9K33 Osa

SA-8
General Information
Type	Anti-aircraft missile
Manufacturer	NII-20 Research Institute
development	1959
Technical specifications
length	3.18 m
diameter	210 mm
Combat weight	130 kg
span	650 mm
drive	Solid - rocket engine
speed	600 m / s
Range	10 km
Furnishing
Target location	SACLOS via radio
Warhead	19 kg FRAG-HE
Detonator	Impact or radio proximity fuse
Weapon platforms	BAZ-5937 vehicle
Lists on the subject

The 9K33 Osa ( NATO code name : SA-8 Gecko ) is a Soviet / Russian anti-aircraft missile system that was developed in the 1960s and entered service in 1975. It is used to combat helicopters and fighter planes at low to medium altitude and is still used by many armies today. The GRAU index is 9K33 Osa ( Russian Оса - wasp ). The modern 9K330 door system is the successor .

development

The 9K33 Osa anti-aircraft missile system was developed in the early 1960s. The research institute NII-20 was in charge of the project. The basis of the development was a resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Soviet Union on October 27, 1960. The aim was to manufacture an anti-aircraft missile system that could act autonomously and combined all the important components of an air defense system such as search radar, fire control radar and missiles in one vehicle. The combination of these elements in a combat vehicle promised greater autonomy and better tactical agility. At the same time, the number of target channels per battery could be increased, which enabled the anti-aircraft missile battery to combat several air targets at the same time. Compared to the 2K12 Kub , which was developed almost at the same time, this meant a significant increase in the combat value. In favor of these advantages, the automated transmission of target data and the possibility of automated central management of the batteries were dispensed with. As a result, the range of reconnaissance was limited overall.

At the beginning of the development a comparatively light rocket with a mass of about 50 to 60 kg was assumed. In the end, the work on the project was limited to conceptual work and feasibility studies. The development in this phase was essentially inspired by the American project XMIM-46A Mauler . The original plan was to use a semi-active missile. The guided missile corresponded to a scaled-down version of the 3M9 rocket of the 2K12 system. Due to the smaller dimensions, however, problems arose in the construction of the homing head, in particular in terms of housing the antenna. Assumptions about advances in solid rocket engine development were overly optimistic. Ultimately, the originally selected chassis based on the MT-LB also turned out to be unsuitable.

In 1965, after a reorganization of the project and the replacement of the designers responsible for development, the requirements for the weapon system were redefined. The starting point was a rocket with a mass of around 110 kg. The tests from 1967 onwards showed a wide range of problems both with individual components and with the entire weapon system, which led to major design changes.

Factory testing of the weapon system began in 1970, and it was incorporated into the armament of the Soviet Army the following year. At the same time, the development of the improved 9K33AK variant began, which differed from the original variant in terms of a higher probability of destruction, a larger destruction zone and an increase in the number of guided missiles from four to six per launch vehicle. The rockets were now stored maintenance-free in transport and launch containers. The 9K33AK was tested in 1974, put into service in 1975 and shown to the public for the first time in the same year.

construction

Structure of the weapon system

P-40 of the East German NVA

Start and control station 9A33BM2, antenna of search radar folded down in marching position

The weapon system was normally used as a closed part of an anti-aircraft missile regiment. The regiment consists of five anti-aircraft missile batteries, a command battery, a technical battery and a repair battery.

The lead battery consists of:

• an automated guidance station PU-12M based on the SPW-60
• a panoramic station RBS-40 ( P-40 , Russian П-40 )
• a panoramic station RBS-19 ( P-19 , Russian П-19 )
• a panoramic station RBS-18 ( P-18 , Russian П-18 )
• a height finder PRW-16 (Russian ПРВ-16 )

As an alternative to the RBS-19 , a panoramic station RBS-15 ( P-15 ) can also be used.

An anti-aircraft missile battery of the weapon system includes:

• an automated guidance station PU-12M based on the SPW-60
• four start and control stations 9A33
• two transport and loading vehicles 9T217
• a testing and tuning base MTO 9W210 on truck ZIL-131
• a set of tools and spare parts, loaded onto the ZIL-131 truck
• 48 guided missile 9M33M

Basic interaction of the elements of the weapon system

In the guidance battery, a common air situation map is created in the automated guidance station . For this purpose, the signals from the various radar stations are brought together on a display device. The use of several radar stations operating in different frequency bands made it possible to cover a large area and resulted in greater protection against passive and active radar interference. If the different radar stations are used alternately, reconnaissance and combat by the enemy is also made more difficult. The target data are transmitted by radio or wired using a data link to the automated guidance points of the individual anti-aircraft missile batteries. There the air situation picture for the respective battery is displayed on a screen. Automated target assignment was not possible within the anti-aircraft missile battery. The destination data was transmitted from the automated guidance point to the start and control stations by radio. The distance as well as the side and elevation angles of the aerial target were transmitted.

The start and control stations have the option of independent airspace reconnaissance, but with a limited reconnaissance range compared to central guidance. However, there is the risk of unwanted multiple or non-combat against air targets. The long-term radiation of the radar device also increases the risk of detection by the enemy.

Steering method

Romanian “Osa” when a guided missile is launched.

Passive radio command steering is used as the steering method. The position of the air target and the position of the anti-aircraft missile are determined by two separate radar stations. The steering commands for the anti-aircraft missile are calculated by a computing device and transmitted to it via radio. With this method, the radar and computing devices are on the ground in the start and control stations ; the missile itself can consequently be built smaller and lighter in comparison to active and semi-active steering methods, which in the end allows higher load factors in the construction and enables the combat of highly maneuvering air targets. Since the antennas of the radar devices are not subject to the size restrictions of the rocket, the selection of air targets based on the Doppler speed used in the 2K12 can be dispensed with. This facilitates the fight against slow-flying air targets and helicopters in the hovering position.

Three-point steering is used as the steering method. The air target, anti-aircraft missile and launch and control stations are constantly kept on an imaginary line. If the guided missile deviates from this line, an error signal is generated and the corresponding steering commands are calculated. The advantage of using this method is that the distance to the target is not required for calculating the steering commands; the disadvantage is the highly curved trajectory of the rocket with correspondingly high g-forces when fighting fast-flying targets.

PU-12

The PU-12M automated guide station essentially consists of

• from the basic vehicle SPW-60PU
• the device for automated guidance ASPD or ASPD-U
• the power supply system with a vehicle-driven generator and an electrical unit
• five radios
• the navigation system KP-4

With the device for automated guidance ASPD , air situation information is automatically transmitted, received, saved and displayed on a PPI scope . The coded transmission of target assignments as well as commands and messages also takes place. With the based on the inertial navigation working navigation system KP-4 one's position is determined. The error is a maximum of 1% of the distance traveled. If the target assignment is carried out on the basis of the values ​​of the navigation system, the maximum error of the lateral angle is 5 °, that of the distance 3000 m.

Start and control stations 9A33

OSA-AKM, rear view. On the right the outlet flap of the gas turbine, underneath on both sides outlet openings for the water jet drive

Structure of antenna system 9K33, view from the front, without scale. 1: reflector search radar, 2: dipole identification device, 3: horn search radar, 4: radio measuring device rocket, 5: radio measuring device target, 6: transmitter radio command steering

The start and control stations 9A33 are used to clear up the airspace, to record and accompany the target, to record and accompany the anti-aircraft missile, to calculate the steering commands and to transmit them.

The station consists of

• the base vehicle BAZ-5937
• of the power supply system 9I210
• the reconnaissance station with identification device
• the radio meter target
• the two missile radio meters
• the two radio command transmitters
• the computer 9S456M3
• the antenna and starter equipment with the 9P35M1 starter system
• the nuclear weapon protection system
• of the TNA-3 surveying facility

The crew consisted of a total of four soldiers.

The reconnaissance station serves to clear up the airspace, target acquisition and accompaniment, identification query ( friend-foe recognition ) and target assignment to the target radio measuring device . The radar of the reconnaissance station works in the H-band . The antenna of the reconnaissance station can be rotated through 360 °, the speed is 33 / min. The maximum radar range is 40 km, a sector of 360 ° side angle and an elevation angle of 30 ° can be detected. With a pulse repetition rate of 2.8 kHz, pulses 0.45 microseconds long are emitted. The pulse power is 270 kW. The sensitivity of the receiver is 10 ⁻¹³  W.

The friend-foe recognition system is part of the Kremnij 2 complex . The operating principle is based on sending and receiving a coded pulse train. A total of twelve manually changeable code filters are available. The antenna of the reconnaissance station is used, the feed takes place via a dipole to the left of the feed of the reconnaissance station . From the end of the 1980s, the conversion to the more modern Parol identification device began ; in the NVA, however, the conversion no longer took place.

The radar target or missile work in the J-band with a range of 20 km to 25 km. Two transmission channels operating on different frequencies are available for missile control.

9M33 missile

Structure of the 9M33 rocket, sketch. 1: transmitter radio measuring fuse, 2: control surfaces, 3: power supply, 4: compressed air tank (power supply), 5: receiver radio measuring fuse, 6: receiver for radio command steering, 7: autopilot, 8: warhead, 9: solid propulsion, 10: thruster, 11: Control surfaces

The rocket is a single-stage solid fuel rocket. A range of 10 km for the SA-8a and 12 km for the SA-8b is achieved. The launch weight of the rocket is 130 kg. A 19 kg highly explosive fragmentation warhead is used as the warhead. The maximum operating altitude of the guided weapon is 5000 m. The minimum control height is 25 m.

Transport and loading vehicle 9T217

The 9T217 transport and loading vehicle is used to transport twelve prepared anti-aircraft missiles and load the launch and control stations . The anti-aircraft missiles are in containers. The carrier vehicle is a BAZ-5939 , which is constructed analogously to the BAZ-5937 and has identical performance data. The rockets are loaded and unloaded with the help of an on-board crane and a special traverse. With the traverse three containers can be handled at the same time. The time for loading a start and control station is six minutes. The transport and loading vehicle carries diesel fuel in a separate tank that can be delivered to the starting and control stations .

Versions

OSA-AKM, the antenna of the search radar differs from the OSA-AK version

9K33 Osa

9K33 Osa, note the missiles compared to subsequent models

The first series version was introduced in 1971/1972. It can be distinguished from the successor versions by the four missiles that are not in containers. The rocket was designed for a load multiple of 5 g . The NATO code name is SA-8A Gecko .

4K33 Osa-M

Version of the naval forces with 9M33M guided missiles. Introduced in 1972. Use from Zif-122 double launcher with a magazine for 40 guided weapons. Maximum combat distance 10 km. The NATO designation is SA-N-4 Gecko

9K33M2 Osa-AK

The second production version was introduced in 1975. The now six rockets per launch and control station are now in containers. The improvements to the radar stations and the computer increased the probability of destruction. The permissible load factor of the rocket is 8 g , which allows the fight against faster and deeper flying targets. The NATO code name is SA-8B Gecko mod 0 .

9K33M3 Osa-AKM

The 9K33M3 variant, introduced in 1980, was specially developed for combating attack helicopters. The radar has been revised, as have the algorithms for steering the anti-aircraft missiles. The missile itself received a revised warhead with increased effectiveness. The NATO code name is SA-8B Gecko mod 1 .

Osa-AKM1

This is a variant of the OSA-AKM that has been modernized by the company Kupol , with improved sensors and computer operator stations. It can also be used to fight cruise missiles and drones. The OSA-AKM1 only needs 3 crew members while the OSA-AKM only needs 4.

T38 stiletto

This is a variant of the OSA-AKM modernized by the Belarusian company Tetraedr on a chassis of the type MZKT-6922 with improved sensors and computer operator stations. In addition, fundamentally revised T382 missiles are used.

Saman and Saman-M

Saman-M target drone

Loading of a start and control station 9A33BM2 (rear) by the transport loading vehicle 9T217 (front)

The versions Saman and Saman-M (Russian Саман - brick ) are used to launch target display drones for training air defense units.

Technical specifications

The hit probability is given for the Osa system with 35 to 85% and for Osa-AK and Osa-AKM system with 55 to 85%. The vehicle can attack a target with two missiles at the same time.

		OSA	OSA-AK	OSA-AKM
Extermination zone, [km]	distance	2-9	1.5-10
	height	4-6	until 6
Destruction probability	plane	35-85%	50-85%
	helicopter	30-40%	up to 45%	60-85%
	Cruise missiles	up to 40%		up to 60%
	UAV	70%	80%
maximum speed of the air target, [m / s]		420	500
Response time, [s]		26-34
Weight of the rocket, [kg]		128
Weight warhead, [kg]		15th	12	15th
Time for transition from marching to combat situation, [min]		3-5
Number of guided missiles per launch pad		4th	6th
Weight of the start and control station, [kg]		approx. 19,000
Cruising speed, [km / h]		Max. 80
Year of introduction (Soviet Army)		1972	1975	1980

commitment

SA-8 Gecko was used at the division level in the Soviet Motorized Rifle Divisions. The system can operate independently, no additional surveillance vehicles are required.
In the Libyan Civil War in 2011, SA-8 systems were deployed on the side of the Libyan army, some of which were destroyed by NATO bombers. It is not known whether the SA-8 deployed attacked enemy aircraft.

User states

Current users

•  Armenia - As of January 2018, there are an unknown number of 9K33 on duty.
•  Azerbaijan - As of January 2018, there are an unknown number of 9K33 on duty.
•  Algeria - As of January 2018, there are approximately 48 9K33M in service.
•  Angola - As of January 2018, there are 15 9K33 on duty.
•  Bulgaria - As of January 2018, there are 24 9K33 in service.
•  Ecuador - As of January 2018, there are 6 9K33 on duty.
•  Greece - As of January 2018, there are 38 9K33Ms in service, which were formerly in the service of the NVA and were sold to Greece after the reunification of Germany .
•  Georgia - As of January 2018, there are 8 9K33M2 ("Osa-AK") and 6-10 9K33M3 ("Osa-AKM") in service.

•  India - As of January 2018, there are 50 9K33 in service.
•  Jordan - As of January 2018, there are 48 9K33M in service.
•  Cuba - As of January 2018, an unknown number of 9K33 are on duty.
•  Poland - As of January 2018, there are 64 9K33M2 ("Osa-AK") in service.
•  Russia
  Army - As of the end of December 2018, a maximum of 384 9К33М3 are in service.
  Marines - As of January 2018, there are 20 9K33 in service.
•  Sudan - As of January 2018, there are at least 4 9K33 on duty.
•  Syria - As of January 2018, an unknown number of 9K33 are on duty.
•  Turkmenistan - As of January 2018, there are 40 9K33 in service.
•  Ukraine - As of January 2018, an unknown number of 9K33 are in service.
•  Belarus - As of January 2018, an unknown number of 9K33 are on duty.

Former user

•  Libya - Decommissioned by January 2018.

See also

• List of surface-to-air missiles

literature

• Ian Hogg : 20th Century Artillery. Gondrom Verlag, Bindlach 2001, ISBN 3-8112-1878-6 .
• The SA-8 GECKO surface-to-air guided missile system. DTIG - Defense Threat Informations Group, July 2003.
• Land-Based Air Defense. Edition 2005, Jane's Verlag.
• RUSSIA'S ARMS 2004 CATALOG. Military Parade Publishing House.
• RUSSIA'S ARMS AND TECHNOLOGIES. THE XXI CENTURY ENCYCLOPEDIA Volume 9 - Air and ballistic missile defense. The Publishing House - Arms and Technologies.

Web links

Commons : SA-8 Gecko / 9K33 Osa  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

• www.globalsecurity.org
• www.new-factoria.ru
• www.rta-4.de - Seizure with 9M33 rockets in the People's Navy of the GDR

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Air Power Australia, Air Research: Self Propelled Air Defense System / SA-8 Gecko
2. ↑ Spadeadam's Equipment: SA8 on /www.raf.mod.uk (English)
3. ^ NVA: five; The structure and quantity structures may differ for other countries and periods
4. ↑ Information for NVA, structure and stocks may differ in other armies
5. ↑ Air Power Australia, Air Research, Self Propelled Air Defense System / SA-8 Gecko
6. ↑ Information for NVA, structure and stocks may differ in other armies
7. ^ Rosoboronexport : Air Defense Systems Export Catalog 2003. p. 24.
8. ↑ Air Power Australia, Air Research: Self Propelled Air Defense System: 9K33 Technical Data / SA-8 Gecko
9. ↑ other user states later or not at all
10. ↑ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s} The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS): The Military Balance 2018 . 1st edition. Routledge, London 2018, ISBN 978-1-85743-955-7 (English, January 2018).
11. ↑ "Figmo42": Surface To Air Missile: SA-8 (9K33). In: Falcon Lounge. falcon-lounge.com, October 31, 2017, accessed September 4, 2019 . 
12. ^ The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS): The Military Balance 2018 . 1st edition. Routledge, London 2018, ISBN 978-1-85743-955-7 , pp. 194 (English, January 2018, 400 9K33M3).
13. ↑ Николай Сурков, Алексей Рамм: Пехота и танки получат новый зенитный купол. ИЗВЕСТИЯ - IZ.ru, December 22, 2017, accessed on January 4, 2019 (Russian, including from 2018 the 9K33 will be replaced by the Buk-M2 and Buk-M3. A total of 4 departments (дивизия), corresponds to 16 launch vehicles, Buk-M3 put into service. Based on this, the same number of 9K33M3 were replaced.).