- Subscribe to PCF Networked Blog Daily Updates
- Subscribe to our Twitter / Google / Yahoo Daily Updates
TOR-M2 missile system (RIA Novosti / Andrei Aleksandrov) |
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.
A Tor M-2 displayed in Russia. Source: Vitaly V. Kuzmin |
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 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.
(RT)
Pakistan Cyber Force