SA-11/SA-17 battalion by Alex Kontz

SA-11/SA-17 BATTALION OVERVIEW

The Buk familiy SAMs are army level medium-range, semi-active, radar-guided missiles using solid-
rocket propulsion that provides defense with multipurpose firing asset. Beside air targets, like aircrafts
and cruise missiles, it is capable of engaging overland and waterborne radar and TV contrast targets. The
unique feature of the Buk system and all its versions is that a combat mission can be executed by an
individual firing unit. This quality ensures the surprise of air target engagement from ambushes and the
independent change of firing positions, which substantially increases survivability of the system.
Development of the 9K37 “Buk” was started on the January 17, 1972. It was intended to surpass the
predecessor 2K12 “Kub” in all parameters. Both the Kub and Buk used self-propelled launchers, but
each Buk transporter erector launcher (TEL) should have its own fire control radar rather than being
reliant on one central radar for the whole system as in Kub. The result of this move from TEL to transporter
erector launcher and radar (TELAR) was a system able to engage multiple targets from multiple directions
at the same time. In 1979 the 9K37 “Buk” entered into service and further development started immediately.
The modernisation improved the performance of the systems radars, kill probability and resistance to
electronic countermeasures. It was 9K37M1 “Buk-M1”, adopted into service in 1983. The export version
of Buk-M1 missile system is known as “Gang” (English “Ganges”). The name reflected who was main
initiator for “Buk-M1” modernisation: India. India stay biggest operator of Buk SAM after Russia,
delivered more than 50 batteries “Buk-M1”. NATO reporting name for both systems was same: “Gadfly”,
US designation SA-11.
The SA-11 represents a considerable improvement over the earlier SA-6 “Gainful” system, and can
engage six separate targets simultaneously, rather than the single target capability of the SA-6. Single-
shot kill probability are claimed to be 60-90% against aircraft, 30-70% against helicopters, and 40%
against cruise missiles, a significant improvement over the SA-6. The system is more mobile, taking
only about 5 minutes to move from road march to engagement.
Next modification “Buk-M1-2” started in 1992 and new system was accepted into service in 1998.
This modification introduced a new missile, allowed the system to intercept ballistic missiles and surface
targets. The 9K37M1-2 “Buk-M1-2” also received a new NATO reporting name distinguishing it from
previous generations of the Buk system, this new reporting name was the SA-17 “Grizzly”. This variant
was intented to expand the target set further, to encompass strategic and tactical aircraft, helicopters in
hover, cruise missiles, tactical ballistic missiles, air to surface missiles, precision-guided munitions,
maritime surface targets, and high value ground targets. The latter was to include parked aircraft on
airfields, missile launchers and command posts.
The most recent variant of this family of weapons is the 9K317 “Buk-M2”, introduced in 2008. This
variant incorporates some of the most prominent design changes to date. A new 8 round 9A316 TEL/
Transloader has been introduced. The new fully autonomous 9A317 TELAR is equipped with a 9S36
passive phased array antenna equipped radar, replacing the mechanically steered antenna in earlier 9S35
equipped TELARs. This is intended to provide the capability to concurrently engage four targets with a
single TELAR, and improve countermeasures resistance. NATO codename for this SAM is still SA-17
“Grizzly”, and it may be confused with the previous M1-2, although the M2 is totally different system.

SA-11/SA-17 BATTALION STRUCTURE

A standard Buk battalion consists of a command vehicle, target acquisition radar, six transporter erector
launcher and radar and three transporter erector launcher reloads. A Buk missile battery consists of two
TELAR and TEL vehicle. The 9K37 SA-11 Gadfly utilises the 9S18 or 9S18M1 (NATO codename
“Snow Drift”) target acquisition radar in combination with the 9S35 or 9S35M1 “Fire Dome” H/I band
tracking and engagement radar which is mounted on each TELAR. The Snow Drift target acquisition radar
has a maximum detection range of 85 km and can detect an aircraft flying at 100 m from 35 km away and
even lower flying targets at ranges of around 10-20 km . Snow Drift is mounted on a chassis similar to that
of the TELAR, as is the command vehicle. The control post which coordinates communications between
the surveillance radar(s) and the launchers is able to communicate with up to six TELs at once. The reload
vehicle 9A39M1 for the Buk battery resembles the 9K37 SA-11 Gadfly but instead of a radar they have
a crane for loading missiles. They are capable of launching missiles directly but require the cooperation of
a Fire Dome-equipped TELAR for missile guidance.A reload vehicle can transfer its missiles to a TELAR
in around 13 minutes and can reload itself from stores in around 15 minutes.
See satellite map below for reference

COMMAND POST
The 9S470M1 is an autonomous complex incorporating automatic control and communications
equipment, as well as power supply and life support systems mounted on the GM 5965 tracked vehicle
 chassis. The 9S470M1 provides for:
- automatic reception, processing, identification
and display of radar data from six sources: a higher-
level command post (MP22R or 9C737M systems);
a radar station (P19, Kupol or their versions) or a
helicopter-borne radar early warning system; and four
ADM system (Tor-M1) combat vehicles;
- automatic target distribution, targeting or fire
interdiction; - automatic reception of targeting data
from a higher-level command post and target
distribution;
- automatic reception of data fromADM systems,
its processing and indication on a situation display
(position and readiness for fire) and an automatic
transmission of these data to a higher-level command
post;
- formulation and reporting to a higher-level
command post on received targeting data and taken measures, as well as independently selected targets
and engagement results;
- recording the status and combat operations of ADM systems and battery command post;
- determination of accurate position and time by GLONASS and Navstar GPS satellite navigation
systems.
Maximum number of target tracks up to 60, target signatures 170. Number of target tracks from each
ADM combat vehicle up to 9. Number of displayed ground objects up to 15. The 9S470M1 has
communication range up to 30 km. A crew consist of 5 men.
Model statistics: number of polygons - 187,877 price - $100

SNOW DRIFT
The 9S18M1 “Kupol-M1” (NATO codename “Snow Drift”) early warning and acquisition radar
provides target height, bearing and range data. This is a centimetric all altitude 3-D radar, which has a
detection range of 160 km against high-flying targets, 45 km against targets at an altitude of 100 meters,
and 23 km against targets flying nap-of-the-earth (NOE). The radar’s tracking range extending from 80
km for high-flying targets to 20 km for NOE targets. Tracking of helicopters hovering at 30 m can be made
as far as 10 km. Once a target is identified it is turned
over to an TELAR via a data link for tracking and
attack. The “Snow Drift” receives early warning from
brigade-level surveillance radars such as the Spoon
Rest. The radar is mounted on GM-567 cross-
country cassis and has its own 75 Kw gas turbine
driven generator, although also can use industrial
supply via convertor. Time of continuous operation
for the “Snow Drift” consist of 48 hours. A crew
consist of 3 men.

Model statistics: number of polygons - 231,313

price - 140
 SA-11 TELAR
The SA-11 TELAR is a tracked chassis that carries a
radar and a launcher with four missiles.The arrangement
of the radar and the missile launcher on one rigid platform
allows their simultaneous laying in azimuth and elevation
with the aid of an electrohydraulic drive.The 9A310M1-
2 (SA-17) also comprises a digital computer system, a
TV optical sight, a laser range finder, navigation and
communications equipment, an IFF interrogator, a built-
in simulator and documentation equipment. During
combat operation, the 9A310 detects a target, determines
its IFF status, automatically tracks the target and identifies
its type, computes the flight mission and launch
assignment, launches a missile, transmits radio correction
commands to the missile and evaluates the firing results.
The launcher can engage targets as part of an air defense
missile complex with target designation data transmitted
from the command post or independently within an assigned sector of responsibility. Targets can be engaged by
missiles launched from theTELAR or from an attachedTELL. All versions of “Buk” TELAR earlier the M2 look
similar, there are no differences can be viewed by the eye. So you can use the model as like the SA-11, as the SA-17.
Note about asset: it contain two hierarchically linked models of the TELAR in stowed and deployed
positions. This help understand, how the model should be looked in these positions.
Model statistics: number of polygons - 227,578 price - $140

SA-17 TELAR
The 9A317 “Buk-M2” was developed and produced as the evolutionary replacement system for the “Buk-
M1-2” and is similar in concept to that system. This variant incorporates some of the most prominent design
changes to date. The new fully autonomous 9A317 TELAR is equipped with a 9S36 passive phased array
antenna equipped radar, replacing the mechanically steered antenna in earlier 9S35 equipped TELARs. The
system completed development in 1990 and has not yet entered full series production, although it was formally
accepted into service during 1995. Instead the “Buk-M2” was entered full service with the Russian Army in
2008, once further testing is complete. Reports emanating from Moscow in September 2010, suggested that
the “Buk-M2” was successfully deployed to the Astrakhan Proving Grounds where test firings took place
againstvarious targets, including cruise missiles. Five
targets were engaged and destroyed by the upgraded
system that also boasts increased range plus the ability
to lock onto as many as 24 incoming targets, as opposed
to six with previous batteries. The “Buk-M2” is
designed to engage strategic and tactical aircraft, tactical
ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, tactical air-launched
missiles, helicopters (including hovering targets), and
RPV’s at extremely low levels (around 10 m) up to
25,000 m altitude for a distance 3 - 45 km.
Note about asset: it contain two hierarchically linked
models of the TELAR in stowed and deployed
positions.This help understand, how the model should
be looked in these positions.
Model statistics: number of polygons - 235,530
price - $140
 SA-11/SA-17 TELL
The 9A316 transporter erector launcher loader (TELL)
resembles the normalTELAR, but replaces the fire control
radarwithahydrauliccraneforreloadingmissiles.TheTELL
can load itself in rear areas from the 9T229 transporter in 15
minutes, and take those missiles to reload theTELAR in 13
minutes.TheTELLcan launch missiles, though it requires
radar guidance from a nearby TELAR. The 9A316 was
introduced as part of the newest “Buk-M2” system, but
can be used in all previous systems from the “Buk” family.
Note about asset: it contain two hierarchically
linked models of the TELL in stowed and deployed
positions. This help understand, how the model
should be looked in these positions.
Model statistics: number of polygons - 274,148
price - $140

FIRE DOME
The most interesting component of the newest
“Buk-M2” system is the standalone mast mounted
9S36 phased array, designed to provide extended
low altitude and surface coverage, in air defence but
also maritime coastal defence applications. This design
uses a 21 metre telescoping and elevating mast which
mounts a radar head with the 9S36. Each mast
mounted 9S36 engagement radar controls a pair of
9A316 TELL. The 9S36 can track 4 targets
simultaneously and has detection range 100 km.

Model statistics: number of polygons - 211,032

price - $120

TELL RELOADING
This scene represent TELL reloading process.
It contain a model of SA-11/SA-17 TELL loaded
by Ural-375 mobile crane from 9T229 missile
transporter. The missile transporter is loaded with
4 sealed missile containers.

Model statistics: number of polygons - 667,830

price - $250
Summary price: $1030 $650!

If you have any questions or comments, please, contact author by e-mail: alex_kontz@mail.ru

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