S-125 Neva

The S-125 Neva ( Russian С-125 Нева , NATO reporting name : SA-3 GOA ) is a radar-guided air defense missile system with a two-stage rocket, which in the Soviet Union from the design office Isayev was developed and from 1961 the armed forces of the Warsaw Pact in action was.

A stationary SA-3 rocket launch pad

Development and tactics

The S-125 is a further development of the S-75 system. The P-15 (Nato: Flat Face ) and PRW-11 (Nato: Side Net ) radars were largely taken over unchanged. The West learned of the system in early 1959 through a photo reconnaissance of the Kapustin Yar missile test site . At this point in time, final tests were carried out with the largely finished guided missiles. The first S-125 batteries were deployed around Moscow between 1961 and 1964.

The Soviet military leadership soon began to combine the S-125 with the long-range missiles of the type S-200 in brigades. Such a mixed brigade consisted of three divisions with six S-200 starters and two to three S-125 divisions with four starters each. When defending special goals, the systems were also combined with the S-75 system, all grouped under a common control system.

technology

The entire system is mounted on trucks and trailers, which makes it possible to change location quickly. On each truck - TEL there are normally two missiles on fixed starters usually up to four pieces. The following vehicles are required to operate an S-125 battery: a missile control station, a power supply unit and a cabin for the crew.

Radars

The radar complex allows two missiles to be guided at the same time. The volley shot is standard with this weapon system. It is always fired in double volleys, except when there is a lack of missiles. In the event of severe electronic interference , the target can also be captured using a video camera that can also be used at night. This is also necessary in many cases, as the S-125 hardly has adequate ECCM capacities compared to modern disruptive measures.

The P-15 flat-face radar device on a ZIL-157 truck

Radar device	P-15 flat face	PRW-11 Side Net	Low blow
purpose	Surveillance / target acquisition	Height finder	Target tracking / fire control / steering
Frequency range	0.83 GHz	2-3 GHz	Target tracking / fire control: 8-10 GHz Steering: 1–2 GHz
Max. Range	200 km	180 km	Target pursuit: 85 km Fire control: 40 km Steering: 29 km
Pulse power	300 kW	k. A.	250 kW
Airtime	1.5 µs	k. A.	0.25-5 µs
Pulse repetition frequency	500-660 Hz	k. A.	Target tracking: 3560-3585 Hz Fire control: 1750–3500 Hz
Distance resolution	300 m	k. A.	k. A.
Angular resolution	8 °	k. A.	k. A.

Guided missile

5V27

Parameter	Data
length	6.7 m
Takeoff weight	400 kg
diameter	0.6 m
drive	two-stage rocket motor + booster
speed	Do 3
Range	25 km
Minimal range	3.5 km
Bet height	18,000 m
Minimum bet amount	100 m
Maximum target speed	560 m / s (2016 km / h)
steering	Radio commands
Minimum target RCS	0.5 m²
Warhead	60 kg fragmentation warhead, highly explosive
Interference immunity	200 W / MHz
ignition	Radar proximity and impact fuze
Effective radius	12.5 m

Marine version

The M-1 starter on the deck of a Kashin-class destroyer

A marine version was also developed parallel to the land-based version. This is known as M-1 Wolna (NATO code name: SA-N-1A ). The first test took place on board the destroyer Brawyi ( Kotlin class ) in 1962. The system was introduced that same year. The rocket 4K90 (also W-600) used has a range of 4 to 15 km and an altitude range of 0.1 to 10 km. Only one target can be fought at a time, and the system also has a surface-to-surface mode of operation that enables the missiles to be used against surface targets. The magazine of a ZIF-101 rocket launcher holds 16 rockets. Later, the ZIF-102 launcher, which can hold 32 missiles, was introduced on newer ships. The system was also delivered to Poland and India . The following radars are used:

Radar device	MR-500 Big Net	MR-310 Head Net	4R90 Peel Group
purpose	Surveillance / target acquisition	Target acquisition	Target tracking / fire control
Frequency range	1-2 GHz	2-4 GHz	2-4 GHz
Max. Range	300 km	130 km	42 km

Modernizations

Marine version

The modernized variant Wolna-M (SA-N-1B), including the new guided missile 4K91 (W-601), includes the following improvements:

• Semi-active radar search head (possibly also infrared )
• New warhead
• Improved booster
• Increased range (6–25 km)
• Extended altitude range (0.1-25 km)

The modernization of Wolna-P includes the following improvements:

• Additional target channel for the video system
• Higher immunity to interference

With the Wolna-N variant , the improved W-601M guided missile was introduced, which can better combat particularly low-flying targets.

Land version

In the first modernization S-125M , the 4K91 (W-601) guided missile was introduced. The missile is based on the naval version and has a new booster and warhead. The subsequent modernization S-125M1 (SA-3B) includes various improvements. Guided weapons of the type W-601PD, W-601G, W-601GP and W-601GPU were used.

The most extensive upgrade was carried out as part of the Pechora-2A system. It is produced by the Belarusian company Tetraedr and is based on the S-125M1. According to the manufacturer, this modernization includes the following improvements:

• Improved ECCM capacities
• Reduced maintenance and longer service life
• Automatic tracking mode for the video system
• 50% of all analog assemblies were replaced by digital ones.

In addition, the new 5W27D guided missile is used.

Pechora-2A

Parameter	Data
Range	28 km
Minimal range	3.5 km
Bet height	20,000 m
Minimum bet amount	20 m
Maximum target speed	700 m / s (2,520 km / h)
Target acquisition	2.5-3 s
Minimal RCS	0.5 m²
ECCM immunity	2000  W / MHz

The company is currently working on the successor version , the Petschora-2TM . It should further increase the interference immunity (to 2700 W / MHz).

Poland has offered a modernization program for old S-125 systems since 2001. The designation is Neva SC . Many analog parts were replaced by digital ones and an IFF module and a data link were added. The launchers are mounted on a T-55 chassis, the radar on a MAZ-543 (previously used for mobile Scud launchers).

In the same year, the Russian systems were also modernized to the Pechora-M standard. This is a comprehensive upgrade in combat value that includes the following areas: rocket motor, radar, guidance, warhead, proximity fuse and electronics. In addition, a laser / infrared target system was integrated in order to determine the distance with optical accompaniment (tracking).

Pechora-2M

Parameter	Data
Range	30 km
Minimal range	3.5 km
Bet height	20,000 m
Minimum bet amount	20 m
Maximum target speed	700 m / s (2,520 km / h)
Target acquisition	Max. 3 s
Minimal RCS	0.1-0.15 m²
ECCM immunity	2,000 W / MHz

At the end of 2008, a total of seven countries ( Venezuela , Libya , Syria , Egypt , Burma , Vietnam , Turkmenistan ) signed contracts for the delivery of Pechora-2M complexes with a total value of 250 million US dollars. A total of 200 guided missiles are to be delivered, with 70 going to Egypt.

commitment

A 5P73 launch pad of the Serbian 250th Missile Air Defense Brigade is equipped with an S-125 missile using a PR-14AM transport truck

The S-125 was used in some conflicts ( Kosovo War , Second Gulf War , etc.). In general, the system turned out to be ineffective, as the opposing forces often had powerful EloKa capacities and the operating teams were often insufficiently trained. On March 27, 1999, during the war in Kosovo, a US stealth bomber of the type F-117 Nighthawk was shot down by a Serbian S-125 unit. The circumstances have not yet been clarified exactly. It is believed, among other things, that the Serbs were able to determine the exact flight route of the F-117 through their secret service. What is certain is the fact that a network of three radar devices was established in order to increase the probability of detection . The use of the video system with night vision capabilities (or another retrofitted EO system) is also to be viewed as a realistic scenario.

User states

Note: States in italics are former users

• America: Cuba , Peru , Venezuela
• Europe: Yugoslavia , Serbia , Hungary , Bulgaria , Romania , Poland , Finland , GDR , CSSR , Russia , Slovenia , Ukraine
• Africa: Algeria , Angola , Ethiopia , Mozambique , Somalia , Tanzania , Zambia , South Sudan
• Middle East: Egypt , Libya , Syria , Yemen , Iraq , Armenia
• Middle East: India , Turkmenistan , Afghanistan , Pakistan
• East Asia: Myanmar , Vietnam , Democratic People's Republic of Korea

Comparable systems

• SA-6 Gainful
• SA-11 Gadfly
• MIM-23 HAWK
• Sea darts

Web links

Commons : S-125 Newa  - album with pictures, videos and audio files

• Additional information and pictures ( Memento from September 27, 2007 in the Internet Archive )
• S-125 at Peters-ADA.de

Individual evidence

1. ↑ "Zenith" missile system S-200 , bastion-karpenko.ru, private homepage (Russian)
2. ↑ Russia delivers S-125 missiles to seven countries on www.russlandonline.ru ; Accessed: December 29, 2008 (English)