Metel Anti-Ship Complex (Russian: противолодочный комплекс «Метель» 'Snowstorm'; NATO reporting name: SS-N-14 Silex) is a Russian family of anti-submarine missiles. There are different anti-submarine variants ('Metel') for cruisers and frigates, and a later version with a shaped charge ('Rastrub') that can be used against shipping as well as submarines.
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. In the case of the 85RU/URPK-5, the UGMT-1 torpedo is a multi-purpose torpedo and can be used against submarines as well as surface ships. The missile has been in operational service since 1968, but is no longer in production; it was superseded by the RPK-2 Viyuga (SS-N-15 'Starfish').
In the early 1960s the Soviet Union introduced the RBU-6000 and RBU-1000 anti-submarine rocket launchers, which worked on a similar principle to the Royal Navy's Hedgehog system of the Second World War, propelling small depth charges up to 5,800 metres (6,300 yd) from a ship. However this meant that a ship would still be in range of the submarine's torpedoes and missiles, and depth charges were less accurate than homing torpedoes. In 1963 the US Navy introduced ASROC, a missile that flew to the estimated position of the target submarine, and then dropped a torpedo into the water to destroy it. The SS-N-14 was the Soviet response.
In 1993, an upgraded version, designated YP-85, with a range of 250 km (130 nmi), was proposed for export.[2]
Designedit
The missile is based on the P-120 Malakhit (NATO: SS-N-9 'Siren') anti-shipping missile. The missile itself is radio command guided and is powered by a solid fuel rocket motor. The later 'Rastrub' models of the weapon were "universal" carrying a UGMT-1 multi-purpose torpedo and in addition had 185 kg (408 lb) shaped charge warhead for use against ships guided by radio command and infrared seeker.[3] In anti-submarine mode the missile flew at approximately 400 m (1,300 ft) altitude, and when 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 15 m (49 ft).[1]
Operational historyedit
The URPK-3 entered service in 1969 on the Kresta II and Kara classes of cruisers.[2] The URPK-4 was introduced in 1973, and the anti-ship version URPK-5 Rastrub in 1976.[2] The URPK-4 has been used With the first batch of the Udaloy-classdestroyers; the Udaloy II carries the SS-N-15 'Starfish'. The system was installed on the battlecruiserAdmiral Ushakov (ex-Kirov) but not on her sister ships.[2]
Of these the Krestas and Karas have been retired, along with most of the Krivaks and half the Udaloys; the Kirov appears to have been upgraded to the SS-N-16 'Stallion' at some point. 100 missiles are estimated to remain in service as of 2006[update].
According to some unconfirmed reports, this missile has been used in combination with Tupolev Tu-143 Reys observation UAVs and Russian Tu-243 and Tu-300 derivatives, launched from BAZ-135MB truck launch platforms (originally planned for the Redoubt anti-ship missile complex to SS-N-3 Shaddock missile in coastal defense role, onboard infrastructure and general missile container inherited by the SS-N-9 Siren and the cited and Siren-derivate SS-N-14 Silex missiles) by pro-Russian separatist UAV units in the Russian Invasion of Ukraine since 2014, as a ground attack missile system.
The adaptation includes replacement of originally used UGMT-1 multi-purpose torpedo and PLAB-100 naval depth-charge (variant of Soviet-Russian FAB-100 general-purpose aerial bomb) to FAB-50 or FAB-100, ZAB-50, ZAB-100, OFAB-50 or OFAB-100 and AO-50, AO-100 (twin 50 kg or single 100 kg unguided bombs).
Due to the 100 missiles stock left behind after by the successive withdrawal of the last Soviet-origin Kara-class cruisers and Krivak-class frigates in the near Russian Black Sea Fleet depots in Crimea, also by current upgrade of the Udaloy-class destroyers in the Russian service.
Variantsedit
85RU missile in Dubna museum of missiles history, Russia
60R - Original version armed with 5 kt nuclear depth charge
70R - Original version armed with AT-2U ASW torpedo
83R/URPK-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)
84R/URPK-4 Metel-U, KT-106U launcher, used on Udaloy-class destroyers. 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/URPK-5 Rastrub, KT-100U launcher. Entered service 1975. Carries UGMT-1 (AT-3 Orlan) anti- sub and anti-ship torpedo and is in addition anti-shipping missile with a warhead of 185 kg.
85RUS/URPK-5 Nuclear tipped version of the missile.
^. Archived from the original on 2014-12-13. Retrieved 2014-12-13.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapon Systems 1997 to 1998
Jane's Underwater Warfare Systems 2006-2007
External linksedit
Manufacturer's page about the URK-5
February 15, 2024
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Metel Anti Ship Complex Russian protivolodochnyj kompleks Metel Snowstorm NATO reporting name SS N 14 Silex is a Russian family of anti submarine missiles There are different anti submarine variants Metel for cruisers and frigates and a later version with a shaped charge Rastrub that can be used against shipping as well as submarines RPK 3 Metel NATO reporting name SS N 14 Silex Launcher with SS N 14 missiles on an Udaloy class destroyer TypeAnti submarine ship missilePlace of originSoviet UnionService historyIn service1969 currentUsed byRussiaProduction historyDesigned1960sSpecificationsMass3 930 kg 8 660 lb Length7 2 m 24 ft 85R missile WarheadVarious ASW torpedoes or nuclear depth charge Later multi purpose torpedoes and 185 kg shaped charge warhead against ships Propellantsolid fuel rocketOperationalrange10 90 km for 85RU URPK 5 Rastrub 1 versus ship 5 50 km anti sub Maximum depth20 500 metresMaximum speedMach 0 95 290 m s 650 mph GuidancesystemRadio command via helicopter or other external guidance plus an IR seeker LaunchplatformKresta II Kara Krivak 1 amp 2 Udaloy I KirovThe 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 In the case of the 85RU URPK 5 the UGMT 1 torpedo is a multi purpose torpedo and can be used against submarines as well as surface ships The missile has been in operational service since 1968 but is no longer in production it was superseded by the RPK 2 Viyuga SS N 15 Starfish Contents 1 Development 2 Design 3 Operational history 4 Variants 5 Operators 6 Gallery 7 Notes and references 8 External linksDevelopment editIn the early 1960s the Soviet Union introduced the RBU 6000 and RBU 1000 anti submarine rocket launchers which worked on a similar principle to the Royal Navy s Hedgehog system of the Second World War propelling small depth charges up to 5 800 metres 6 300 yd from a ship However this meant that a ship would still be in range of the submarine s torpedoes and missiles and depth charges were less accurate than homing torpedoes In 1963 the US Navy introduced ASROC a missile that flew to the estimated position of the target submarine and then dropped a torpedo into the water to destroy it The SS N 14 was the Soviet response In 1993 an upgraded version designated YP 85 with a range of 250 km 130 nmi was proposed for export 2 Design editThe missile is based on the P 120 Malakhit NATO SS N 9 Siren anti shipping missile The missile itself is radio command guided and is powered by a solid fuel rocket motor The later Rastrub models of the weapon were universal carrying a UGMT 1 multi purpose torpedo and in addition had 185 kg 408 lb shaped charge warhead for use against ships guided by radio command and infrared seeker 3 In anti submarine mode the missile flew at approximately 400 m 1 300 ft altitude and when 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 15 m 49 ft 1 Operational history editThe URPK 3 entered service in 1969 on the Kresta II and Kara classes of cruisers 2 The URPK 4 was introduced in 1973 and the anti ship version URPK 5 Rastrub in 1976 2 The URPK 4 has been used With the first batch of the Udaloy class destroyers the Udaloy II carries the SS N 15 Starfish The system was installed on the battlecruiser Admiral Ushakov ex Kirov but not on her sister ships 2 Of these the Krestas and Karas have been retired along with most of the Krivaks and half the Udaloys the Kirov appears to have been upgraded to the SS N 16 Stallion at some point 100 missiles are estimated to remain in service as of 2006 update According to some unconfirmed reports this missile has been used in combination with Tupolev Tu 143 Reys observation UAVs and Russian Tu 243 and Tu 300 derivatives launched from BAZ 135MB truck launch platforms originally planned for the Redoubt anti ship missile complex to SS N 3 Shaddock missile in coastal defense role onboard infrastructure and general missile container inherited by the SS N 9 Siren and the cited and Siren derivate SS N 14 Silex missiles by pro Russian separatist UAV units in the Russian Invasion of Ukraine since 2014 as a ground attack missile system The adaptation includes replacement of originally used UGMT 1 multi purpose torpedo and PLAB 100 naval depth charge variant of Soviet Russian FAB 100 general purpose aerial bomb to FAB 50 or FAB 100 ZAB 50 ZAB 100 OFAB 50 or OFAB 100 and AO 50 AO 100 twin 50 kg or single 100 kg unguided bombs Due to the 100 missiles stock left behind after by the successive withdrawal of the last Soviet origin Kara class cruisers and Krivak class frigates in the near Russian Black Sea Fleet depots in Crimea also by current upgrade of the Udaloy class destroyers in the Russian service Variants edit nbsp 85RU missile in Dubna museum of missiles history Russia60R Original version armed with 5 kt nuclear depth charge 70R Original version armed with AT 2U ASW torpedo 83R URPK 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 84R URPK 4 Metel U KT 106U launcher used on Udaloy class destroyers 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 URPK 5 Rastrub KT 100U launcher Entered service 1975 Carries UGMT 1 AT 3 Orlan anti sub and anti ship torpedo and is in addition anti shipping missile with a warhead of 185 kg 85RUS URPK 5 Nuclear tipped version of the missile YP 85 Proposed long range version see above Operators edit nbsp Russia nbsp Soviet UnionGallery edit nbsp SS N 14 Silex missiles aboard the Udaloy class destroyer Vice Admiral Kulakov departing Portsmouth Naval Base United Kingdom August 2012 nbsp SS N 14 Silex missile launchers aboard the Udaloy class destroyer Vice Admiral Kulakov arriving at Portsmouth Naval Base United Kingdom August 2012 Notes and references edit a b URK 5 Rastrub B universalnyj raketnyj kompleks kollektsiya ru Archived from the original on 2014 07 28 a b c d URPK 3 4 5 SS N 14 Silex 83R and 84R Metel 85RU Rastrub Jane s Strategic Weapon Systems 2008 09 10 retrieved 2009 01 28 Archived copy Archived from the original on 2014 12 13 Retrieved 2014 12 13 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint archived copy as title link Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapon Systems 1997 to 1998 Jane s Underwater Warfare Systems 2006 2007External links editImages of the missiles in the launch tubes at wonderland org nz Page about the SS N 14 in Russian Manufacturer s page about the URK 5 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Metel Anti Ship Complex amp oldid 1174016997, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
