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

In the seventies, NATO countries became the owners of several modernized anti-ship high-speed rockets, manufactured with modern technologies in mind. Equipped with homing heads, able to fly at 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 anti-aircraft missile and artillery complex "Kortik".

Who was involved in designing the ZRAK?

Design work on the rocket and artillery complex "Kortik" began in the late 1970s. 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 at the Research Institute of Physical Problems named after F. V. Lukin. The anti-aircraft missile and artillery complex "Kortik" (GRAU 3M87), still known as ZRAC "Kashtan" (export name), entered service in 1989.

Purpose

The plans of Soviet designers were to replace obsolete anti-aircraft systems with a 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, it must have:

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

Progress

During the design, Soviet designers decided 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 at one time had already assembled a similar system, known as the land ZRAC "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

The anti-aircraft missile and artillery complex "Kortik" can be equipped with one or two command modules containing a radar station and a digital control system. For a small ship, one combat module with missiles and cannons is intended, and for a large destroyer or 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 makes it possible to navigate weapons horizontally. The upper part of the module is equipped with radar and opto-electronic stations, responsible for aiming at the target. The side 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 armament.
• A special system responsible for storing and recharging naval weapons. This system is a container in which combat modules are raised and placed in a cellar.

In order to protect rockets from powder gases on gun barrels, special cylindrical casings are available. In ZRACK "Dirk" is used a screwless feedless shells. The complex is fully automated.

Tactical and technical characteristics

• ZRAC "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-tracking channel is within two to three meters.
• "Dagger" 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, which practically does not differ from its basic version - "Kortika". The only difference is that the Kortik 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 to protect ships and stationary objects from enemy anti-ship high-frequency missiles. This ZRAC is very effective for firing at small-scale sea and land targets.