04-OCT-1957: Sputnik

wrote:

According to the text, it's a 9M311 (SA-19)SAM of the Tunguska
antiaircraft complex. The text speculates that the windows/lenses
are associated with a thermal [IR] homing system, but that
doesn't fit with what is known about the missile. Instead, as
Henry suggested, they seem to be part of a laser proximity fuse:

http://warfare.ru/?catid=264&linkid=1693 says

"As compared to the 9M311 air defense missile, the 9M311-1M is
noted for:

"- installation of a radar proximity target sensor in place of
the 8-beam laser one;"



In this case though the finned fuze assembly seems to be housed inside
of an aerodynamic fairing, and the long missile body of the same
diameter as the fuze (second stage) doesn't seem to be attached between
the fuze assembly and the booster. Fuze test vehicle?

Pat

Pat Flannery wrote:

In this case though the finned fuze assembly seems to be housed inside
of an aerodynamic fairing, and the long missile body of the same
diameter as the fuze (second stage) doesn't seem to be attached between
the fuze assembly and the booster. Fuze test vehicle?

Well, it's hard to be sure since the picture is a little difficult
to decipher. But my guess is that we're seeing a launch canister
containing a solid booster (with a yellow fuel grain), an
unpowered but maneuverable forward section with the fins and
windows and pointy nose, and a sabot supporting the assembly
in the tube roughly at the joint between booster and forward
section. Apparently the rear part is supported in the tube by
folding fins, which can be seen unfolding in the video of a
launch at http://www.military.cz/rolls/popis.htm

Looking at pictures of 9M311, it appears to come in 1- and
2-stage versions for ground forces and naval use, respectively;
if the picture shows a 9M311 at all, it would obviously be the
1-stage variant. Details about the 9M311 are somewhat hard
to come by, so if anybody can point to better sources, it
would be appreciated -- it seems to have been quite an
innovative and interesting design.

(I think the big gray thing in the background in the picture is a
separate display.)

wrote:



Well, it's hard to be sure since the picture is a little difficult
to decipher. But my guess is that we're seeing a launch canister
containing a solid booster (with a yellow fuel grain), an
unpowered but maneuverable forward section with the fins and
windows and pointy nose, and a sabot supporting the assembly
in the tube roughly at the joint between booster and forward
section. Apparently the rear part is supported in the tube by
folding fins, which can be seen unfolding in the video of a
launch at http://www.military.cz/rolls/popis.htm


Looking at the picture again, I'd sat it shows the upper part of the
missile (the small diameter second stage) centered inside of a large
diameter launch tube; I don't think the finned front part detaches; it
just looks separate due to the fact it has a four section sabot assembly
directly behind its fins. The large diameter of the launch tube houses
the first stage with its folding fins, the second stage's rear fins fold
at around their half-span point to fit into the tube:
http://www.army-technology.com/proje.../tunguska6.jpg
The launch photo seems to indicate that the Tunguska fires the two-stage
missile:
http://www.army-technology.com/proje.../tunguska8.jpg
as you can see the second stage's fins around halfway up the missile.
The cutaway picture apparently doesn't show the first stage, even though
it's there.

Looking at pictures of 9M311, it appears to come in 1- and
2-stage versions for ground forces and naval use, respectively;
if the picture shows a 9M311 at all, it would obviously be the
1-stage variant. Details about the 9M311 are somewhat hard
to come by, so if anybody can point to better sources, it
would be appreciated -- it seems to have been quite an
innovative and interesting design.

(I think the big gray thing in the background in the picture is a
separate display.)


It appears to be some sort of a two-stage missile, but I haven't been
able to track it down yet, although it looks familiar.
Given the gray coloration, it might be a navy system.
Here's another oddity: http://www.aviapress.com/book/avc/avc001/avc001.jpg
Whatever this is, it's something that Myasishchev designed.

Pat

wrote:

Apparently the rear part is supported in the tube by
folding fins, which can be seen unfolding in the video of a
launch at http://www.military.cz/rolls/popis.htm


Notice anything odd about that video, BTW?
Like the fact that the Tunguska is shooting down a QF-102 Delta Dagger
target drone?
They spliced their film onto film of a American SAM test.

Pat