2K1 Mars
2K1 Mars is the name of one of the first tactical missile complexes developed in what was then the Soviet Union . The weapon system was developed from 1948 to 1958. The system was adopted into the armament of the Soviet Army in 1958. A total of 25 launch vehicles were produced from 1959 to 1960. By 1970 the missile complex was removed from the armament of the Soviet Army.
Designations
The Soviet operational principles differentiated between strategic, operational and tactical missiles for surface-to- surface missiles. Missile systems of strategic importance were summarized in the strategic missile forces. Troops equipped with operational-tactical missile complexes with ranges of several hundred kilometers were assigned to the armies or army corps (military districts in peacetime). Tactical missile complexes were assigned to the motorized rifle and tank divisions. They were used to combat targets in the division's area of responsibility and had a range of up to 120 km. According to its purpose and tactical-technical data, the 2K1 system is called a tactical missile complex (тактический ракетный комплекс). In Western parlance, the term battlefield short-range missile or Battlefield Short Range Ballistic Missile (BSRBM) is used for such weapon systems .
The GRAY index of the weapon system is 2K1 , Mars is the common name. The Air Standardization Coordinating Committee (ASCC) awarded the both the system and the missile named Frog-2 .
development
By the late 1940s, both the United States and the Soviet Union had nuclear weapons. These weapons were relatively large and heavy, so that only strategic bombers were available to carry these weapons. However, these were not suitable for combating tactical targets on the battlefield. However, technological advances led to the expectation of the construction of nuclear warheads weighing only a few hundred kilograms. This made the use of tactical nuclear weapons possible. In the USA, the 280 mm howitzer T-131 was put into service in 1952 . The gun was suitable for firing grenades with nuclear warheads. The following year began the commissioning of the MGR-1 Honest John battlefield missile , which could fire unguided solid rocket rockets with nuclear warheads. In the Soviet Union, preliminary work was to develop nuclear capable tactical missiles from 1948 to 1951 on the Scientific Research Institute no. 1 (НИИ-1) (since 1967 Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology made) under the leadership of N. P. Mazurov, but only with the commissioning of the Honest John was the Work pushed forward more vigorously.
The nuclear warheads available in the USSR at that time had a diameter of approximately 800 mm. These warheads were too big and too heavy to be fired with conventional guns . Only rockets could therefore be used as carriers. Overall, the weapon system had to have a high level of tactical mobility and the missile had to be ready for use within a few minutes, which is why only solid rockets were considered. The inertial navigation systems available at the time had an accuracy of 500 to 1000 m at distances of around 30 km - this was the assumed operational range. However, this value could also be achieved more easily with unguided missiles. A radio remote control appeared problematic as it would have made the system susceptible to interference. The Shanicle (Short Range Navigation Vehicle) control system used in the MGM-1 Matador was much more accurate, but required a number of ground-based microwave transmitters that generated a radio network for displaying distance and azimuth, on the basis of which the Matador navigated. However, this radio network could not be set up over opposing territory, so that inertial navigation had to be used again. With a battlefield missile where most of the trajectory was over enemy territory, this system was not useful.
In 1953, the Artillery Headquarters (Главное артиллерийское управление МО, ГАУ) issued the task of developing a tactical missile with a range of 50 km. The development of the tactical missile complexes 2K1 Mars , 2K4 Filin and 2K6 Luna began almost simultaneously and was continued in parallel. Various design offices were involved in the development of the 2K1 Mars weapon system . The rocket's propellant was developed at the Scientific Research Institute No. 125 (NIИ-125) in Lyubertsy . (The design office operates today as Федеральный Центр Двойных Технологий Союз .) The development of the warhead began in 1955 in the design office KB-11 (КБ-11), today Federal Research Institute of Experimental Physics (Всероссийский научно-исследовательский институт экспериментальной физики) in Sarov . While the nuclear components of the warhead were developed in KB-11, the design office KB-25 (КБ-25) took over the development of the remaining components. The development work was completed in 1957.
1956 began the development work on the launch vehicles. The special design office SKB-3 (СКБ-3) of the Central Scientific Research Institute ZNII-58 (ЦНИИ-58) under the direction of Vasily Gavrilowitsch Grabin was in charge . Several launch ramps have been developed for the weapon system. The launch pad S-121 (С-121) was used from March 1957 to July 1958 in Kapustin Jar to test the rocket. The first variant S-122 (С-122) developed for use by the troops consisted of several vehicles. The launch pad S-119 (С-119) was able to transport a rocket engine. Three engines could be carried on the loading vehicle S-120 (С-120). Four warheads were carried in the loading vehicle S-121 (С-121). After mounting the warhead on the engine, the launch pad S-119 was able to independently cover a short distance with the combat-ready rocket up to the firing position. Two variants of the launch rail were developed for the launch pad. One version had a straight launch rail, the second one inclined by 4 °, which set the rocket in the rotation necessary for stabilization. A chassis based on the PT-76 was used for all vehicles . The S-122 was rejected by the Artillery Headquarters. The revised variant S-122A (С-122A) got by with two vehicles: the launch pad S-199A (С-119A, GRAU index 2P2 (2П2)) and the transport and loading vehicle S-120A (С-120A, GRAU- Index 2P3 (2П3)). The rockets could now be transported by both vehicles in the ready-to-launch condition, i.e. with the warhead mounted. The transport and loading vehicle now also had a crane, which made it easier to take over the missiles. The experimental samples of the 2P2 and 2P3 were produced by the ZNII-58. During testing, however, it turned out that the specified total weight of the launch pad had been exceeded, and numerous other defects were also revealed. The vehicles were therefore returned to the ZNII-58 for revision.
Another version based on the ZIL-135 was developed in the design office of the Barrikady plant (Баррикады) in Stalingrad . The system consisted of the launch pad Br-217 (Бр-217) and the transport-loading vehicle Br-218 (Бр-218). The project planning phase was completed in September 1958. However, on instructions from the Ministry of Defense, the development was canceled. The reason was the planned takeover in the troop service in 1960/61, which should not be delayed by the development.
In April 1957, a total of 30 rockets were fired during testing in Kapustin Yar. The rockets and launch vehicles were tested between June and August of this year. The weapon system was added to the armament of the Soviet Army on March 20, 1958. The final testing of the rockets took place again in Kapustin Yar in June and July 1958. Between September and December of this year, the first test samples were produced at the Barrikady plant, followed by plant trials . Between January 30 and February 28, 1959, the 2K1 Mars and 2K6 Luna weapon systems were tested at the shooting range in Aginskoje at low temperatures. Between 1959 and 1960, the Barricades factory produced a total of 25 launch ramps and 25 transport and loading vehicles.
construction
Structure of the weapon system
The weapon system consists of:
- 3R1 Sowa missile (3Р1 Сова )
- the start ramp 2P2 (2П2), factory index C-119A (С-119?)
- the transport and loading vehicle 2P3 (2П3), factory index S-120A (С-120?)
The weapon system also includes:
- the mobile technical base PRTB-1 Step (ПТРБ Степь )
- various pieces of equipment and exercise equipment
3R1 rocket
The 3R1 Sowa rocket is a single-stage, unguided, spin-stabilized solid rocket . The missile consists of the engine and the warhead. The warhead is in the front part of the rocket, with the engine behind it. At the rear of the rocket there are four stabilizing surfaces arranged in a cross shape.
The engine has two combustion chambers . The twelve nozzles of the front combustion chamber are inclined to the longitudinal axis of the rocket in order to keep the exhaust gas jet away from the fuselage of the rocket. The nozzles also have a slight incline in relation to the course level. This causes the rocket to rotate around its longitudinal axis, which stabilizes the flight. Both chambers are ignited at the same time when the rocket is launched. NMF-2 (НМФ-2) is used as fuel. At an outside temperature of −40 ° C, the thrust is 13,600 kg, at +16 ° C 17,300 kg and at +40 ° C 17,400 kg. The engine only works for the first 2,000 meters of the flight route. The maximum speed reached is 531 m / s, at the target the speed of the missile is still 350 m / s. The rocket has a minimum range of 8,000-10,000 m, the maximum range is 17,500 m. At the minimum range the hit accuracy is 770 m, at the maximum range at 200 m.
The missile is unguided. Their range can only be changed by inclining the launch rail of the launch ramp. At an inclination of 24 °, the rocket's minimum range is reached. The course angle is roughly determined before the start with the direction of the start ramp and specified by swiveling the start rail.
The missile's warhead has a diameter of 600 mm and is therefore significantly larger than the diameter of the engine. During transport and on the launch ramp, the warhead is covered with an electrically operated heating blanket in order to reach or maintain the temperature necessary for the maximum effect of the warhead. Conventional warheads were not available.
| 3R1 | |
|---|---|
| length | 9010-9043 mm |
| diameter | 324 mm |
| span | 969-976 mm |
| Weight | 1756-1760 kg |
| Warhead | |
| Type warhead | nuclear |
| Diameter GK | 600 mm |
| Weight GK | 565 kg |
Start ramp 2P2
The launch vehicle was developed from the buoyant PT-76 tank . The running gear, power transmission and engine were carried over practically unchanged.
The basic construction of the drive was retained. The drive has five castors on each side. The drive wheel is at the rear, the idler wheel, which also serves to tension the chain, is at the front.
The six-cylinder diesel engine W-6 ( Russian В-6 ) has an output of 235 hp. It is installed lengthways in the stern. The gearbox is driven via the main clutch and a short cardan shaft. The drive wheels at the rear are driven via the steering clutches flanged on the side with brakes, the transfer case and the side gears. The vehicle is steered by means of steering levers that disengage or engage the steering clutches. The steering clutch is a multi-disc dry clutch without clutch linings, the main clutch is a two-disc dry clutch with linings. The brakes are designed as composite band brakes.
The shape of the tub remained unchanged compared to the 2P2 and the PT-76. The seats for the crew are in the bow of the vehicle, access is via two hatches on the tub. The driver sits in the middle of the imaginary longitudinal axis of the vehicle. With the hatch closed, he can observe the terrain in front of him using corner mirrors . The horizontally and vertically pivotable starting rail is placed on the rear part of the tub. The leveling machine is on the right, the side straightening machine to the left of the start rail. The starting rail is raised or lowered hydraulically. It supports the rocket's engine and the warhead. The missile is held on the launch rail by two long semicircular brackets. On the left of the tub sits the electrical unit, on the right the cable drum for connecting the starter desk.
When the rocket is launched, the launch pad is supported by the crawler tracks and two support plates at the rear. The backing pads are raised and lowered mechanically. The suspension of the launch ramp is blocked during take-off. The rocket can be launched from the combat area or from a remote position using the portable launch console.
In order to reach or maintain the temperature necessary for the optimal efficiency of the nuclear warhead, the warhead can be electrically heated with an electric blanket. The necessary energy is provided by the electrical unit and a direct current generator. The heating of the warhead is controlled or controlled by means of the heating console.
The TWN-2B night vision device is available to the driver to guide the vehicle at night. The communication equipment includes the R-113 armored radio and the R-120 intercom. The radio works in the range from 20 to 22.375 MHz with a transmission power of 16 watts. This enables a range of 20 km to be achieved.
The 2P2 launch pad corresponded to the state of technology in the mid-1950s. Disadvantages were the low speed in the field and on the road and the high wear and tear on the crawler tracks, which restricted mobility and ease of laying.
| 2P2 | |
|---|---|
| length | 9,400 mm |
| width | 3,180 mm |
| height | 3,050 mm |
| Ground clearance | 400 mm |
| Weight without rocket | 16,441 kg |
| Elevation range | + 15 ° to + 60 ° |
| Side straightening area | ± 5 ° |
| Range | 250 km (road) |
| speed | 20 km / h loaded / 30 to 40 km / h unloaded |
| crew | 3 |
Transport and loading vehicle 2P3
The 2P3 transport and loading vehicle was also developed from the floating PT-76 tank. Running gear, power transmission and engine were identical to the 2P2. Instead of the launch rail, brackets for the transport of two missiles were mounted on the vehicle. The transport and loading vehicle had a crane that could be used to load and unload the launch pad.
Mobile technical base PRTB-1 Step
The mobile technical base PRTB-1 Step (2U659) is used to transport nuclear warheads and the carrier equipment as well as to assemble the warheads. The system, which was introduced in 1959, was developed for the 2K1 Mars , 2K4 Filin , 2K6 Luna , 2K10 Ladoga and 3M1 Onega missile complexes . Together with the 2K1 Mars system:
- the vehicle for assembling the warheads 2U660 (2У660)
- the transport vehicle 2U662 (2У662) for transporting the warheads
- the transport vehicle 2U663 (2У663) for transporting the engines or the mounted rockets
- various auxiliary vehicles
Vehicles 2U661 and 2U662 were built on the chassis of the ZIL-157 truck .
The 2U663 transport vehicle is a semitrailer, consisting of the ZIL-157W semitrailer tractor and a single-axle semitrailer with a driven axle. Up to two rockets or engines can be transported on the trailer. The vehicle has no handling facilities. The nuclear warheads of the missiles being transported can be heated.
| 2U663 | |
|---|---|
| length | 14,882mm |
| width | 2,340 mm |
| height | 2,950 mm |
| Load capacity | 4.6 t |
Tactical-technical data
The weapon system corresponds to the technological level of the mid-1950s. Conceptually, it is no different from the other tactical missiles developed in the USSR and the USA during this period, in all cases they are unguided solid-fuel missiles. The rocket does not achieve the performance of the 2K6 Luna , which was put into service only a short time later , which is probably the reason for the low number of systems produced. In terms of performance data, it is comparable to the American MGR-3 Little John . Basically, however, at the beginning of the 1960s the question arose as to the tactical use of missiles with such a short range, as this was significantly below that of the large-caliber artillery for which nuclear artillery shells became available during this period .
| 2K1 Mars | 2K4 filin | 2K6 Luna | MGR-1A Honest John | MGR-3 Little John | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USSR | USSR | USSR | United States | United States | |
| drive | Solid rocket | Solid rocket | Solid rocket | Solid rocket | Solid rocket |
| Steering method | unguided | unguided | unguided | unguided | unguided |
| Commissioning | 1958 | 1958 | 1961 | 1954 | 1961 |
| Range | 17.5 km | 25.7 km | 45.0 km | 24.8 km | 18.2 km |
| Warhead | 10 kt | 10 kt | 50 kt | 5-40 kt | 1–10 kt |
| CEP | 770 m | 1000 m | 900 m | - | - |
commitment
The weapon system was the Soviet armed forces' first tactical missile system capable of firing missiles from nuclear warheads. On March 20, 1958, before the end of the tests, it was included in the armed forces of the Soviet Army with Decree No. 328–199 of the Council of Ministers of the USSR . With this directive the production of 25 launch ramps and 25 transport and loading vehicles was also decided. These vehicles were also delivered by the Barrikady plant in 1959/60 . But since at this point it was already foreseeable that the 2K6 Luna system would have significantly better combat properties, production was then discontinued. From the mid-1960s, more powerful tactical missile systems were available in sufficient numbers so that the 2K1 system could be replaced in the armament of the Soviet Army. By 1970, all 2K1 Mars systems were removed from the armament of the Soviet Army.
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c d А.Ф. Рябец: Первые отечественные подвижные средства хранения и стыковки СБЧ. (Russian)
- ↑ in this article the place names customary at the time are used
- ↑ a b c Александр Борисович Широкорад: Атомный таран XX века. (Russian)
Web links
literature
- Александр Борисович Широкорад : Атомный таран XX века. Издательский дом Вече, Москва 2005, ISBN 5-9533-0664-4 (Russian).
- Александр Борисович Широкорад: Отечественные минометы и реактивная артиллерия. Минск, Харвест, 2000 г.
- А.Ф. Рябец: Первые отечественные подвижные средства хранения и стыковки СБЧ. техника и вооружение, №11 / 2009 (Russian).