9M82
NATO: SA-12B Giant | SA-23B Giant
Overview
9M82
A 9M82 missile on display outside of its launch container at an airshow .
Source: en.missilery.info -
© Copyright lies with original owner
Russia
SA-23B Giant (NATO reporting name for 9M82M)
Russia
Egypt
Venezuela
Description
Introduction
The 9M82 is a late Cold War era surface to air missile of Soviet origin. It is a high performance missile used with the S-300V surface to air missile system. The 9M82 is the larger of the two missile sizes used with the S-300V and is known in the West as the SA-12B Giant. The improved 9M82M is known as SA-23B Giant.
Design
The 9M82 is a surface to air missile of a rather unique design. It is a high speed two stage missile using thrust vectoring. The upper stage is identical to the 9M83. The conical booster stage is three time heavier than on the 9M83, increasing both length and diameter of the missile. As such the capacity on the launch vehicles is reduced from four missiles to two. The 9M82 is carried and launched from its transport container. Upon launch a gas generator propels the missile from the launch tube. While suspended in the air the main engine kicks in and four vanes within the nozzle steer the missile in the target's direction. The second stage of the missile has eight tailfins and houses the homing system and warhead in the nose.
Guidance
The 9M82 uses inertial navigation upon launch. The launch vehicle provides mid course updates via datalink. Once the missile reaches the target airspace the semi-active radar homing head is activated. The target is illuminated by the fire control radar on the launch vehicle. A radio command fuse sets off the warhead. In case of the 9M82 missile the radar on the launch vehicle is located closer to the ground than seen with the smaller 9M83 which is also used against low flying targets.
Firepower
The 9M82 has a maximum effective range of 100 km against aircraft and 40 km against ballistic missiles. The range against aircraft is doubled to 200 km on the improved 9M82M. The 9M82 is intended for high altitude targets and maximum altitude is quoted as 30 km. There is a 1 km minimum engagement altitude that is covered by the smaller 9M83 missile. The 9M82 and 9M82M are a two stage missiles with maximum flight speeds of 1.850 and 2.600 m/s respectively. As with all air defense missiles effective range and speed are highly dependent on target parameters and chosen flight path for interception.
Launch platforms
The 9M82 is used with the S-300V and S-300VM surface to air missile systems. The S-300V is built to keep up with army formations and is based on large tracked vehicles. The launch vehicles and transloaders both have two missiles ready to launch. The launch vehicle has a target illumination radar while the transloader is fitted with a crane. Unlike many other Soviet surface to air missiles there is no naval equivalent using this missile.
Users
The S-300V was acquired by the Soviet Union to accompany and protect larger army formations. The S-300V was introduced in 1983 and at first only had the 9M83 missile ready for launch, before the larger 9M82 became operational in 1988. S-300V was only in service with the Soviet Union and it seems all batteries with 9M82 missiles ended up in Russia. S-300VM was also acquired by Egypt and Venezuela.
Details
Variants
9M82
9M82M missiles in their launch tubes seen on the left. Alongside four 9M83 missiles on the right.
Source: Vitaly V. Kuzmin -
© CC BY-SA 4.0
List of 9M82 missile variants
Media
9M82ME
Two 9M82ME (NATO: SA-23B Giant) surface to air missiles in service with Venezuala as seen on parade in 2014.
Source: Cancillería del Ecuador
Copyright: CC BY-SA 2.0
9M82
Two 9M82 missiles in their launch containers on a 9A82 launch vehicle with fire control radar, as seen in service with Russia in 2012.
Source: Vitaly V. Kuzmin
Copyright: CC BY-SA 4.0
9M82 line diagram
Line diagram of 9M82 missile (top) with a good size comparison to the 9M83 missile (below).
Source: Unknown author
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
9M82
Rear view of a 9M82 missile on display outside of its launch container at an airshow.
Source: en.missilery.info
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
9M82ME
A 9Ya238 launch cannister for the 9M82ME missile on display at an airshow in 2011. Note the plexiglass covers to show the missile inside on this display model.
Source: Vitaly V. Kuzmin
Copyright: CC BY-SA 4.0
