S-400 missile system

The S-400 Triumf (Russian: C-400 Триумф – Triumf; translation: Triumph; NATO reporting name: SA-21 Growler), previously known as the S-300 PMU-3, is a mobile surface-to-air missile (SAM) system developed in the 1990s by Russia's NPO Almaz as an upgrade to the S-300 family of missiles. The S-400 was approved for service on 28 April 2007 and the first battalion of the systems assumed combat duty on 6 August 2007. The system is complemented by its successor, the S-500.

Development

The development of the S-400 began in the early 1980s to replace the S-200 missile system, but was rejected by a state commission due to high cost and inability to address the threat of cruise missiles. In the late 1980s, the programme was revived in under the codename Triumf as a system capable of engaging aircraft at long range plus cruise missiles and stealth aircraft. The Soviet government approved the Truimf programme on 22 August 1991, but the collapse of the Soviet Union put development into limbo. It was announced by the Russian Air Force in January 1993. On 12 February 1999 successful tests were reported at Kapustin Yar in Astrakhan, and the S-400 was scheduled for deployment by the Russian army in 2001. The S-400 was officially revived on 7 July 1999, albeit as a modernization of the S-300PM rather than an S-200 replacement. Alexander Lemanskiy of Almaz-Antey was the Chief Engineer on the S-400 project.

In 2003, it became apparent that the system was not ready for deployment. In August, two high-ranking military officials expressed concern that the S-400 was being tested with older interceptors from the S-300P system and concluded that it was not ready for deployment. The completion of the project was announced in February 2004. In April, a ballistic missile was successfully intercepted in a test of the upgraded 48N6DM missile. The system was approved for service by the government on 28 April 2007. Russia had accepted for service the 40N6 long-range missile for the S-400 air-defence system, a source in the domestic defense industry told TASS news agency in October 2018.

The S-400 Triumf and Pantsir missile system can be integrated into a two-layer defense system.

Structure

S-400 missile systems are organized around the 30K6E administration system, which can coordinate eight divizions (battalions). The 55K6E is a command and control center based on the Ural-532301 vehicle. The 91N6E is a panoramic radar detection system with a 340 km (210 mi) range and protection against jamming, and is mounted on an MZKT-7930 vehicle. Six battalions of 98ZH6E surface-to-air missile systems (an independent combat system) can track no more than six targets on their own, with an additional two battalions if they are within a 40-kilometre (25 mi) range. The 92N6E (or 92N2E) is a multi-functional radar with a 340-kilometre (210 mi) range, which can track 20 targets. The 5P85TE2 transporter-erector-launcher and the 5P85SE2 on a trailer (up to 12 launchers) are used for launch. The 48N6E, 48N6E2, 48N6E3, 48N6DM, 9M96E, 9M96E2, and the ultra-long-range 40N6E missiles have been authorized by a Russian presidential decree.

Optional elements of the S-400 (98ZH6E) include the 15I6ME–98ZH6E, which extends coverage 30, 60, and 90 km (19, 38, and 57 mi) from that provided by the 30K6E. The 96L6E has a 300-kilometre (190 mi) detection range. The 40B6M is housing for the 92N6E or 96L6E radar. The Protivnik-GE is an anti-stealth UHF radar with a 400-kilometre (250 mi) range. The Moscow-1 passive sensor is 2+1⁄2 times more effective than the Protivnik, with a 400-kilometre (250 mi) range Orion for a target-designation on-the-air defense system, and the Avtobaza-M and Orion+ Avtobaza add high-precision detection. The 1RL220BE versions were reportedly used for jamming. The 400-kilometre (250 mi)-range S-200D Dubna (SA-5c) missiles and S-300 P-family radar systems can be used without additional command-and-control centers. S-300 (SA-20A, SA-20B) missiles may also be guided. Beriev A-50 aircraft provide early warning and command-and-control target designation.

The 30К6Е control system can be integrated with the S-400 Triumf 98ZH6E system; the S-300PMU2 (through the 83М6Е2 control system); the S-300PMU1 (through the 83М6Е control system); the Tor-M1 through the Ranzhir-M battery-command post; the Pantsir-S1 through the lead battery vehicle. The Protivnik-GE and Gamma-DE radars, integrated with the 92H6E radar system, enables communication between each battery with Baikal-E senior command posts and similar types; nearby 30К6Е, 83М6Е and 83М6Е2 administration systems; the Polyana-D4М1 command post; fighter-aircraft command post, and mobile long-range radars. The system's VHF component provides sector search-and-tracking, with the X- and L-band components providing fine-tracking capability. Good placement of the radars relative to the threat axis enables the L- and X-band components to illuminate the incoming target from angles where the target radar cross-section (RCS) is sub-optimal. The RLM-S and RLM-D have better elevation-tracking accuracy than the RLM-M, and the Nebo-M should be capable of producing high-quality tracks suitable for mid-course guidance of modern surface-to-air missiles and trajectory guidance of legacy SAMs.

The Gamma-C1E SHF mobile radar station has a 300-kilometre (190 mi) detection range. The Nebo-M VHF mobile radar station and the Resonance-NE radar station have a detection range of 400 kilometres (250 mi), and 40 kilometres (25 mi) to an altitude of 500 metres (1,600 ft). All Nebo-family locators are doubled for army air defense. During the 1970s, the long-range mobile UHF 5H87, and SHF 5H69 low-altitude locators were used. A goal of the 1980s was detection at an altitude of 10 metres (33 ft) at a distance of 40 km (25 mi). The Elbrus-90 computer is used to control the system.

Components

According to the Almaz-Antey product brochure, the 92N6E multi-function radar acts as the primary radar with an actual detection range of 340 km. An interceptor missile is highly dependent on 92N6E multi-function radar rather than Nebo-SVU high-altitude VHF radar.

The 91N6E panoramic radar has a declared targeting range of 150 km (93 mi) Maximum targeting ranges (detection ranges are wider) are:

• For a ballistic target (speed of 4800 m/s and a RCS of 0.4 square metres): 200 km (120 mi)
• For a target with RCS of 4 square metres: 340 km (210 mi)
• For targeting of strategic-bomber sized types: 340 km (210 mi)

The 96L6 high-altitude detector (TSBS) radar and equipment operates independently of the 96L6E low-level radar detector. The 96L6E2 export version can track a maximum of 20 targets, and is resistant to false returns of clutter in mountainous terrain. It can perform the functions of a command post for battalions of S-300 (SA20/20A/20B) or S-400. The 96L6-1 serves as command of S-400 and S-500 batteries.

• PBU 55K6E command center with a maximum distance between the command center and the battalion of 98ZH6E when re-transmitters are being used is 100 km (62 mi).

Missiles are launched from 5P85TE2 self-propelled launchers or 5P85SE2 trailer launchers operating in conjunction with a BAZ-64022 or MAZ-543M tractor-trailer. A new type of transporter was introduced in 2014 to improve mobility while reducing fuel consumption. The cost of transporters in 2014 is 8.7 million rubles. The MAZ launcher chassis are reportedly of higher quality than the domestic equivalent.

Missiles

One system comprising eight divizion (battalions) can control 72 launchers, with a maximum of 384 missiles (including missiles with a range of less than 250 km [160 mi]). A gas system launches missiles from launch tubes. At 30 metres (98 ft) downrange rocket motor ignition activates. In April 2015, a successful test firing of the missile was conducted at an airborne target at a range of 400 km (250 mi); transporter erector launchers (TELs) carrying the long-range 40N6 may only hold two missiles instead of the typical four due to their large size. Another test recorded a 9M96 missile using an active radar homing head that reached an altitude of 56 km (35 mi). All missiles are equipped with directed explosion warheads, which increases the probability of complete destruction of aerial targets but are less effective against ballistic targets. In 2016, Russian anti-aircraft missile troops received upgraded guided missiles for S-300 and S-400 defense systems. The anti-aircraft version of the missile system, designed to destroy aircraft, cruise, and ballistic missiles, can also be used against ground targets. The S-400 is able to intercept cruise missiles at a range of only about 40 km (25 mi) due to their low-altitude flight paths.