Anti-aircraft missile and artillery complex "Dirk": device, photo

In the seventies, NATO countries became owners ofseveral modernized anti-ship high-speed rockets, manufactured with consideration of modern technologies. Equipped with homing heads, capable of flying at a low altitude above the surface of the water, these installations posed a serious threat to enemy ships. In order to successfully withstand NATO high-speed missiles, the Soviet designers designed the air defense missile and artillery complex "Kortik".

Who was involved in designing the ZRAK?

Design work on rocket artillerycomplex "Dirk" began in the late 1970's. The design was carried out in the PCU in the city of Tula. Serial production of the complex "Kortik" was carried out by workers of the Tula machine-building plant. The radar system was manufactured at the radio engineering enterprise in Serpukhov, and the combat equipment was used in the Research Institute of Physical Problems named after F. V. Lukin. The anti-aircraft missile and artillery complex "Kortik" (GRAU 3M87), still known as ZAKK "Kashtan" (export name), entered service in 1989.

Purpose

The plans of Soviet designers were to replaceobsolete zenith systems with the new anti-aircraft complex "Dirk". To do this, we had to eliminate the problems inherent in the old ship's SAM systems. To "Dirk" could successfully resist NATO's high-speed missiles, he must have:

• Improved capabilities in the detection and support of the target, including high-speed;
• increased ammunition;
• accelerated recharge;
• increased probability of destruction of the target.

Progress

During the design, Soviet designersdecided not to limit themselves to the creation of a purely artillery or purely rocket antiaircraft complex. In their opinion, new weapons should possess the best qualities of these two defense systems in the complex. Tula designers had already assembled a similar system, known as the landed Zrank Tunguska. "Dirk" - anti-aircraft missile and artillery complex - was designed taking into account the already existing developments from the "Tunguska". By assembling a new ZRAK, the designers used the already prepared nodes. Some of them were completely, unchanged, transferred to Dirk. The missile system nevertheless contains most of the elements that had to be re-designed.

Feature of the structure of the new ZRAK

Anti-aircraft missile and artillery complex "Kortik"can be equipped with one or two command modules containing a radar and a digital control system. For a small ship, one combat module with missiles and cannons is intended, and for a large destroyer or a cruiser there are several, with a whole set of different anti-aircraft weapons. If necessary, combat modules (3С87) can be installed on any part of the deck. One module, without ammunition, weighs 9,500 kg, with an ammunition load of 12,000 kg. For its installation, a special rotary platform has been developed, which allows navigating weapons horizontally. The upper part of the module is equipped with a radar and opto-electronic stations, responsible for aiming at the target. The lateral surfaces of the platform became the location of guns and missiles.

Armament

The DOCTOR "Dirk" is equipped with:

• Anti-aircraft guided two-stage solid-fueled missiles 9M311-1, which have fragmentation-rod warheads and non-contact target sensors.
• Two six-barreled anti-aircraft guns AO-18K caliber 30 mm, capable of aiming at a distance of 2 -4 km.
• A command module that performs target detection, distribution and issuing instructions for combat modules.
• One or six combat modules. They accept target designations emanating from command modules, perform automatic tracking of the target and carry out firing with the help of both missile and artillery weapons.
• A special system responsible for storing and recharging shipborne weapons. This system is a container in which combat modules are lifted and placed in a cellar.

In order to protect rockets from propellant gasescannon trunks have special cylindrical casings. In ZORAK "Dirk" is used a screwless feeder of shells. The complex is fully automated.

Tactical and technical characteristics

• The DOCTOR "Dirk" is designed to defeat the target in two zones:

Missiles:

1) 1 km 500 m - 8 km;

2) 5 km - 3 km 500 m.

Artillery:

1) 500 m - 4 km;

2) 5 m - 3 km.

• The rate of fire of the ZRAK is 10 thousand shots per minute.
• Response time 8 sec.
• The accuracy of the radar aiming channel is within two to three meters.
• "Dirk" is characterized by a high probability of defeat: 94-99%.

Who is using the complex?

The bearers of ZRAC "Dirk" were:

• Heavy nuclear missile cruisers "Peter the Great" and "Admiral Nakhimov".
• Heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov.
• The guard ship Steregushchy.

Also ZRACK "Dirk" is used by patrol ships "Neustrashimy" and "Yaroslav the Wise", as well as frigate "Talvar".

Export version of the anti-aircraft complex

In the 1990s, the Zashik Kashtan appeared, whichalmost nothing differs from its basic version - "Dirk". The only difference is that the Dirk complex is used only by the Russian Navy, and the Zashik Kashtan is intended specifically for export. The buyers of this version of the anti-aircraft complex were the Indian military. The Navy of India is using the frigates of the project 1135.6. To this frigate is attached one combat and one command module. During the period 2003-2013, India sold 10 such vessels of the project 1135.6, with the Zashik "Kashtan" installed on them.

Conclusion

ZRAC "Kortik" is used by the Russian Navy for protectionships and stationary objects from enemy anti-ship high-frequency missiles. This ZRAC is very effective for firing at small-size sea and land targets.