Basic Information

Name

SA-20C (S-300PMU-2) Iranian-Long Range Air Defense Missile System

Designation

SA-20C

Alternate Designation

SA-20C; S-300PMU-2

Equipment Type

Long-Range Air Defense Missile System

Manufacturer

MZiK

Date of Introduction

1997

Description

The SA-20C is an exported version of the S-300PMU-2 The S-300PMU-2 or SA-20B Favorit air defense missile system was developed especially for export. It evolved from the S-300PM-2, which was developed for the Russian Armed Forces. The S-300PMU-2 has the highest capabilities in the S-300P family. It was introduced in 1997. As of 2016, this system is 19 years old. The S-300PMU-2 is referred in the West as SA-20B Gargoyle. It uses a 30N6E1 (Tomb Stone) radar. This radar has a range of 300 km, can detect 100 targets, track and engage 36 of them and guide 72 missiles. It is worth noting that earlier radars of the S-300 family could simultaneously engage only 6 targets and guide 12 missiles. The S-300PMU-2 Favourite (DoD designation SA-20B), introduced in 1997 (presented ready 1996), is an upgrade to the S-300PMU-1 with range-extended once again to 195 km (121 mi) with the introduction of the 48N6E2 missile. This system is apparently capable of not just short-range ballistic missiles, but now also medium-range ballistic missiles. It uses the 83M6E2 command and control system, consisting of the 54K6E2 command post vehicle and the 64N6E2 surveillance/detection radar. It employs the 30N6E2 fire control/illumination and guidance radar. Like the S-300PMU-1, 12 TELs can be controlled, with any mix of 5P85SE2 self-propelled and 5P85TE2 trailer launchers. Optionally it can make use of the 96L6E all altitude detection radar and 76N6 low altitude detection radar. A version titled HQ-15 is currently in Chinese service.

Ground Specifications

Mobility Type Wheeled (8x8)

Main Weapon 4 x 48N6E2 Surface-to-Air Missiles

Active Protection None

NBC Protection Yes

Max Speed 65.0 km/h

Range 200.0 km

Variants

S-300PMU2 Favorit/SA-20B This is an upgraded variant with larger 9M96E and 9M96E2 missiles developed for the S-400. It can also fire the previous 5V55K, 5V55R, 48N6E, and 48N6E2 missiles. It is equipped with an improved guidance system. Unveiled in 1997, the system has an increased range of 124 mi (200 km). The 48N6E2 missile features a warhead designed to destroy ballistic missiles.

System

Alternative Designation SA-20C; S-300PMU-2

Type Long-Range Air Defense Missile System

Manufacturer MZiK

Family S-300 Family

Chassis MAZ-543 Special Wheeled Chassis

In Service 1997-Present

Crew INA

Displacement Time Less than 5 Minutes

Emplacement Time Less than 5 Minutes

Reload Vehicle 5T58 reload vehicle

Maximum Range of Fire 165 km

Maximum Altitude 27 km

Number of Targets Engaged Simultaneously 6 ea

Note #1 Capable of hitting ballistic and aerodynamic targets. Became the first multi-channel anti-aircraft missile system, is able to accompany each system (ADMS) to 6 goals and build them up to 12 missiles.

Note #2 A typical SA-20 battery consists of 48 missiles on 12 mobile launchers. Each battery can launch a 48N6 missile every three seconds.

Dimensions (MAZ-543 Special Wheeled Chassis)

Length 11.7 m

Width 3.07 m

Height 2.92 m

Maximum Load 15 tons

Ground Pressure INA

Automotive (MAZ-543 Special Wheeled Chassis)

Engine Name D12A-525 38.9-liter Diesel

Engine Type Diesel

Engine Power 525 hp

Cruising Range 650 km

Speed, Maximum Road 65 km/h

Speed, Average Cross INA

Speed Maximum Swim Not Amphibious

Configuration 8x8

Gradient 60 %

Side Slope 40 %

Vertical Step 0.6 m

Trench 2 m

Fording Depth 1.3 m

Communications

Note See Fire Control.

Missile System

Note #1 The S-300 family missiles have four clipped folding triangular moving control fins at the rear and four thrust vector control vanes in the motor efflux.

Note #2 Missiles are vertically launched by a hot gas cartridge in the canister base. The motor ignites once the missile reaches an altitude of 25 m.

Missile Launcher

Name 4 x 5P85S or 5P85D launchers

Type Tube Launcher

Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Capability Yes

Note The missiles can be fired in a salvo with an interval between 3 and 5 seconds.

Missile (Option 1)

Name 4 x 48N6E2 Surface-to-Air Missiles

Type Surface-to-Air Missiles

Length 7.5 m

Width 0.5 m

Weight 1,780 kg

Warhead Weight 70-100 kg

Maximum Range 200 km

Engine Type Single-stage, solid-fuel-propelled

Guidance System Track-via-missile

TVM Guidance Capable Yes

ABM Capable Yes

Maximum Velocity 2,000 m/s

Speed Mach 6

Kill Probability 0.70 to 0.93 single shot

Ballistic Targets Range 5-40 km

Maximum Altitude 28 km

Minimum Altitude 10 m

Basic Load 4 x 48N6E2 Surface-to-Air Missiles per TEL

Note The 48N6E2 can engage targets with a maximum speed of Mach 8.

Missile (Option 2)

Name 4 x 5V55R/5V55KD Surface-to-Air Missiles

Type Surface-to-Air Missiles

Length 7 m

Diameter 450 mm

Weight 1,450 kg

Engine Single-stage, solid-fuel-propelled

Guidance System SARH

Warhead Weight 100 kg

Maximum Range 90 km

Maximum Velocity 1,900 m/s

Maximum Target Speed 1,150 m/s

Basic Load 4 x 5V55R/5V55KD Surface-to-Air Missiles per TEL

Missile (Option 3)

Name 4 x 9M96E1 Surface-to-Air Missiles

Type Surface-to-Air Missiles

Length INA

Width INA

Weight 330 kg

Warhead Weight 24 kg

Engine Single-stage, solid-fuel-propelled

Guidance System Active radar homing

Maximum Range 40 km

Maximum Velocity 900 m/s

Maximum Target Speed 4,800–5,000 m/s

Probability of Kill 0.7 against a tactical ballistic missile

Basic Load 4 x 9M96E1 Surface-to-Air Missiles per TEL

Missile (Option 4)

Name 4 x 9M96E2 Surface-to-Air Missiles

Type Surface-to-Air Missiles

Width INA

Weight 420 kg

Warhead Weight 24 kg

Engine Single-stage, solid-fuel-propelled

Guidance System Active radar homing

Maximum Range 120 km

Maximum Velocity 1,000 m/s

Maximum Target Speed 4,800–5,000 m/s

Probability of Kill 0.7 against a tactical ballistic missile

Basic Load 4 x 9M96E2 Surface-to-Air Missiles

Fire Control

Command Post Vehicle 1 x 54K6E2 Command Post Vehicle.

Fire Control System

Name 1 x 83M6E2 Command and Control System

Computerized FCS Yes

Direct Fire Yes, no less than 1km

Indirect Fire Yes

Fire Control Sensors Yes

IADS Integration INA

Number of Targets Engaged Simultaneously 6 ea

GPS/GLONASS Enabled Yes

Loran-C Capable Yes

Fiber-optic Gyros Yes

Note #1 The vehicle lowers four hydraulic jacks for launch.

Note #2 The S-300PMU2 air defense missile system can simultaneously engage up to 36 air targets by 72 missiles.

Radar #1

Name 1 x 64N6 (NATO:BIG BIRD) Surveillance and Target Acquisition Radar

Type Surveillance and Target Acquisition Radar

Frequency/Band 3D S-band radar

Target Detection Range 600 km

Simultaneously Detected Targets +300 targets

Note #1 It has 3 400 elements on each side (a total of 7 800), which is a great number for a radar in this band.

Note #2 Regiment Radar

Radar #2

Name 1 x 30N6E2 (NATO: Tomb Stone) Illumination and Guidance Radar

Type Illumination and Guidance Radar

Mission primarily designed to be used as an engagement radar and to track targets and guide missiles to impact using a command link channel

NATO Reporting Name FLAP LID B

NATO Frequency Band I-J

Target Detection Range 300 km

Azimuth Detection 360 deg

Number of Tragets Detection 100 ea

Simultaneously Engaged Targets 6 ea

Maximum Target Speed 30 - 2,800 m/s

Antenna Antenna RPN 30N6E2 may rise to a special mobile tower 40V6M.

Chassis The 30N6E2 Tomb stone radar is mounted on the high mobility truck chassis 8x8 MAZ-7910 vehicle derived from the MAZ-543.

Missile Control 72 km

Time Ready to Work 5 min

Maximum Elevation +60 deg

Minimum Elevation -3 deg

Radar #3

Name 1 x 96L6E (NATO: CHEESE BOARD 3D early-warning and acquisition radar.

Type 3D early-warning and acquisition radar

NATO Reporting Name CHEESE BOARD

Introduction Date 1997

NATO Frequency Band INA

Target Detection Range 300 km

Simultaneously Tracked Targets 100 ea

Works in Conjunction with The 83M6E2 control post and S-300MPU2 launchers.

Chassis MAZ-7930 (8x8) truck chassis and is intended for use with the S-300PMU and S-300PMU1 air defence systems as an upgrade to replace several existing radar's with a single more capable system.

Band C-Band

Crew Three operators are needed to run the set. Up to five operator consoles are provided.

Antenna The phased-array antenna with 96 radiating rows employs mechanical beam steering in azimuth and electronic beam steering in elevation.

Antenna Rotation 5-10 rpm

Mean Time Betweeen Critical Failure 10,000 hours

High Jam Resistance Yes

Frequency Hoppying Yes

High Clutter Rejection Yes

Operation Modes There are two operation modes implemented: Low altitude targets can be acquired by constraining the mainlobe elevation angle between -3° and +1.5° using an antenna rotation of 5 rpm.

Note The 96L6E “Cheese Board” is designed to replace the 36D6 “Tin Shield B” and 76N6 “Clam Shell”.

Protection

Hull Armor INA

Turret Armor INA

Applique Armor INA

Explosive Reactive Armor No

Active Protection System No

Mine Clearing No

Self-Entrenching Blade No

NBC Protection Yes

Smoke Equipment INA

Camouflage Nets Yes, Standard

Note Protection. Additional elements of protection are the placement of components of C-300 in the trenches (practiced as placing on the hills for a better view and more rapid care of the horizon, and in the trenches for stealth and protection against fragments of explosions).

Image Sources

Notes https://www.ausairpower.net/APA-S-300PMU2-Favorit.html; https://www.armyrecognition.com/index.php;