The Echo-class submarine was required to spend 30 minutes or more on the surface when firing its P-5 Pyatyorka (SS-N-3A 'Shaddock') missiles. This made the submarines very vulnerable to enemy attack, so in 1963 the Soviets started work on a new missile that could be fired whilst submerged, and a submarine to carry it. These became the P-50 Malakhit and Charlie-class submarine. The P-50 was replaced by the P-120 design during development.
However, problems in development meant that the twelve Charlie I submarines were built with the shorter-ranged P-70 Ametist (SS-N-7 'Starbright', an evolution of the SS-N-2C 'Styx') as a stopgap before the introduction of the P-120 Malakhit on the Charlie II.
The P-120 missile was later used as the basis for the SS-N-14 Silex rocket-propelled torpedo.
DesignEdit
The L band seeker and radar altimeter originally designed for the 'Siren' were first used on the 'Starbright' whilst the Soviets sorted out the P-120's troublesome engines. However the 'Siren' has space for datalink equipment, allowing mid-course guidance from the launch platform or something else. When fired from a submarine, the missile can be launched at a maximum depth of 50 meters.
Operational historyEdit
The 'Siren' entered service on corvettes of the Soviet Navy on March 17, 1972.[2] It would be installed on Nanuchka-class corvettes.[3] About 500 missiles were produced.
It was not until November 1977 that it was accepted for use on submarines. The Charlie-II submarine carried eight missiles (of which two usually carried thermonuclear warheads).
^. Radar and Missile Analysis Group, wonderland.org.nz. Archived from the original on October 14, 2008. Retrieved 2009-01-28.
^ (in Russian). Archived from the original on 2013-10-02. Retrieved 2016-07-26.
^"P-120 Malakhit 4K-85 SSN-9 Siren". John Pike, GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved 2009-01-28.
^"Бій Російського МРК «МІРАЖ» з Молдавським теплоходом «ЛОТОС-1» – Військово-Морські Сили ЗС України". Navy.mil.gov.ua. 16 November 2017. Retrieved 2021-11-20.
^"Ship LOTOS 1 (General Cargo) Registered in Moldova - Vessel details, Current position and Voyage information - IMO 8031457, MMSI -8031457, Radijski pozivni znak ERBW". Marinetraffic.com. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
External linksEdit
MARITIME STRIKE The Soviet Perspective
Russian/Sovjet Sea-based Anti-Ship Missiles (pdf)
August 29, 2023
malakhit, russian, Малахит, malachite, nato, reporting, name, siren, grau, designation, 4k85, russian, medium, range, anti, ship, missile, used, corvettes, submarines, introduced, 1972, remains, service, been, superseded, moskit, malakhit, nato, reporting, nam. The P 120 Malakhit Russian P 120 Malahit Malachite NATO reporting name SS N 9 Siren GRAU designation 4K85 1 is a Russian medium range anti ship missile used by corvettes and submarines Introduced in 1972 it remains in service but has been superseded by the P 270 Moskit P 120 P 50 Malakhit NATO reporting name SS N 9 Siren P 120 Malakhit medium range cruise missileTypeAnti ship missilePlace of originSoviet UnionService historyIn service1972 currentUsed byRussiaProduction historyDesignerZvezdaManufacturerOKB 52 MAP later NPO Mashinostroyeniye SpecificationsMass3 180 kg 7 010 lb Length8 84 m 29 0 ft Diameter76 2 cm 30 0 in Wingspan2 1 m 6 9 ft WarheadHE SAP or 200 kt nuclearWarhead weighttotal 840 kg 1 850 lb HE 500 kg 1102 lbPropellantTurbojet solid fuelOperationalrangeSub launched conventional warhead 70 km nuclear warhead 110 km Ship launched conventional warhead 120 km nuclear warhead 150 160 kmMaximum speedMach 1 LaunchplatformNanuchka and Sarancha Charlie II Contents 1 Development 2 Design 3 Operational history 4 Operators 5 References 6 External linksDevelopment EditThe Echo class submarine was required to spend 30 minutes or more on the surface when firing its P 5 Pyatyorka SS N 3A Shaddock missiles This made the submarines very vulnerable to enemy attack so in 1963 the Soviets started work on a new missile that could be fired whilst submerged and a submarine to carry it These became the P 50 Malakhit and Charlie class submarine The P 50 was replaced by the P 120 design during development However problems in development meant that the twelve Charlie I submarines were built with the shorter ranged P 70 Ametist SS N 7 Starbright an evolution of the SS N 2C Styx as a stopgap before the introduction of the P 120 Malakhit on the Charlie II The P 120 missile was later used as the basis for the SS N 14 Silex rocket propelled torpedo Design EditThe L band seeker and radar altimeter originally designed for the Siren were first used on the Starbright whilst the Soviets sorted out the P 120 s troublesome engines However the Siren has space for datalink equipment allowing mid course guidance from the launch platform or something else When fired from a submarine the missile can be launched at a maximum depth of 50 meters Operational history EditThe Siren entered service on corvettes of the Soviet Navy on March 17 1972 2 It would be installed on Nanuchka class corvettes 3 About 500 missiles were produced It was not until November 1977 that it was accepted for use on submarines The Charlie II submarine carried eight missiles of which two usually carried thermonuclear warheads It saw action in 2008 in the hands of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Navy during the action off Abkhazia where it was used without success mistakenly against MV Lotos 1 from Moldova 4 5 Operators Edit RussiaRussian Navy Soviet UnionReferences Edit SS N 9 Siren Radar and Missile Analysis Group wonderland org nz Archived from the original on October 14 2008 Retrieved 2009 01 28 P 120 Malakhit in Russian Archived from the original on 2013 10 02 Retrieved 2016 07 26 P 120 Malakhit 4K 85 SSN 9 Siren John Pike GlobalSecurity org Retrieved 2009 01 28 Bij Rosijskogo MRK MIRAZh z Moldavskim teplohodom LOTOS 1 Vijskovo Morski Sili ZS Ukrayini Navy mil gov ua 16 November 2017 Retrieved 2021 11 20 Ship LOTOS 1 General Cargo Registered in Moldova Vessel details Current position and Voyage information IMO 8031457 MMSI 8031457 Radijski pozivni znak ERBW Marinetraffic com Retrieved 25 November 2021 External links EditMARITIME STRIKE The Soviet Perspective www dtig org Russian Sovjet Sea based Anti Ship Missiles pdf Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title P 120 Malakhit amp oldid 1164301651, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
