Metel Anti-Ship Complex

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Two SS-N-14 launchers aboard an Udaloy class destroyer.
Two SS-N-14 launchers aboard an Udaloy class destroyer.

Metel Anti-Ship Complex (Russian: противолодочный комплекс «Метель»; "Metel" is "snowstorm" in English) is a Russian anti-submarine missile complex, alternatively known as RPK-3 Metel (also the URPK-3, URPK-4, URPK-5 variants). Its NATO reporting name SS-N-14 Silex. The missile carries an underslung anti-submarine torpedo which it drops immediately above the suspected position of a submarine. The torpedo then proceeds to search and then home in on the submarine. The missile has been in operational service since 1968, although it is no longer produced. 100 missiles are estimated to remain in service as of 2006. It was superseded by the SS-N-15.

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[edit] Description

The missile used is based on the P-120 Malakhit (NATO: SS-N-9) anti-shipping missile. The missile itself is radio command guided and is powered by a solid fuel rocket motor. Later models of the weapon were "universal" carrying a smaller torpedo, but with a 185 kg shaped charge warhead for use against ships. The "universal" missiles were deployed alongside the anti-submarine versions of the missile. In anti-submarine mode the missile flew at approximately 400 meters altitude, and where it was over the estimated position of the target submarine the missile was commanded to release the torpedo or depth charge. In anti-shipping mode the missile flies much lower, at approximately 15 meters.

[edit] Specifications

  • Target engagement depth: 20 to 500 m
  • Range: 5 km to 50 km (versus submarine with helicopter guidance)
  • Range: 10 km to 50 km (versus ship)
  • Speed: Mach 0.95 (290 m/s)
  • Weight: 3930 kg
  • Length (85R missile): 7.2 m
  • Payload: Various ASW torpedo or nuclear depth charge or ASW torpedo and 185 kg shaped charge warhead.

[edit] Variants

  • 60R - Original version armed with 5kt nuclear depth charge
  • 70R - Original version armed with AT-2U ASW torpedo
  • 83RU/UPRK-3 Metel - Cruiser version of the missile using the guidance system from the SA-N-3 missile and the KT-106 launcher. Uses AT-1 torpedo (EA-45-70A)
  • 84RU/UPRK-4 Metel, KT-106U launcher, used on Udaloy class frigates. Entered service 1973. Uses AT-2 (AT-2UM) torpedo (E53-72), which has either 100 kg HE warhead or possibly a 5 kT nuclear warhead.
  • 85RU/URK-5 Rastrub-A, KT-100U launcher. Entered service 1975. Carries either AT-2 (APR-2E ?) (E53-72) or UGMT-1 torpedo (E45-75A) and an additional anti-shipping warhead of 185 kg.
    • 85RUS/URK-5 Nuclear tipped version of the missile.

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  • Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapon Systems 1997 to 1998
  • Jane's Underwater Warfare Systems 2006-2007