The Tor-M1 (SA-15) air defence missile system in service with the PLA (Chinese Internet)
The PLA has acquired at least 35~60 Russian Tor-M1 (NATO codename: SA-15 Gauntlet) short-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems in 1997~99 to modernise the air defence of its ground forces. The PRC may also be negotiating a license to produce the Tor-M1 systems and its missiles locally under the designation HQ-17.
The PLA ordered 14 Tor-M1 missile systems from Russia in 1996 and received them in 1997. The second batch of 13 systems were ordered in 1999 and delivered to the PLA in 2000. These missile systems are shared between the air defence brigade of the 38th Group Army in the Beijing Military Region (MR), and the air defence brigade of the 31st Group Army in the Nanjing MR.
The Tor-M1 system in the combat mode (Chinese Internet)
Missile
The acquisition of the Tor-M1 system represents a major step forward in the air defence capability of the PLA ground forces. The Tor-M1 is the world’s first field air defence missile system that stores and transports the missile in vertical position. This means that the missile could be launched without the procedure of erection, reducing the reaction time of the system. A tracked self-propelled Tor-M1 transport-launch vehicle (TLV) carries eight ready-to-launch missiles in a two maintenance-free factory-sealed container-launcher boxes, holding four missiles each. The system can be reloaded by a dedicated transportation/loader vehicle.
Guided by phased-array tracking radar, the 9K331-1 missile of the Tor-M1 system has a range of 12km against low-flying fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters and 5km against cruise missiles. The system has the capability to automatically track and destroy two targets simultaneously in day/night, all-weather conditions. Reaction time is 5~8 seconds from detection; missiles can be launched at 3 second intervals.
Transport-Launch Vehicle (TLV)
The GM-355 TLV is not amphibious although it is air-portable. An NBC-protection system is fitted as standard as is a built-in training system. The chassis of the vehicle is almost identical to that used for the 2S6 self-propelled hybrid air defence system and is based on the GM-569 tracked vehicle.
The three-man crew consists of the vehicle commander, system operator and vehicle driver, seated at the front of the vehicle with the large box-like unmanned turret in the centre and the engine compartment at the rear. This arrangement is similar to that of the Kub (SA-6) and Shilka (ZSU-23-4) vehicles.
The vehicle suspension consists of seven dual rubber tired road wheels with the idler at the front, drive sprocket at the rear, and three return rollers. An auxiliary gas turbine powers a 75kW generator, allowing the main diesel engine to be shut down when the system is deployed to conserve fuel.
The Tor-M1 system in the travelling mode (Chinese Internet)
Radar Systems
A PLA Tor-M1 battalion appears to match the Russian organisation of having 3~5 batteries (companies). Each battery consists of four transport-launch-vehicles (TLV) and a Rangir battery command post.
Although the Tor-M1 is an autonomous system, it can be interfaced into an integrated air defence network. The modified SA-15B is designed to be a completely autonomous air defence system at division level, capable of surveillance, command and control, missile launch and guidance functions from a single vehicle.
The 3D pulse Doppler electronically beam-steered E/F-band surveillance radar provides range, azimuth, elevation and automatic threat evaluation data on up to 48 targets for the digital fire control computer processing system. Automatic track initiation can be performed on the 10 most dangerous targets, which are categorized and prioritised in order of threat for engagement. The operator reconfirms the highest priority target choice and tracks this target before firing the missile.
The maximum radar range is stated as 25km, but the rapid five to eight second reaction time (including fire control target prioritisation) suggests a somewhat greater range. The radar antenna, on top of the turret, is swung through 90º to the horizontal position for travel. Target radar surveillance is carried out on the move but the vehicle would normally come to a halt for missile launch.
The phased-array pulse Doppler G/H-band tracking radar is located at the front of the turret. This electronically steered radar is capable of simultaneously tracking two targets travelling at speeds of up to 700km/h in all weather conditions, and countering threat ECM operations. The antenna assembly can be folded down for travel.
PLA crew loading missiles for the Tor-M1 (Chinese Internet)
Mounted on the top left of this radar is a small vertical pointing antenna, which serves to initially acquire the missile after launch before it is handed over to the main tracking/guidance system. On the lower right side of the tracking radar is an automatic TV tracking system with a range of 20,000m that complements the tracking radar and enables the system to operate in a heavy ECM environment.
Specifications
Missile dimensions: Length 2.9m; Diameter 0.235m Launch weight: 167kg Propulsion: Single-stage, solid-fuel rocket Operating altitude: 0.01~6km Operating range: 0.1~12km Max speed: 850m/s Guidance: Radio command Warhead: 15kg high explosive Launch vehicle size: Length 7.5m;
Height 5.1m; Width 3.3m Combat weight: 34t Engine: V12 diesel Range: 500km Max road speed: 65 km/h Protection: NBC protection Launcher reaction time: 5~8 sec Reload time: 10 min Fire on move: Yes
