A drone storm won't let go of a sparrow
I was allowed to drive the latest modification of the Tor-M2U anti-aircraft missile system – under the control of an experienced officer, of course. And learn the secrets of training anti-aircraft gunners.
Domestic air defense systems have always been considered some of the best in the world. And the latest modification of “Thor” is direct evidence of this. The MK correspondent managed to inspect the training of anti-aircraft gunners from the inside and talk to them.
Correspondent “MK” in front of the anti-aircraft missile system.
Thor is a Thunderer
If you enter only “Thor” into your browser's search box, then “Thor the Thunderer” will be the first to offer you. In Scandinavian mythology, he is the chief protector of all gods and people from evil. The most powerful giants and wild monsters can't resist Thor.
Of course, this is not about a tactical anti-aircraft missile system (SAM). Although there is no denying that the names of our military equipment hide the answers to many questions.
So the same thing – what is a “drone storm” and why was it nicknamed like that?
Tor-M2 is a representative of a new generation of short-range air defense systems. Designed to cover important administrative, economic and military facilities against attacks by missiles, remote-controlled aircraft, air bombs, aircraft and helicopters. Including those made using stealth technology. This means “invisible” with a low radar signature. The “Tor” system itself simultaneously controls the designated airspace and independently captures all air targets that the “friend or foe” system did not recognize.
MC Help: “They differ in increased efficiency repelling massive air raids of modern air attack weapons in conditions of fire and electronic countermeasures. The anti-aircraft missile system can operate both in manual mode, with the participation of operators, and in fully automatic mode, which simultaneously monitors up to 24 air targets, “- states in the materials of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.
Tor-M2 is the only air defense system in the world that is able to fire on the fly. This will allow you to cover the transferred units from air strikes.
In order to get to know this technique better, I was allowed to visit the training ground of the Kantemirovskaya tank division near Moscow, where tactical and special exercises with Tor complexes were planned. According to the scenario, the combat crews were to march as part of a mechanized pole to the designated area. During the march, the soldiers had to work out measures to repel the sabotage groups of the conditioned enemy and repel the air strike during the raids.
– No. The devices recognize even the smallest object.
– The system recognizes that it is a bird. This technology is smart.
– Of course not. The decision is made by the person. Inside is a trained calculation. They control everything. They see the target, then – they capture, accompany and only press a button on command.
– Driver mechanic, crew leader and operator.
– Four combat vehicles of the “Tor” system and in front is the command post of the battery. There, as you probably already understand from the name, is the battery commander, who controls everything.
The lieutenant colonel said that both conscripts and professional soldiers were on duty. During military service, young people are constantly trained. Many conscripts are so dependent that they continue to serve – already on the basis of a contract.
– There are enough people who want to sign a contract, – shared it Zakri Khazhbikarovich.
– I think attention. To do this, we have regular courses that are held.
– Convenient. And there's plenty of room to shake, “the policeman assured me. – You can see that later.
The lieutenant colonel also said that hours like today are held daily. Every day, one of the batteries develops the necessary skills. Repairmen – not involved – are busy with something else. Fire, tactical and special training. No one is sitting idle. Great attention is also paid to the physical education of fighters. Daily training is mandatory, including hand-to-hand combat.
Military equipment appeared on the hill. Behind him, the “Thors” column passed through the designated area and stopped right next to us. The repairmen dismounted. Then there was the battle. As planned, the battery was to repel the attack of a sabotage group armed with machine guns.
“You're lying on the ground shooting from behind a hill,” one of the officers gave the order to a pseudo-saboteur dressed in civilian clothes.
The roar of automatic missiles shook the air briefly. time. The battle ended, the enemies were destroyed.
One target – one rocket
– Will you go inside? – the lieutenant asked me and pointed to the equipment.
– Of course, – I agreed without hesitation.
My “Thor” (let me call it that for a moment) went first, just behind the battery commander's combat vehicle. It was really quite spacious, as Lieutenant Colonel Lyanov had promised. And even though I was the fourth person and there were only three in the carriage, there was enough space for everyone. The unevenness of the road was almost not felt. The soft ride added many advantages to “Thor” compared to my favorite tanks. The policeman also said that Thor is deservedly called the most efficient complex in the world. If it was previously guaranteed that two bullets would hit the target, now “one target – one bullet”.
“Get behind the wheel,” suggested the deputy commander of the battery, Lieutenant David Khachaturian.
How could such an offer be rejected? Without hesitation, I immediately boarded the driver's seat.
A short on-the-spot briefing on safety, a question of my driving experience – and you're off!
Of the obvious advantages, at least for myself, I noticed that there were only two pedals: “accelerator” and “brake”. This significantly minimized the risk of embarrassment and it was not even possible to get in the way. David explained how and where to print. Theoretically, it sounded difficult at all – no more complicated than a regular car.
– Don't worry. It develops off-road with low speed – 30 kilometers per hour. And so, of course, he accelerates to 70, – the lieutenant encouraged me.
In fact, the speed of the turtle for a normal car in “Thor” seems to have been perceived differently. I can't say it was scary, but I had no desire to “turn on the gas.” Of course, the policeman carefully monitored all my actions and corrected them in time. So not a single Thor was injured during the experiment.
– What happens if the battery loses its command post? – I'm interested in the unit commander standing nearby, Lieutenant Denis Fleganov. – Can the battery handle the task on its own?
– It can. It will then be taken over by the Deputy Commander, who is in the first vehicle. Gives instructions to others through radio communication. Even if one vehicle remains, the complex will still be able to perform its tasks.
– Ammunition of the complex includes 16 9M338K missiles.
– Water. If the level is higher than the track. This technique cannot swim. But the enemy fire lasts: the armor is strong enough.
– Don't come to practice, – the officer laughed …
The Tor anti-aircraft missile system underwent a successful baptism of fire in Syria and covered the Russian base Khmeimim. On his behalf – dozens of shot down drones launched by gunmen towards the base. None of them broke through.