Buk missile system
The 9K38 "Buk-M1-2" (Russian Бук - beech, NATO reporting name SA-17 "Grizzly") is the continuation of the series of Russian surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) which started with the 3M9 "Kub" (SA-6 Gainful) and 9K37 "Buk" SA-11 Gadfly. It was completed in 1995 and introduced in 1998 and utilises at least two kinds of missiles, the 9M38M1 or later 9M317.
Possibly the biggest change from the 9K37 system is the fact that the 9S18M1 "Snow Drift" surveillance radar is mounted on the TELAR, making each launcher more independent and allowing more targets to be tracked in different locations at the same time. Range, altitude and target engagement have improved as well. Range is reported as being up to 50 km (31 miles), maximum altitude around 25 km (82,000ft) and maximum target speed around Mach 4. The weight of the missiles has increased slightly to 720 kg (1587 lb).
For a comparison of the related systems, see 9K37.
Versions
- The naval version of the 9K38 system has a NATO reporting name of SA-N-12. It is installed on Ulyanovsk-class nuclear aircraft carriers.
- The HQ-16 (Hongqi-16) is a joint PROC/Russian project to upgrade the 9K38 system even further.
- The export version of the 9K38 system is called "Ural" (Russian Урал - Urals)
References
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