P-70 Ametist
The SS-N -7 Starbright was a submarine -based anti-ship missile from Russian production. The GRAU index 4K66 is and index system of the Russian armed forces P -70 Amethyst. She was the world's first anti-ship missile that could be used by submerged submarines.
Development
The SS-N -7 was used to combat Seekriegsverbänden and aircraft carrier groups. The development in the design office NPO Maschinostrojenija Tschelomei began in 1959. The first systems were introduced in the Soviet naval forces in 1968. The following submarine classes were equipped with the SS -N -7:
- Charlie - I class, each with eight missiles
- Papa class with ten missiles
Technology
The missiles were housed in starting and transport containers outside the pressure hull. Before the start had to be entered in the navigation system of the missile, the coordinates and the course of the target. These were determined by sonar or ELINT from the U- boat. The launch of the missile was carried out with the help of the march engine and four boosters at the rear steering arms. The missile can be launched individually or in series from a depth of up to 20 m. After piercing the water surface the missile rose to a height of around 100 m. After burning the four booster these were dropped and the missile fell to a cruising altitude of 30-60 m. A radar altimeter provided the necessary safety distance between the missile and the sea surface. The SS-N- 7 was a fire-and -forget missile and the flight to the target area was carried out autonomously by means of inertial navigation platform. For the objective approach of the on-board radar seeker head has been activated. If the target detects, it was served in a shallow dive. The impact in the target occurs at water level.
Dissemination
The SS-N -7 came only with the Soviet naval forces for use. The system was never exported.
Swell
- Russian / Soviet sea- based anti -ship missiles. DTIG - Defense Threat Information Group, Nov 2005
- Jane's Naval Weapon Systems Edition 2005. Jane's Publishing