in group sets of ZIP elements of the complex and current repair of rockets by MRTO calculation forces. The weight of the machine - 13500kg, time of deployment - 20min., time of the automated cycle of routine inspection of onboard equipment of the rocket - 18min., calculation - 2 people.

Life support vehicle is designed to accommodate combat calculations (up to 8 people) for rest and meals.