| 53T6 (ABM-3 Gazelle) | |
|---|---|
| Type | Short-range strategic SAM |
| Place of origin | Soviet Union |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1995 — |
| Used by | Russia |
| Wars | Cold War |
| Production history | |
| Designer | NPO Novator Design Bureau |
| Designed | 1978 [1] |
| Produced | 1988 [1] |
| Number 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.
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The Gazelle missile system is supported the Don-2N Pill Box early warning radar with a range of 6000 km, and the Hen House early warning radar in the VHF band also with a range 6000 km. Closer in to the Gazelle site is the Daryal early warning radar with a range of 5000 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]