Sosna short-range air defense system: TTX, photo

With the development of air and military technology, there was a need for arming the ground forces and protecting personnel from a surprise attack by the enemy from the air. For this purpose, short-range anti-aircraft missile systems began to be used in the Russian army. Their main purpose is to protect units from attacking enemy aircraft in all types of combat, as well as on the march.
Now the main defense of the land army of Russia is the "Strela-10M3" complex. But in the near future, it is planned to introduce a new short-range SAM in the military units. On tests in 2016, he showed significant superiority over other types of equipment.

History of development

The idea to create a lightweight anti-aircraft missile system, which is Pine, appeared in 1990. Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences Shipunov AG suggested constructing a light version of the technology based on the Strela-10 missile system by introducing a laser missile guidance system and an optoelectronic control system.

The development of a new model of the SAM began in 2005 and continues to this day. The sample was first presented to the public in 2013 at a conference on the development of air defense technology in the city of Smolensk. At the same time, the first tests were carried out. It is expected that after the final tests in 2017, the Sosna SAM will be approved and adopted.

Goals and objectives of the complex

At the initial stages of the development of the complex, the aim was to increase the combat potential of the Strela-10 air defense system and increase its endurance. In accordance with this, the basic principles of design were formulated:

• Introduction of the Sennaya-10R anti-aircraft missile system into the basis of the complex;
• The creation of a new control system for ZURs, teleoriented in a laser beam;
• The introduction of a multi-channel opto-electronic weapon control system with automatic control, protected from electronic interference and capable of working around the clock, in almost any weather;
• The creation of automatic and semi-automatic fire control modes.

Among other things, Sosna SAM systems should have been more effective due to accurate targeting, the use of several types of fuses (non-contact and contact laser with a pie chart), and also by reducing the flight time to the target by increasing the initial speed.

The design of the SAM

As a basis for the combat vehicle is light-armored multi-purpose chassis LT-MB Soviet floating armored personnel carrier. Moreover, the main elements of the anti-aircraft missile system can be mounted both on a caterpillar propulsion unit and on a pneumatic wheel structure. In addition, the Sosna SAM can be installed on floating ships and be represented as a stationary installation on land.

The main requirement for the platform is a load capacity of at least 4 thousand kg. As a basis, common conveyors BTR-82, BMP-3 and BMD-4 can be used. At the same time, the combat module will include:

• Optoelectronic control system (OESU);
• Guidance system and power supply mechanisms;
• Digital computing system;
• Packets with six Sosna-R rockets in the amount of two pieces.

ZURs are located in special transport-launch containers, do not need to be checked for serviceability throughout their life. If desired, the complex can be constructed in several versions.

Tactical and technical characteristics

The combination of high rocket characteristics and efficient operation of the optoelectronic control system with laser guidance has made it possible to increase the range of aircraft engagement of the Sosna SAM. The TTX of the new model in comparison with the prototype ("Strela 10MZ") is at a higher level.

The complex can be used in the battery (including mixed batteries). In this case, the target designation will be answered either by the control point from the battery, or by the commander's car. In addition, the SAM can independently aim at targets using sector search and working in a passive mode, which at the same time makes it difficult to detect.

Sennaya-R antiaircraft guided missile

The Sosna-R missile is a new development of Russian military engineers. Its weight is only 7 kg, which made it possible to exclude a loading car from the Sosna SAM system.

The missile consists of three elements:

• The combat part of the armor-piercing action for engaging the enemy in direct contact with him;
• Combat fragmentation-rod part, which is used for non-contact destruction of air equipment;
• Laser contact-non-contact fuse, equipped with a combined control system.

The Sosna short-range missile system is a two-stage missile with one detachable rocket engine. With the exit from the transport-launch container, the direction of flight of the anti-aircraft guided missile is monitored by the radio command system. It also takes the missile to the line of sight. After this, the start engine is separated, the protection against radio interference is switched on. Further pursuit of the goal is carried out using a laser guidance system.

Optoelectronic control system

A feature of the new anti-aircraft missile system is the opto-electronic control system. Owing to it, the SAM:

• Has high accuracy;
• Instantly and accurately determines the coordinates of the target;
• Protected from radar interference;
• Can secretly fire on the enemy.

From the moment of detection to the defeat of enemy aircraft, it can operate in the fully automatic mode of the Sosna SAM.

The characteristics of the ESOU are practically not comparable.
The optoelectronic module is installed on a gyrostabilized platform, it is also capable of operating in a semi-automatic mode, when the operator controls the machine, but many computer processes occur in the digital unit. Semi-automatic guidance mode is preferable to use in a complex combat situation.

Protection technology

Even at the early stages of the development of the complex, it was decided to abandon the use of radar target detection systems. This decision subsequently increased the degree of protection of the combat vehicle from the enemy's anti-radar systems - it became practically invulnerable to them.

Anti-aircraft guided missiles, like the Pine itself, short-range ZRKs, are protected against interference by several methods that are embedded in their design. The receiver of laser radiation is located in the tail part of the SAM, which makes it impossible to block and distort the control signal.

Protection from interference from the ground part of the complex is created due to the narrow field of view of television and thermal imaging channels. If necessary, the SAM is equipped with visual and thermal masking.

Assessment of the SAM in Russia

During the field and state tests, the command of the armed forces of the Russian Federation allocated a number of advantages of the new Sosna SAM (photo attached) in comparison with previous representatives of short-range missile systems:

1. The effectiveness of the defeat of both high-speed and low-flying air equipment, including helicopters and UAVs.
2. Controlled level of automation of detection and destruction of targets in combat.
3. Ability to work around the clock and in all weather conditions.
4. Practically inconspicuous process of deploying the complex into combat readiness.
5. Absence of restrictions on the height, the possibility of destroying ground equipment.
6. The ability to fire from a place, in motion and at short stops.

The command noted the low cost of both a combat vehicle and anti-aircraft guided missiles. It was suggested that after a successful test in 2017, the complex will be adopted into the Russian army.

Not to be confused! ZRPC "Pine-RA" and SAM "Sosna"

Under the Pine index, various types of weapons and military equipment have been adopted in the Russian army. The most commonly confused mobile towed anti-aircraft missile and gun system "Sosna-RA" and presented in the article of the SAM.

"Pine-RA", like the missile system, can both act as an independent combat unit and be mounted on various vehicles.

Unlike its "older brother", the ZRPK is designed to cover ground forces only from low-flying aircraft. Like the Sosna SAM system, the ZRPK uses Sosna-R short-range missiles to defeat air targets. Perhaps, this is the only common feature of the two units of military equipment presented.