S-125M Pechora CC

S-125M PECHORA CC [SA-3 GOA]

The Pechora CC is a two-stage, solid-fuel, low to medium-altitude SAM. Two ready-to-fire missiles travel in tandem on a modified truck or tracked vehicle from which the missile crew loads the missiles onto a ground-mounted, trainable launcher for firing. Both twin and quadruple launchers are in use. The Pechora CC has a large 2.6 sec burn jettisonable solid-fuel Isayev OKB booster section fitted with rectangular fins that rotate through 90º at launch. The smaller missile body has an 18.7 sec burn solid fuel sustained rocket and is fitted with 4 fixed fins aft and 4 movable control surfaces forward. After the booster jettison, the second stage is captured in the radar beam and guidance signals are sent via antenna on the rear fins to place the missile on an intercept trajectory. The initial version (SA-3a) appeared in 1961, with the guidance being commanded throughout the flight, while in the definitive version introduced into service in 1964 (SA-3b), the guidance had been improved. The long-range early warning and target acquisition is usually handled by a van-mounted P-15 radar.

IAF Pechora SAMs, on a launcher, in ready-to-fire mode
[Copyright: Touching the Sky, Wing Cdr. S. Narayanan]

However many SA-3 battalions have the the P-15M radar which have the same performance, but it's antenna is mounted on a 20-30 meter mast to improve low altitude coverage. It also has a PRV-11 radar with a 180 km range and 32,000 meter altitude E-band height finder. All target data generated is passed onto the SA-3 battalion's organic trailer mounted fire control LOW BLOW radar. Maximum acquisition range is 110km and tracking range of the I-band system is between 40-85 km depending on the target size, altitude and operational conditions. The radar can track six aircraft simultaneously and guide 1 or 2 missiles at once. For operating in a heavy ECM environment, a late production radar was fitted with 25km range TV cameras to give the fire control team the same data as from the emitting radar and allowing a command guidance interception to be performed.

Pechora SAMs, on Indian Air Force Day - October 8th
[Image Copyright: EPA/PA News]

If the missile fails to intercept, another signal is sent to either change the trajectory or self-destruct. The trainable launchers are ground-mounted but can be relocated. The SA-3 is normally transported in pairs from battalion storage areas on modified 6x6 trucks and loaded onto the launchers with the aid of a conveyor. It only takes a single minute to load the missiles onto the rails, but the duration between missile launches is about 50 minutes due to missile preparation, truck transit and other reloading procedures. The missile's ability to dive also allows it to be used against surface targets and naval vessels.