S-300VM Antey-2500 SA-23 Gladiator Giant air defense missile system
 
 
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S-300VM Antey-2500 SA-23 Gladiator Giant technical data sheet specifications information description pictures photos images video intelligence identification Russia Russian army air defence missile system industry military technology
 
Description
The S-300VM "Antey-2500" (NATO reporting name SA-23 Gladiator\Giant) is a Russian-made anti-ballistic missile system designed and manufactured by the Company Almaz-Antey. The S-300VM (Antey-2500) air defence missile system is designed to protect task forces and vital national and military installations from mass attacks of medium range ballistic missiles, theatre/tactical ballistic missiles, aeroballistic and cruise missiles, strategic and tactical aircraft, as well as to engage AWACS-type aircraft, reconnaissanceand- strike air systems, loitering ECM aircraft, and other air attack assets. The S-300VM ADM system is a long-range multi-channel mobile air defence system. It can provide effective non-strategic antimissile and anti-aircraft defence. The system has efficient anti-jamming immunity and therefore is capable of engaging air targets in intensive electronic and fire counteraction environment, in any weather, by day and night. The S-300VM has a maximum target detection range of up to 250 km, with aerodynamic target engagement envelope of up to 200 km (range) and altitude from 250 m. to 30 km. It can engage simultaneously up to 24 targets and up to 48 guided missiles. "Antey-2500" has not analogs in the world which is capable to struggle with head parts of ballistic missiles, launched from distance of 2,500 km.
 
Variants
- S-300V1: early production version
- S-300V2: upgraded version with improved capability against ballistic missiles.
- S-300V4: improved version. It seems that this system is also called S-300VMD. It has a range of 300 km. Russian armed forces issued production order for this air defense system. Deliveries commenced in 2014.
 
Technical Data
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Missile support
There's two variants of vehicles, the 9A83ME launcher unit (SA-23a Gladiator) with four 9M83M/ME missiles container-launcher tubes and the 9A84ME loader/launcher (SA-23b Giant) with two missiles 9M82M/ME container-launcher tubes. These tubes are raised to the vertical for missile launch and are carried horizontally for travel.
On the 9A84ME launcher unit, the engagement radar is mounted at the front of the launcher on a scissors-type mount which gives it a full 360º coverage in azimuth as well as full hemispheric coverage in elevation.
On the 9A83ME launcher unit the radar is mounted in a semi-fixed position over the cab, giving 90º coverage to either side in azimuth or 110º coverage in elevation. The difference in the radar locations is because the 9A84ME TELAR has a secondary anti-aircraft role and therefore needs a mast-mounted antenna to engage low-flying targets in any direction.
Missiles
The 9M82M/ME missile is intended to defeat tactical, theater and medium range ballistic missile, as well as aerodynamic targets at a range of up to 200 km to a maximum altitude of 30 km. This missile has a maximum speed of 4,500 m/sec. The missile is controlled throughout the entire flight trajectory. The 9M82M/ME has double the range of the 9M82 (uses by the S-300V) against aerial targets, at 108 nautical miles, and increased terminal phase agility - a single shot kill probability of 98% is claimed against ballistic targets. According to some Internet sources, the range performance of the 9M82M/ME and 9M83M/ME missiles against aerial targets is not as good as the contemporary S-400/SA-21 40N6 missile, the 9M82M/ME matches the kinematic range of the S-400/SA-21 48N6E3, and outperforms the S-300PMU2 Favorit/SA-20B 48N6E2 missile, and all earlier 48N6 series missiles. In terms of performance against ballistic targets, the 9M82M/ME outperforms the 48N6E2 missile and provides almost identical performance to the much newer 48N6E3 missile.
The 9M83M/ME missile is intended to engage tactical and theater missiles, as well as aerodynamic targets at short and medium ranges.
 
The 9M82M/ME missile is intended to defeat tactical, theather and medium range ballistic missile, as well as aerodynamic targets at a range of up to 200 km to a maximum altitude of 30 km.
 
The 9M83M/ME missile is intended to engage tactical and theater missiles, as well as aerodynamic targets at short and medium ranges.
Mobility
The all range of S-300VM defense system vehicles are mounted on the full-tracked MT-T tractor chassis armoured vehicle featuring high maneuverability and cross-country capability. The tracked vehicle is equipped with self-contained power supply and navigation systems, surveying and positioning equipment. The MT-T full-tracked vehicle series was originally designed and built at the Kharkov Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau in Ukraine. Full automation of deployment and out-of-action equipment operations allow the system to be operational within 5 minutes of arriving at a launch site and ready to travel 5 minutes after shutting down its subsystems.
Launcher unit - Command- Control vehicles
Each S-300VM SAM system typically includes:
- 9S32ME multi-channel missile guidance radar
- 9A83ME SA-23a Gladiator launcher unit with four 9M83ME missiles in transport-launch containers
- 9A84ME SA-23b Giant loader/launcher unit with two 9M82ME missiles
The target detection and designation unit includes:
- 9S457ME Command Post
- 9S15M2 (or 9S15MT2E, 9S15MVE2) all-round surveillance radar
- 9S19ME sector-surveillance radar
Combat use
A typical S-300VM ADM (Air Defence Missile) system, consisting of six 9A83ME (SA-23a Gladiator) and 9A84ME (SA-23B Giant) launchers, up to six loader/launchers.
The missile and technical support assets of the S-300VM SAM system includes:
• Maintenance and repair assets for all the elements of the system, as well as integrated functional testing system;
• Missile TLC storage and transportation assets, as well as rigging equipment set for missiles loading/unloading;
• Training assets;
• A set of spare parts, tools and accessories for all the elements of the SAM system.
 
S-300VM Antey-2500 SA-23 Gladiator Giant technical data sheet specifications information description pictures photos images video intelligence identification Russia Russian army air defence missile system industry military technology
 
Specifications
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Type
Surface-to-air missile systems
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Armament
- Four missiles 9M83M/ME for 9A83M/ME launcher unit
- Two missiles 9M82M/ME for 9A84M/ME launcher unit
Country users
Russia
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Head
HE focused fragmentation with selectable in-flight proximity fuzing capability
Explosive load

150 kg HE
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Weight missile
- 9M83M/ME: 3,073 kg
- 9M82M/ME: 6,158 kg
Lenght missile
- 9M83M/ME: 8. 6 m
- 9M82M/ME: 10.5 m
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Range
- 9M83M/ME: 200 km max.
- 9M82M/ME: 200 km max.
Guidance system
inertial with semi-active radar terminal homing
seeker
Radar
- 9S32ME multi-channel missile guidance radar
- 9S15M2 all-round surveillance radar

- 9S19ME sector-surveillance radar
 
Details View
 
9A83ME SA-23a Gladiator launcher unit with radar
Launcher unit 9A83ME with four 9M83M/ME missiles in transport-launch containers and engagement radar at the front. Launcher unit 9A83ME with four 9M83M/ME missiles in transport-launch containers and engagement radar at the front.
     
9A84ME SA-23b Giant launcher unit with radar
Launcher/Loader unit 9A84ME with two 9M82M/ME missiles container-launcher tubes and radar mounted over the cabin crew. Launcher/Loader unit 9A84ME with two 9M82M/ME missiles container-launcher tubes and radar mounted over the cabin crew.
     
9S32ME multi-channel missile guidance radar
9S32ME Missile guidance station unit 9S32ME Missile guidance station unit
     
9S457ME Command Post
The tracked vehicle 9S457ME provides the command and control facilities for the brigade. The tracked vehicle 9S457ME provides the command and control facilities for the brigade.
     
9S15M2 all-round surveillance radar (NATO Code "Bill Board")
The 9S15M2 provides long-range early warning and target acquisition data on up to 200 targets to the CP. For travelling, it folds down over the back of the vehicle. The 9S15M2 provides long-range early warning and target acquisition data on up to 200 targets to the CP. For travelling, it folds down over the back of the vehicle.
     
9S19ME sector-surveillance radar (NATO Code "High Screen")
Sector-surveillance radar 9S19ME. This is needed for the brigade's anti-missile role. Sector-surveillance radar 9S19ME. This is needed for the brigade's anti-missile role.
 
 
Pictures - Video
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