The S-300VM "Antey-2500" (NATO reporting name

NATO reporting name

NATO reporting names are classified code names for military equipment of the Eastern Bloc...

 SA-23 Gladiator\Giant) is a new Russia

Russia

Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...

n anti-ballistic missile

Anti-ballistic missile

An anti-ballistic missile is a missile designed to counter ballistic missiles .A ballistic missile is used to deliver nuclear, chemical, biological or conventional warheads in a ballistic flight trajectory. The term "anti-ballistic missile" describes any antimissile system designed to counter...

 system.

It is designed to defeat short-

Short-range ballistic missile

A short-range ballistic missile is a ballistic missile with a range of about 1,000 km or less. They are usually capable of carrying nuclear weapons. In potential regional conflicts, these missiles would be used because of the short distances between some countries and their relative low cost...

 and medium-range ballistic missile

Medium-range ballistic missile

A medium-range ballistic missile , is a type of ballistic missile with medium range, this last classification depending on the standards of certain organizations. Within the U.S. Department of Defense, a medium range missile is defined by having a maximum range of between 1,000 and 3,000 km1...

s with a launch range of up to 2,500 km, aeroballistic and cruise missile

Cruise missile

A cruise missile is a guided missile that carries an explosive payload and is propelled, usually by a jet engine, towards a land-based or sea-based target. Cruise missiles are designed to deliver a large warhead over long distances with high accuracy...

s, strategic and tactical aircraft, as well as loitering ECM

Electronic countermeasures

An electronic countermeasure is an electrical or electronic device designed to trick or deceive radar, sonar or other detection systems, like infrared or lasers. It may be used both offensively and defensively to deny targeting information to an enemy...

 platforms and highprecision weapon systems in multiple air threat conditions, a complex air situation and severe ECM environment. In 2011, the Russian army will receive an improved version called S-300V4, reportedly based on S-300VM system.

Missile

The 9M82M missile is intended to defeat tactical, theater and medium range ballistic missiles, as well as aerodynamic targets at a range of up to 200 km. The Antey-2500 system is mounted on tracked cross-country vehicles provided with self-contained power supply and navigation systems, surveying and positioning equipment. The missile is controlled throughout the entire flight trajectory.

System Characteristics

The Antey-2500 air defense missile system features:

• high degree of battle performance automation owing to high-speed digital computers;
• phased array
  Phased array
  In wave theory, a phased array is an array of antennas in which the relative phases of the respective signals feeding the antennas are varied in such a way that the effective radiation pattern of the array is reinforced in a desired direction and suppressed in undesired directions.An antenna array...
  
   radars;
• advanced radar data processing methods;
• high ECM
  Electronic countermeasures
  An electronic countermeasure is an electrical or electronic device designed to trick or deceive radar, sonar or other detection systems, like infrared or lasers. It may be used both offensively and defensively to deny targeting information to an enemy...
  
   immunity;
• high ability of autonomous operation;
• high mobility;
• high fire power potential, irrespective of air attack tactics or sequence;
• vertical launch from a special transport launch canister;
• maintenance-free operation of missiles for at least ten years;
• capability to defeat ballistic missile individual warheads flying at speeds of up to 4,500 m/s;
• inertial guidance with radio command update and semiactive homing at the terminal phase;
• focused detonation of the missile warhead.

The Antey-2500 system comprises:

• command post;
• circular scan radar;
• sector scan radar;
• multichannel missile guidance station (MMGS) (4);
• 9A83M launcher (24);
• 9A84M loader-launcher (24);
• 9M82M air defense missiles;
• 9M83M air defense missiles;
• maintenance vehicles;
• maintenance and repair vehicles;
• group SPTA set;
• electronic trainer for MMGS operators;
• transporter vehicles;
• set of missiles handling equipment.

External links

S-300VM "Antey-2500" (SA-12 Giant/Gladiator) at the Vestnik PVO website