"Point-U" (setting): characteristics, radius of damage, photo

The mid-sixties was marked by a real boom in rocket engineering, and often rockets were introduced even into those areas that were traditionally occupied by conventional barrel artillery. Particularly distinguished in this field is Nikita Khrushchev. However, there were in this innovation and their bright side. For example, it was during this period that the USSR laid a solid scientific base for the development of a huge number of missile systems.

To such is the "Tochka-U": this installation was much superior to all its foreign counterparts (and at first there were none at all). We will tell you the history of the creation of this weapon today.

Prerequisites for creation

Approximately in the mid-1960s, the Ministry of Defense initiated work on a completely new ballistic system with a limited range. For the first time in the history of the domestic weapons complex, the stake was made not on the strength of the combat unit, but on the accuracy of the missile. All previous design work clearly showed that this is the approach that should prevail in a new, changed world. In particular, it was possible to inflict painful blows on enemy territory, without spreading the entire neighborhood to shreds.

I was instructed to develop the ICF "Fakel". The work was not carried out from scratch: the rockets from the M-11 "Storm" complex, which was initially installed exclusively on ships, were used as a basis. The first result was the Yastreb complex. It was assumed that it would use a radio electronic guidance system. Simply put, in this case we would have to "lead" the rocket from the ground, constantly adjusting the accuracy of its flight.

Already in 1965 the "Hawk" became a project "Point". The missile part was abandoned, but the engineers completely reworked the guidance system. So, they completely abandoned the radio electronic circuit, suggesting using a relatively simple inertial option. It was not badly tested and tested on a number of previous Soviet missile systems. But this is not yet the "Point-U". The installation went through a rather complicated path of development, as the developers constantly faced new technical obstacles.

Further work

All the projects of the "Torch" never went beyond the drawings and sketches. Approximately in 1966, all the developments were transferred to the Kolomenskoye Design Bureau, and the project immediately began to supervise S.P. Invincible. However, Kolomna engineers fully agreed with the point of view of their colleagues from the "Torch": indeed, the inertial guidance system will be optimal. In fairness, it should be noted that in the future the project was completely redesigned. In fact, only the name "Tochka-U" remained from him. The installation was significantly improved, its design cheaper.

In general, the active stage of the work started only in 1968. This time the project supported about 120 most diverse scientific and technical enterprises, with which the "Tochka-U" was created. This approach was dictated by the fact that in the shortest time it was required to create not only the rocket itself, but also a mechanical chassis, as well as an installation for launching and a huge amount of electronic "stuffing". A huge contribution was made by Volgograd's Barricades, which created a launcher from scratch, as well as the Bryansk automobile plant, at the facilities of which all the elements of the new chassis were designed and built.

Work on the launcher

In general, initially initially considered two versions of the launcher, with which the ballistic missile "Tochka-U" would start. The first of these was created by engineers from Kolomna, but it was used exclusively in the testing of polygons. In particular, it was this launcher that was demonstrated during the tests of 1971, which took place in Kapustin Yar. Almost immediately, the main role was played by the design developed by the Barricade plant.

The main characteristics of the missile unit

In 1973, the Votkinsk plant in Udmurtia began assembling missiles. At the same time, the first stages of state trials were launched, according to which the "Tochka-U" was adopted. The installation in the troops is more known under the index 9K79.

The basis of the whole complex is a single-stage solid-fuel rocket 9M79. The total length of the ammunition was 6.4 meters, the diameter was 650 mm. To correct the course, grating wheels were used with a span of 1350-1400 mm. The rocket with a combat mass of about two tons starts, of which at least one and a half tons was directly on the missile unit. The remaining 482 kilograms separated the explosive charge and the electronic control system.

Many difficulties were caused by the correct recipe for solid rocket fuel, which was responsible for dispersing the missile and bringing it to the target. In the end, we stopped at the composition, which included rubber, aluminum powder, as well as a large part of ammonium perchlorate. The fuel reserve burned out in about 18-28 seconds. The missile received an inertial pulse, which was enough for a flight of 235 seconds. Because of this, the Tochka-U missile system turned out to be comparatively cheap, since the design used the minimum amount of fuel and explosive.

Characteristics of the guidance system

As part of the complex is a large number of electronic and mechanical equipment, responsible for targeting: command-gyroscopic device, analog calculator course, many speed sensors , etc. The basis of the system was a command-gyroscopic device brand 9B64. He was responsible for stabilizing the platform during the flight. In general, the missile complex "Tochka-U" ensured the missile hit the target at a distance of 50 kilometers and with dispersal no more than 30-40 meters already on tests, which at that time bordered on fantasy.

From all the devices, the data was transferred to the 9B65 computer, which was responsible for the automatic laying of the flight course. It was done quite simply: the device compared the received information with the benchmarks that were put into it at the start, and, if necessary, corrected the flight. As we already mentioned, this was done with the help of trellised rudders, located at the end of the projectile. If at the time of correction the fuel supply has not yet burnt out, gas-dynamic steering wheels have also been used, using the energy of the gases emitted by the burning composition.

This missile system "Tochka-U" also significantly differed from a few of its foreign counterparts, in which the management and correction of the course was many times more complicated.

Other technical solutions

Since the combat and propulsion parts of the complex were inextricably linked throughout the flight, the engineers concentrated on developing a correction system that would begin to work directly when approaching the target. At this stage, the sensitive gyroscope had to hold the projectile at an angle of 80 ° to the horizon line. In general, the ballistic missile "Tochka-U", in spite of its comparative simplicity and cheapness, shows excellent results in accuracy.

The data on the location of the target was entered before the rocket was raised to the vertical position on the launcher. The control equipment and the Argon converter automatically calculated and formed the flight task, after which it was transferred to the rocket.

Very interesting was the method of testing the gyroscopic stabilization system, which was used by the ballistic missile "Tochka-U". In particular, in its design there was a special polyhedral prism connected to the optical system of course recognition. In the shell of the rocket was a small window, the light from which fell on this polyhedron and reflected exactly on the verification equipment.

Works on the creation of a self-propelled chassis

At the first stage, engineers believed that the chassis would be made on the basis of some machine developed at the Kharkov plant. However, after comparing the characteristics of all the proposed samples, a preference was given to a copy created at the Bryansk Automobile Plant. Based on this floating chassis, the 9P129 was created. Strangely enough, according to the documents, the work on the "Tochka-U" complex was supervised by the Volgograd Barricade plant. Serially the same launchers and many other important elements of the chassis in general produced the Petropavlovsk plant.

Technical characteristics of the chassis

The machine was equipped with a diesel engine, which developed power up to 300 horsepower. A powerful engine allowed a fully ready-to-start plant to drive along the highway at speeds up to 60 km / h. Off-road limited the pace of traffic to 10-15 km / h. In case of necessity, the "Tochka-U" complex by its own power could overcome water obstacles, developing at the same speed up to 10 km / h. Since the total mass of the chassis did not exceed 18 tons, it could be transported with almost all military transport aircraft.

The compartment for the rocket was quite original. So, in the front part of it was mounted a massive heat-insulating hood, which reliably protected the warhead of the projectile from exposure to excessively high or too low temperatures. What else is remarkable about "Point-U"? The characteristics of the pre-start preparatory work clearly distinguish it against the background of all other missile systems due to the simplicity and high speed of performing all operations.

Preparation for combat employment, pre-launch work

The standard for the preparation for launch from the course assumed full readiness for 20 minutes maximum. At the same time, the lion's share of the time was spent on ensuring the maximum stability of the chassis itself. All other procedures were performed by trained calculation many times faster. Thus, only the "Point-U" installation (the photo is available in the article) is a real complication.

The transfer of commands to the control system was literally a couple of seconds, raising the launcher to a vertical position took exactly 15 seconds, after which it was immediately possible to launch. The rise of the launchers could reach 78 °. Thus, the "Tochka-U" complex is a formidable weapon, the deployment of which, under favorable conditions, takes less than two minutes.

In the horizontal plane, the guidance mechanic allowed to turn the launcher 15 ° to the right and left relative to the central axis of the self-propelled chassis. When firing at a maximum range of 70 kilometers, the missile flew this distance in just a couple of minutes. During this time, the "Tochka-U" launcher had to be moved to a marching position and began to retreat from the "lighted" position. Recharging the complex took about 19-20 minutes.

Transport-loading machine

What else is included in the "Tochka-U" complex? The characteristics of its missile, if you have not forgotten, assume the weight of the projectile is two tons. So it is impossible to do without a transport-loading machine, which was created on the basis of the chassis of the BAZ-5922. In its body there is a place for two missiles, whose combat parts are covered with a heat-insulating casing. Installation of projectiles on the rails is carried out with the aid of a cargo crane, which is part of the 9T128 design.

In principle, rockets can be stored for a relatively long time in a transport-loading machine, but it is much better to use specially designed metal containers for this purpose. What is the reason for this? If the "Point-U" installation (the photo of which is repeatedly found in the article) was stored in inappropriate conditions, the missile can fly anywhere, but not on purpose.

In order to transport large distances, special machines 9T222 or 9T238 are used, which are practically standard tractors. One such machine can carry two containers / missiles or four warheads. No matter how good the "Point-U", its characteristics began to deteriorate more and more noticeably over time. Of course, work was begun to modernize the equipment.

Modifications and upgrades

The result of the work was the adoption in 1983 of the "Tochka-R" complex. In principle, it differs from the old system only in a new way of aiming the missile at the target. More precisely, the designers again returned to the idea of a radar targeting system. The new complex can automatically capture the target at a distance of 15 kilometers, after which the standard control mechanisms inherited from the old "Point" are started up. However, the new installation may well use the entire range of missiles that were released in the past.

Since 1984, a new round of works has started, since even the characteristics of the "Tochka-U" installation of the new generation did not satisfy the military too much. The tests took place already in 1986. Three years later the renewed complex was adopted for service and began its serial production. As in the previous case, the main changes touched directly the rocket part. As a result, the mass of "Point" grew by about 250 kilograms.

But not only this is characterized by the new installation "Point-U". The radius of defeat was also increased. The new missile received a solid fuel engine weighing one ton. The range of flight after that increased immediately to 120 kilometers, which made it possible to create nuclear versions of projectiles.

New versions of ballistic missiles

Before the upgrade, the complexes received combat units of new types. In general, for today there are the following types of shells for "Toots":

• 9M79 . This rocket model is the very first, it appeared along with the installation itself.

• 9M79M . The first option of modernization. In this case, the technology of production itself was seriously changed. In addition, it was ensured full compatibility with the new automatic guidance system on the target. The upgraded missile has an index of 9M79R.

• 9M79-1 . A missile with this name is characterized by a significantly increased range of flight.

• 9M79-GVM . This is a training model of a combat missile, which is used in training combat calculations. In appearance, they almost perfectly reproduce their combat "progenitors".

Types of military units

The military units of the missiles themselves are not less diverse. Here we give the most common.

• 9H123 . High explosive fragmentation type. The development was completed in the late sixties. In its design, there are almost 163 kilograms of explosives and 14.5 thousand semi-finished fragments. They can cover an area of up to three hectares. It should be noted here that during the design, a huge number of calculations were made, according to which the trotyl mass is located at an angle to the central axis of the rocket, thus ensuring the maximum uniform distribution of the fragment mass over the area.

It is for this projectile that the "Tochka-U" infantry is unloved among the infantry. The defeat of manpower at its use is close to 100%. It is possible to hide from heavy damage elements only in very good shelter.

• 9H123K. What is remarkable about this missile "Tochka-U"? Its characteristics are quite simple: a cluster shrapnel with 50 submunitions. Each of them is a separate small projectile weighing 7.5 kilograms, with one and a half kilograms occupying an explosive charge. Separate "grenades" scatter about 316 fragments, but due to their spread at an altitude of about two kilometers they cover up to seven hectares at a time. In order to spread the cassettes more evenly, their fall is stabilized by band-like parachutes.
• Nuclear warheads with the index 9H39. Power - an impressive 10 kilotons. But there is also the 9N64 model, whose capacity is already 100-200 (according to various sources) kiloton. All missiles that were supplied with a nuclear warhead were labeled with the letter "B". For the entire life of the complex, they have not been used once.

That is what the missile complex "Tochka-U" is characterized by. Photos, which in due quantity are presented in the article, will allow you to create your own idea about it.