53T6
53T6 (ABM-3 Gazelle) | |
---|---|
Type | Short-range strategic SAM |
Place of origin | Soviet Union |
Service history | |
In service | Since 1995 |
Used by | Russia |
Wars | Cold War |
Production history | |
Designer | NPO Novator Design Bureau |
Designed | 1978[1] |
Produced | 1988[1] |
No. built | 68[1] |
53T6 (NATO reporting name: ABM-3 Gazelle, previously SH-08)[1] is a Russian anti-ballistic missile based upon the A-135 anti-ballistic missile system. It was designed in early 1980s and put in service in 1995.[2]
The missile is able to intercept incoming re-entry vehicles at a distance of up to 80–100 km. 53T6 is a two-staged solid-propellant missile armed with 10 kt nuclear warhead. The missile is about 10 meters in length and 1 meter in diameter. Its launch weight is 10 tons.[1][3]
The 53T6 missile is kept in silo-based launch container. Prior to launch its cover is blown off. It takes the missile 3 seconds to reach a speed of 5.5 km/s at more than 100g acceleration. After 2 more seconds the missile reaches its combat height of 30 km.
It was last tested in October 2009.[4] The Gazelle is a follow-on development of the ABM-1 Galosh.
Radar support
The Gazelle missile system is supported the Don-2N Pill Box early warning radar with a range of 6,000 km, and the Hen House early warning radar in the VHF band also with a range 6,000 km. Closer in to the Gazelle site is the Daryal early warning radar with a range of 5,000 km, and the Dunai early warning radar in th VHF band. Finally, the Try Add target tracking radar has a range of 750 km.[2]