Tests of a new missile for the advanced version of the Russian air defense system Tor-M2 proved it is capable of shooting down challenging targets with amazing precision, hitting moving missiles head-on, Russian arms manufacturer Almaz-Antey revealed.
In an attempt to push the limits of modern missile defense
systems, Russian military design bureaus Almaz-Antey and Vympel
NPO (now part of Tactical Missiles Corporation) have jointly
developed the new 9M338 surface-to-air missile.
Tested with the latest Tor-M2 missile system, the new weapon
displayed remarkable precision. It destroyed three of its moving
targets head-on.
“We fired five missiles at very difficult targets [highly
maneuverable target drones Saman], and three of the targets were
shot down by direct missile-against-missile hits, that is,
head-on. This is an excellent result, an amazing precision,”
Sergey Druzin, head of research and development at Almaz-Antey,
told RIA Novosti.
Druzin called the result “unique,” adding that the other two
targets were destroyed by shrapnel from exploding warheads.
Shooting down air targets this way is how most modern defense
systems work. Scoring guaranteed direct hits at maneuverable
missiles has eluded even the most advanced military technologies.
The outstanding 9M338 is thus “a result of a very hard and
long work,” Druzin said.
Another advantage of the new missile is its small size, which has
allowed the increase of Tor-M2 ammunition from 8 to 16 rounds.
“We can say now that a unique air defense system in its class
with an astounding precision and range has been created. Its
performance surpasses all planned parameters,” Druzin
concluded.
According to the official, the improved Tor-M2 system with 9M338
missiles has been approved by a state commission for mass
production for the Russian Army. The advanced version of the
system was unveiled by Almaz-Antey on Thursday, and also features
an extended firing range.
But according to Druzin, the system could be improved even
further - by eliminating the launcher’s stop time when it’s ready
to fire a missile.
“The mobile launcher currently stops for two or three seconds
to launch a missile, but it could be done on a move, without
stopping,” the official explained.
The Tor system is a low- to medium-altitude, short-range
surface-to-air missile system designed to intercept aircraft,
cruise missiles, precision-guided munitions, unmanned aerial
vehicles, and ballistic targets.
Tor-M1 and Tor-M2U models, armed with 9M331 missiles, are
currently in service with the Russian army.