Installations of the missile complex missile rock 3M44 progress. The coastal missile complex "Usp" was revived in the Crimea. Development and testing

27.08.2019


The underground-based Crimean coastal missile system "Utes" in the future will be re-equipped with a new missile. This was announced to TASS on Monday by Alexander Leonov, General Director, General Designer of NPO Mashinostroyenia (part of the Tactical Missile Armament Corporation), on the eve of the International Aviation and Space Salon (MAKS-2019).
Leonov recalled that repair and restoration work on the Utes coastal missile system was completed quite recently, and was needed because the complex, which was part of the Ukrainian Naval Forces from 1996 to 2014, lost its technical readiness.
“Successful launches after the work carried out showed the readiness of the complex to protect the Crimean coast. Therefore, for some time he will work with Progress missiles. In the future, the complex will be re-equipped with new missile models, ”Leonov said.
TASS

Half a century ago, several interesting projects in the field of missile weapons for the navy were created in our country. On the basis of existing developments, the P-6 and P-35 missiles were created, intended for submarines and ships, respectively. The P-35 product later became the basis for new coastal missile systems: the Redut mobile system and the Utes stationary system. The latter appeared later than everyone else and, after a number of problems and difficulties, is still being exploited.

The creation of the coastal anti-ship operational-tactical complex "Utes" with P-35B cruise missiles was launched in 1961 in accordance with the resolution of the Council of Ministers of July 16. This document required the creation of a new stationary complex and equip the existing bases in the Crimea and on about. Kildin. The Utes system was supposed to be a replacement for the existing Strela complex of a similar purpose, which no longer fully meets modern requirements. It is noteworthy that the new complex was supposed to replace the old one, not only in terms of a tactical role, but also in terms of placement. On the existing complexes "Object 100" and "Object 101" it was required to dismantle the old "Strela" equipment and install instead of it systems of a new type for the use of P-35B missiles.

Model of P-35 rocket with holes for demonstration of internal units. In particular, the antenna of the radar seeker is visible. Photo Bastion-karpenko.narod.ru

It is necessary to recall the history of "Object 100" and "Object 101". As part of the creation of the Strela coastal complex with the S-2 rocket (due to the high degree of unification, it is often confused with the Sopka mobile system with the same rocket, or is called its stationary modification), which has been carried out since 1954, in the second half of the fifties were built several special objects. In the middle of 1955, in the Crimea, in the area of ​​Cape Aya, the construction of "Object 100" began. The 95th Specialized Department of Underground Operations of the Black Sea Fleet punched a large number of tunnels and a set of special rooms in the rock, in which various means of the missile complex were later placed.

In total, two complexes were built in Crimea, classified as missile divisions. Each of them had two launchers with two missiles on each, missile control facilities, etc. Also inside the mountain were command posts, missile storage facilities, stations for their preparation and other premises. All underground structures were connected by porters. On the surface, there were only a few gates for access to the complex and the covers of the launchers.

The Black Sea Fleet received two missile divisions, each of which had two launchers. One of these complexes was located in the area of ​​Balaklava, the other was built near the village. Reserve. The distance between the two divisions was about 6 km. In the same area, on the mountains of Cape Aya, the position of the detection radar was located. An interesting feature of all the means of the "Strela" complex was their location. All objects were located in the mountains at an altitude of 500-600 m above sea level. This hid them from observation from the sea, and also, to a certain extent, increased the observation and firing ranges.

June 5, 1957 "Object 100" conducted the first firing with the use of guided missiles S-2. After the completion of all checks, on August 30, the complex was put into operation. Its operation was entrusted to the specially formed 362nd separate coastal missile regiment (OBRP).

Rocket launch at Object 100. Photo Flot.sevastopol.info

At the end of 1955, a second secret construction site began on the island. Kildin off the coast of the Murmansk region. Missile base "Object 101", as in the case of the Crimean complex, had two autonomous divisions located in different parts of the island. In terms of its general structure, the "Object 101" did not differ from the "Object 100", however, it was built using a different technology. Instead of making tunnels in the rock, it was decided to dig ditches of the required size. All the necessary bunkers, premises and porches were built in them, after which the free space was filled with soil and concrete.

The Object 101 was to be operated by the new 616th OBRP, formed in 1957. In the first days of the 58th, a new missile system was put into operation. In the future, similar bases were not built. Object 100 and Object 101, built to accommodate Strela missile systems, remained the only domestic stationary complexes of this class. In the future, priority was given to mobile coastal missile systems, which do not need complex and expensive stationary objects.

In view of the obsolescence of the existing S-2 missiles and complexes based on them, in the early sixties, it was decided to transfer two missile bases in the Crimea and on about. Kildin for new weapons. The choice fell on the P-35B cruise anti-ship missile under development. Initially, this product was intended for the mobile coastal complex "Redut", but its characteristics allowed operation on stationary systems.

The promising stationary complex received the symbol "Cliff". Its development was entrusted to OKB-52 under the leadership of V.N. Chelomey. This organization has developed a number of anti-ship missiles, including the P-35. Thus, the creation of a new complex was entrusted to the design bureau, which was already working on a rocket for it: the Redut and P-35B projects were launched back in 1960.

Scheme of a missile division consisting of Object 100 and Object 101. Figure Erlata.ru

As part of the "Utes" complex, it was proposed to use the P-35B missile. This product was a further development of ideas embodied in older projects of the mid-fifties. The missile was intended to attack large surface targets and had an appropriate technical appearance, as well as a special algorithm for the operation of guidance systems.

All the main rocket units were placed inside the fuselage about 10 m long, equipped with a pointed nose fairing and a protruding air intake under the bottom. An important feature of the P-35B missile and its predecessors was the use of a folding wing. In the transport position, the consoles turned downward, reducing the transverse dimension of the product to 1.6 m.After leaving the launch container, the wing had to unfold independently and acquire a span of 2.6 m.

The power plant of the rocket was located in the tail section of the fuselage. Its main element was the K7-300 turbojet propulsion engine with a thrust of 2180 kg. Also, the rocket was supposed to carry a detachable launch block in the form of two solid-propellant engines with a thrust of 18.3 tons. After running out of fuel, they were to be dropped. Also in the tail of the rocket, small elevators and a keel placed under the fuselage were provided. The latter had a rudder.

Launch complex of the destroyed 1st division of "Object 100". Photo Jalita.com

To aim at a target, the P-35B rocket had to use a combined equipment. The exit to the target location area should be carried out using an inertial navigation system when flying at an altitude of 4-7 km. At a given distance from the target, an active radar homing head with a sighting mode was to be connected to work. With its help, the rocket was supposed to observe the target area and look for objects located there, transmitting data about them to the operator. The latter's task was to select a target for self-guided missile guidance. After determining the target and capturing it, the rocket had to complete the attack on its own, without the participation of the operator.

The defeat of the selected object was to be carried out using a high-explosive or special warhead weighing up to 1000 kg. At the same time, the power of a nuclear warhead reached 350 kt, which made it possible to destroy both the target and the ships next to it.

The P-35B rocket without a launch block and fuel for the propulsion engine weighed about 2.33 tons. The launch weight reached 5300 kg, including the 800 kg starting engine. The rocket had the ability to climb to an altitude of 7 km and reach speeds of up to 1600 km / h. The exact flight parameters were determined in accordance with the chosen flight program, however, the final section in all cases had to pass at an altitude of 100 m. This did not interfere with correct targeting, but seriously hampered the timely detection and destruction of an incoming missile.

To launch the rocket from the coastal firing position, a special complex of means was developed, in which the developments for the Strela project and the P-35 ship rocket were used. The launcher for P-35B missiles was created on the basis of the SM-70 ship system and was a simplified version of it. Instead of four containers for missiles on a common base with rotating mechanisms, there were now two. The containers provided guides for the movement of the rocket and other necessary equipment. During storage, the rocket was protected by movable covers that were raised before launch.

A pool formed at the site of the launcher. Photo Jalita.com

Launchers of a new type should be mounted on lifting devices similar to those used in the "Strela". Before the launch of the rocket, the launch complex was supposed to open a movable protected roof, ensuring the rise of the launcher. On the surface, the launcher was supposed to open the covers and rise with an elevation of + 15 °. After that, missiles could be launched. After launch, the installation should be returned to the underground hall for recharging.

As part of the "Utes" complex, various means for storing, transporting and servicing missiles were provided. So, to load the launcher, the P-35B rocket had to be supplied from a warehouse (a room with racks for 32 missiles) using a special cart with an electric motor. On a cart, the rocket was proposed to be delivered to the refueling point, and then placed in the launcher. All maintenance operations of the complex could be carried out by calculation without going to the surface.

The coastal complex "Utes" has retained some elements of its predecessor. So, it was proposed to monitor the protected water area and search for targets using the Mys radar station, which was already used with the Strela complex. Some other units were also unified. The use of the Mys radar allowed the new complex to fire P-35B missiles at a range of up to 270-300 km. In the mid-sixties, a complex of third-party target designation using aircraft and helicopters of several types was adopted. The use of aircraft, solving the problem of long-range reconnaissance and relaying radio signals, made it possible to increase the firing range of missiles to 450-460 km.

Launcher covers of the surviving 2nd Division of "100 Object". Photo Bastion-opk.ru

When developing the Utes project, the main features of the previous stationary complex were taken into account, but in some cases it was necessary to use significant modifications of the finished objects. These and other difficulties ultimately negatively affected the complexity of the work and the timing of the modernization of existing coastal missile bases.

In the early autumn of 1964, industry and Black Sea Fleet specialists began the reconstruction and modernization of Object 100. All unnecessary funds of the existing Strela were removed from the underground structures of the 2nd missile division (near the village of Reserve), after which some structures were rebuilt in accordance with the dimensions of the new systems and other differences of the Utes complex. A little later, similar work started at the facilities of the 1st division. The restructuring of existing structures in mountainous soil turned out to be a rather difficult task, because of which the builders did not manage to meet the established schedule.

After numerous difficulties and a shift in terms, the specialists nevertheless managed to complete the installation of the first complex "Utes". All the necessary work was completed by the beginning of 1971. On May 28, the first test launch of the P-35B missile against a training target took place. The rocket flew 200 km and successfully hit the target. At the end of April 1972, after six test launches, "Object 100" was introduced to the permanent readiness forces. About a year later, by a resolution of the Council of Ministers, it was officially put into operation.

Due to the difficulties inherent in service in the North, the rearmament of "Object 101" was delayed even more. The first division of the 616th separate coastal missile regiment received all the new equipment only by 1976. The rearmament of the 2nd division was completed after the end of work on the 1st. Thus, he was able to begin a full-fledged service using new weapons only in the early eighties. Nevertheless, despite all the difficulties, the task was successfully solved: both stationary missile bases completely switched to a new complex with modern missiles with improved characteristics.

One of the Object 101 launchers. Due to the lack of maintenance and the harsh climate, the lid collapsed and fell inward. Photo Urban3p.ru

By the time of completion of work on the modernization of the base on the island. Kildin adopted a new rocket 3M44 "Progress", which was an updated version of the P-35B. With the maximum external similarity, this product differed from the base one by the use of a large number of new components and assemblies that had a positive effect on its characteristics. In connection with the appearance of new missiles, all systems that previously used the P-35 and P-35B began to switch to Progress. Thus, by the mid-eighties "Object 100" and "Object 101" could use both P-35B and 3M44. Interestingly, due to lengthy work, the 2nd division of the 616th OBRP, after modernization, received Progress missiles from the very beginning.

After returning to service, two coastal missile systems of the Black Sea and Northern Fleets have repeatedly participated in combat training activities with firing at target ships. In addition, from a certain time, these complexes began to provide training for anti-aircraft gunners. In a number of exercises, missiles of the P-35 family were used as targets for shipborne anti-aircraft systems. It is with such an operation that a very curious review of the rocket is associated. After such exercises, Admiral I.V. Kasatonov called the P-35B missile a flying tank, since it continued to fly even after two anti-aircraft missiles were detonated.

Full training and combat work of two separate coastal missile regiments continued until the early nineties. The collapse of the Soviet Union and the ensuing political and economic problems hit the Utes complexes seriously. Thus, Object 100 last launched a rocket in September 1993, after which it stood idle for several years. As part of the agreement on the division of the Black Sea Fleet in 1996, the complex was transferred to the Ukrainian side. According to some reports, in 1997, the new owners were even able to carry out one training missile launch, after which no serious measures were taken. Unable to operate the Crimean base, the Ukrainian Navy took some actions that led to negative consequences.

The 1st division, located near Balaklava, was disbanded at the beginning of the 2000s. Left without maintenance and without security, the facility was plundered. Nowadays, it is a harsh and sad sight: the equipment has disappeared or destroyed, and under the open covers of the halls with launchers, real ponds with stagnant water have formed. The restoration and further operation of the facility is not possible. Probably, the former position of the 1st division of the 342nd OBRP will remain a crumbling monument to the unique complex.

Training model of the P-35B rocket on the island. Kildin. Photo Urban3p.ru

The 2nd division turned out to be more fortunate. The new owners, who did not have the opportunity to exploit it, carried out the conservation. Subsequently, the object was partially returned to service and opened to tourists. According to the latest data, after the return of Crimea to Russia, the Black Sea Fleet specialists carried out all the necessary procedures, according to the results of which the Utes complex can again be used by the fleet. It now complements the coastal missile and artillery grouping.

Object 101 continued to serve until 1995. Despite all the problems, the 616th OBRP carried out the assigned tasks and defended the northern maritime borders of the country. Nevertheless, in the summer of 1995, the command decided to abandon the further operation of the last Utes complex. The Ministry of Defense disbanded the regiment, and by the end of the year the entire personnel went to the "mainland", leaving all the means of the missile system on the island.

The coast of the Kola Peninsula and about. Kildin shares a relatively narrow strait, which influenced the further fate of the remaining missile system. Hunters for scrap metal appeared on the island, who in a relatively short time managed to inflict critical damage on the "Cliff". In addition, the severe northern climate negatively affected the state of the complex. As a result, only the rusty remains of special equipment and crumbling structures with peeling paint remained on the island. A certain popularity among tourists visiting the island is the model of the P-35B rocket, which was used for training purposes. It is hardly worth clarifying that the condition of this product, as well as of the complex as a whole, leaves much to be desired.

Coastal missile systems "Utes" are distinguished by a difficult fate. The Object 101 complex did not survive the difficult nineties. "Object 100", in turn, suffered significant losses, but after a long downtime returned to service and again can solve the assigned tasks. Thanks to the specialists of the Black Sea Fleet, who returned it to work, the country again received a reliable means of protecting the southern sea borders. Having sufficiently high characteristics, the Crimean complex "Utes" can still continue to serve, complementing newer and more advanced systems.

The "Utes" mine coastal missile system division has been restored in Crimea.

"It is assumed that the revived complex will conduct several missile launches in order to prove its viability. In the future, it is planned to deploy a silo-based Bastion missile system on its base," the source said.

Let's remember the history of this missile system.

To protect the southern maritime borders and Sevastopol from the sea at the height of the Cold War, in 1954, high in the mountains near Balaklava, the world's first coastal underground missile system Sopka began to be created with a range of up to 100 km in the Black Sea.

The construction of "Object 100" (such a code was received by a secret construction site) was carried out by the 95th specialized department of underground operations of the Black Sea Fleet. The facility consisted of two identical underground complexes and launch sites, 6 km apart from each other. The military builders were led by the chief engineer of the Black Sea Fleet's construction department, Colonel A. Gelovani, the future deputy minister of defense, Marshal of the Engineering Troops. The head of construction of site No. 1 was captain A. Kuznetsov, site No. 2 - engineer A. Klyuev. The assembly operations from the "Era" enterprise were supervised by the engineer F. Karaka. Each construction site employed up to 1000 people.

At construction sites, launch sites and underground structures protected from nuclear weapons were erected from heat-resistant concrete, in which command posts, missile storage facilities and workshops for preparation and refueling were located. The missiles in the structures were on special technological carts with folded wings and moved to the starting positions by special mechanisms. The underground complex had full engineering support, diesel power plants, filtration and ventilation units, reserves of fuel, water and food, ensuring the vital activity of the facility when it is fully sealed after an atomic strike. Protected reinforced concrete bunkers were placed at the heads next to the starting positions to shelter the missiles removed from the launch site.

The guidance and fire control system of the Sopka complex included the Mys detection radar, a central post combined with the S-1M guidance radar and the Burun tracking radar. The Mys and Burun radar stations passed state tests in 1955. The Mys radar station is designed to detect sea targets and issue target data to the central post and was located at an altitude of more than 550 meters at Cape Aya.

At the end of 1956, the construction of Object 100 was practically completed, the personnel underwent special training. A separate coastal missile regiment was formed, which on February 23, 1957 was included in the forces of the fleet's combat core. The first commander of the regiment was Lieutenant Colonel G. Sidorenko (later Major General, Chief of the Coastal Forces and Marine Corps of the Black Sea Fleet). According to the test plan, the regiment carried out several rocket fires. The very first of them was held on June 5, 1957 in the presence of the commander of the Black Sea Fleet, Admiral V.A.Kasatonov. The launch was carried out from the second battery (commander Lieutenant V. Karsakov). The successful result heralded the emergence of a new kind of forces in the USSR Navy - coastal missile units.

On July 25, 1957, the state commission adopted the "Object 100". And at the beginning of 1959 the regiment was for the first time awarded the challenge prize of the Navy General Committee for rocket firing. On July 30, 1960, the regiment received its permanent name - 362nd Separate Coastal Missile Regiment (OBRP). During the operation of the Skala DBK from 1957 to 1965, the regiment made more than 25 practical missile launches.

On July 16, 1961, the Council of Ministers issued a decree on the rearmament of the Utes coastal stationary complexes from Sopka missiles to P-35B missiles. The re-equipment of the stationary "objects 100" and "101" from the Strela complexes to the newly created Utes complex was determined by this decree. The stationary coastal operational-tactical anti-ship missile system "Utes" was developed on the basis of the anti-ship missile P-35 and the mobile coastal complex "Redut" in OKB-52 (TsKBM) under the leadership of V.M. Chelomey. The complex "Utes" was adopted by the Resolution of the CM of April 28, 1973. The Utes complex was used to re-equip the units previously equipped with the Sopka complex.

The complex included: MRCTs-1 ("Success-U"), radar "Mys" with the "Password" identification system, control system, launchers, P-35 missiles, a complex of ground equipment. The Utes control system was created at NII-303, the rocket's main turbojet engine was developed at OKB-300. At Cape Aya, the second division of the 362nd OBRP was the first to re-equip in 1964. The main technical solutions for the Utes complex differed significantly from those previously implemented for the Strela complex, the launchers of which were extended horizontally from the rock adits. For the Utes, rotary two-container units weighing more than 30 tons were adopted, which were located in mines 20 m deep, and before launch were raised to a height of 6 m above the surface. Immediately before the start, containers with missiles were withdrawn at an angle of 15 °. All the main objects of the complexes were located in reinforced concrete structures buried in the rocky ground. In them, in the process of prelaunch preparation, the missiles were checked and refueled. In the process of the engine race, immediately before the start, directly on the launcher (as in the ship's SM-70), the rocket was refueled with fuel, which increased the firing range.

On September 16, 1964, the first batch of military builders of a special detachment of the Black Sea Fleet arrived at the regiment's location. The underground structures at the disposal of the regiment were subject to reconstruction to fit the dimensions of the new coastal missile system. The builders under the leadership of Captain A. Klimov, together with the personnel of the second division, began work. Prior to this, the former complex was completely dismantled.

Ten-meter missiles in a horizontal position with folded wings were stored on technological carts with launch units and, after prelaunch preparation and refueling with liquid fuel, were ready for launch. Paired launch containers extending from the ground made it possible to quickly reload new missiles.

Autonomous testing of ground equipment began in mid-1968 and lasted more than two years. On May 28, 1971, the first launch of the P-35 was carried out at a distance of about 200 km. Work in the first division was completed on February 25, 1972, and on April 17 of the following year, firing at the target of project 1784 at a distance of 217 km was successfully completed. On April 28, 1973, both divisions of the regiment entered service. 1978-1983 33 launches were performed, of which 30 were successful. The rearmament of the divisions of the 616th separate coastal missile regiment of the Northern Fleet on Kildin Island was completed in 1976 and in 1983. The launchers of the complex were placed in rock shelters. The launchers are generally similar to the "half" launchers of the Project 56 missile cruisers ("Grozny", "Admiral Golovko") - in the installation there are not 4 containers with anti-ship missiles, but two. Cruise missiles were delivered to launch sites through tunnels along guide rails on special platforms with electric motors.

The launchers were protected by massive steel covers, which moved to the side when launched. In a matter of minutes, the colossal design of the launcher appeared on the surface and could strike with two missiles. As part of "Object 100" there were two divisions, separated by a distance of 6 kilometers, each of which was armed with two launchers. In 1974, the modernization of coastal missile systems began for the Progress missile. In 1976, the regiment at Cape Aya performed six test launches. In 1982, the complex was modernized - a new missile 3M44 "Progress" was introduced into the complex. The production of missiles for coastal complexes was carried out from 1982 to 1987. Due to the large firing range, the battery of the "Utes" complex with external target designation can cover the coastline with a length of several hundred kilometers. A powerful high-explosive or nuclear warhead (350 kt) makes it possible to disable a ship of any class with one missile.

At the end of April 1972, after six test launches, the Object 100 was commissioned into the permanent readiness forces. On April 19, 1973, the first test shooting was successfully completed according to the combat training plan at a distance of 219 kilometers. 1986 became a record year in terms of the number of missile launches - 14, of which 10 were in target mode, and two were under the program of control-serial tests.

The regiment has repeatedly bore the title of excellent, was awarded the challenge Red Banners of the Military Councils of the Black Sea Fleet and the Navy for rocket firing at sea targets. In 1982, the regiment's name was inscribed on the marble plaque of honor at the Central Naval Museum.

The last time Object 100 launched a rocket was in September 1993, after which it was idle for several years. As part of the agreement on the division of the Black Sea Fleet in 1996, the complex was transferred to Ukraine. In 1997, the new owners were even able to make one training missile launch, after which the complex was actually destroyed.

After that, in the early 2000s, the division near the village of Oboronnoye was plundered and all the metal was removed from it. In 2002 the division was disbanded, in 2003-2004 the equipment was cut into metal. The other division was mothballed and, oddly enough, survived. In 2009, the Ukrainian Navy even made an attempt to restore it. Now this division is returned to the Coastal Missile and Artillery Forces of the Russian Navy!

In the fall of 2014, engineers and workers of the Black Sea Fleet missile and artillery repair plant restored the coastal missile division of the famous Sotka missile system, which is located near the village of Reserve.

A previously informed source said that the first silo-based Bastion coastal missile system could be deployed in Crimea by 2020.

"It will use both the currently existing anti-ship Yakhonts and the advanced missile variants that are currently being developed that will be capable of destroying any target located in the Black Sea," the source said.

According to him, the mine method of placing "Bastion" will significantly increase the combat stability of the complex.

"Stationary basing will make an irreversible retaliation strike against any ship that invades the territorial waters of the Russian Black Sea region," the agency's interlocutor emphasized.

He noted that the stationary Bastion will be able to use unmanned aerial vehicles and underwater sonar systems. The mine will be able to withstand excess pressure in the shock front with a force of up to 20 kgf / cm2.

The Bastion mobile coastal missile system with the 3M55 Yakhont unified supersonic homing anti-ship missile has been developed and manufactured by NPO Mashinostroyenia (part of the Tactical Missile Armament Corporation).

The Bastion complex is designed to protect the sea coast with a length of over 600 km and defeat surface ships of various classes and types operating as part of amphibious forces, convoys, ship and aircraft carrier strike groups, as well as single ships and ground radio-contrast targets in conditions of intense fire and radio-electronic counteraction.

Ammunition of one complex can include up to 36 Yakhont missiles. The missile has an over-the-horizon firing range. It implements the principle of "shoot - forget".

The Yakhont is capable of striking targets at a distance of 300 km and carrying a warhead weighing more than 200 kg. The missile is distinguished by full autonomy for combat use, high supersonic speed in all flight phases, the ability to choose different trajectories (low-altitude and combined), as well as complete unification for a wide range of sea, aviation and ground vehicles.

Photo 1.

After the collapse of the USSR, the legendary "weaving" was transferred several times to the subordination of one or another unit of the Ukrainian Navy. But no one was involved in the object, and this military unit fell into decay. Plundered blocks at the command post, cut cable routes with non-ferrous metal - such a legacy was inherited by Russian missilemen who appeared on the battery shortly after the events of the Crimean Spring. Therefore, restoring the fighting ability of the "Cliff" was a real technical feat. This task was entrusted to an officer who once commanded a battalion, and now works in a recovery team - reserve lieutenant colonel Yevgeny Lipko.

Photo 2.

It was very difficult to achieve this, - says the lieutenant colonel of the reserve Evgeniy Lipko. - But we, as obsessed, together with today's rocket scientists, have completed the task. I really wanted to hear the rocket thunder over the steep Crimean coast again and remember my officer's youth, when we fired rockets on a regular basis. Now we are continuing the repair work together with the specialists of NPO Mashinostroenie. They are professionals of the highest level. One of them is Doctor of Science, Captain 1st Rank Konstantin Pogorelov. We hope that now, as in the past, the rockets' autographs of the "Cliff" will appear in the Crimean sky, protecting the peaceful life of the inhabitants of the peninsula.

Photo 3.

Lipko showed metal hanging bunks anchored in the walls of the underground corridors. It turns out that at one time they were removed from the decommissioned cruiser "Slava", and thanks to them, during combat duty, the division turned into a ship on the shore, only with a higher combat readiness. The rocketeers were here around the clock - they slept underground in the corridors cut down by the creators of the "weave" in the rocky ground. They carried real combat duty here when NATO ships entered the Black Sea. And each of the intruders was, as they say, at gunpoint. Missiles and missilemen were in readiness for immediate action. So it was during the demarche of the newest ships of the US Navy - the cruiser Yorktown and the destroyer Caron, which were ousted by our two patrol ships, which were significantly inferior in displacement and armament to the American ones.

Photo 4.

Together with the commander of the Utes battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Sergei Slesarev, we walked through the adit to the launcher, past the cruise missiles hidden in the storage. They found the moment when powerful lifting devices slowly but surely pushed the launcher upward for a test launch of the cruise missile engine. The main engine hums and blows out a powerful jet of air.

The first firing in modern history was carried out by the rockets of the "Utes" within a few months after the entry of Sevastopol and Crimea into the Russian Federation. Ever since the days of the USSR, each rocket firing was marked by the appearance of a five-pointed star on the container lid, and now a tricolor Russian one has appeared on the launcher next to the red stars.

Photo 5.

Missiles 3M44 "Progress", thanks to their long firing range with external target designation, can cover the coastline with a length of several hundred kilometers, - said in the recent past the deputy chief of the coastal forces of the Black Sea Fleet, Captain 1st Reserve Rank Sergei Gross. - The Progress missiles, although not new, as, say, at the modern Bal or Bastion coastal missile systems, are very reliable. The powerful high-explosive or special warhead of the Progress missile will disable a ship of any class with one missile.

Photo 6.

Near the starting position, in a high-mountain forest, a small military town is lost, where everything is thought out for a comfortable life for missilemen. The barracks are quite spacious here, the beds are in one tier. There is a recreation room for personnel with a large plasma TV, a huge chess table, a household room equipped with everything you need. The new issue of the wall newspaper, which is published by the senior sailor of the contract service, Yulia Vasilyeva, is in its place.

Despite the remoteness of our division, it is staffed with contract soldiers by 80 percent, ”says Lieutenant Colonel Sergei Slesarev. - This is a high percentage. And all of them are real professionals.

Photo 7.

Photo 8.

Photo 9.

sources

This year my vacation fell on the first half of August, and I could not refuse the offer of old acquaintances to take part in another exciting trip to the northern regions of the European part of our country - this time not only to Murmansk, but also to Arkhangelsk regions.
The main point of the program was a four-day visit to the island of Kildin in the Barents Sea - probably, this adventure should be told in its entirety, in a separate entry - but it's more convenient for me to do it later in order to be able to provide links to scattered material on specific points of observation.

And in this post I would like to show you what is left of the two divisions of the Utyos anti-ship coastal missile system - a large-scale and almost unique object of military history, built in the 50s of the XX century. Almost - because a similar complex was also built on the Black Sea, and, fortunately, is still in operation.
And here, in the north, his days are numbered, but the state of the structures is still of interest.

The photo shows a mass-dimensional model of the P-35 cruise anti-ship missile. It was for such missiles that the complex was designed in the last years of its life, after another modernization in the 80s, and until 1995, when the missile regiment left the island.

To protect the sea coast on the approaches to the Kola Peninsula, in 1955, a coastal underground missile complex with a range of up to 100 km, called Object 101, began to be created on Zapadny Kildin. A similar "Object 100" began to be built in 1954 near Sevastopol. In 1957, the 616th separate coastal missile regiment (mbrp) was formed and a new infrastructure began to be created to support the life and activities of the regiment. In fact, the 616 brigade became a “city-forming” enterprise on Kildino for many years. The missile system has been modernized several times during its service. In 1995, 616 brigade left Kildin. Together with him, a whole era of the development of the island went down in history ... More details can be found here http://www.kildin.ru/616.html
In the review under the cut - pictures of the territories of two divisions: underground launchers, a command post and a diesel power plant, as well as the remnants of a rocket.

There is a lot of material, so the pictures are small - but you can poke each one and view it in the album.

In Soviet times, the military did not spare funds and efforts for the development and construction of an incredible variety of structures, and they practically did not have boundaries for these means, as well as resources. But there was a big and important goal - to place the infrastructure so that it would be more difficult for a potential enemy to notice and reconnoiter.
Therefore, everything that is possible and that is not allowed was hidden under the ground - including in hot deserts, gloomy swamps and the northern tundra. Mother Earth will endure everything, and solid granite will crack one way or another under the onslaught of army efforts.
I remember how 6 years ago I was impressed by the military roads for missile carriers near Kozelsk (Kaluga region) - straight, wide, laid either across (and through) high hills, then along man-made embankments up to the level of the tops of trees ... "two soldiers from construction battalions are replacing an excavator "- but I could not even imagine that roads on soft ground are simple and usual, and somewhere in the north there are extensive underground shelters and warehouses, cut in stone.

We decided to devote the first day to inspecting the eastern division - the farthest from our parking point (in the village of Verkhniy Kildin). We had to walk about 7 kilometers in each direction - the relief of the island is hilly, so it took more time for a walk than it takes to overcome similar distances around the city.

We walked to the western division the next day - it turned out to be much closer to go, and the weather was happy again. In general, we were lucky with the weather - it rained only on the evening of arrival on the island, but on the following days the sun spoiled us, the thunderstorm avoided us, and the fogs delighted us.

Each division includes two twin launchers, associated underground storage and technical facilities, as well as a diesel power plant and a command post. In the eastern (far) position, the command post is better preserved than in the western (near) position, but the diesel one is on the contrary. The condition of the launchers is about the same, but a whole crowd of transport carts have survived in the near battalion.
Therefore, the post contains pictures from both sites - with the loss of chronology, but with an attempt to preserve the logic of the inspection.

From a distance, each site looks like a faintly visible group of small buildings, to which there are roads marked with barrels. Once upon a time, a long pole protruded from each barrel - this so that the road could be seen even when it was covered with snow.

What's left of the checkpoint

The elements of the site are quite scattered on the ground - first of all, the gaze falls on the hills with the bases of the antennas sticking out above them. Once upon a time, radar petals were deployed on these bases, but they were dragged away to metal.
There is a lot of metal here, but nevertheless there are ferrymen (they work in agreement with the warriors), so the objects of inspection disappear over time.

Inside each mound is a small room, dull and empty

Here you can also see a large number of such hatches, under which there are small cameras with outputs and cable connections

And on the site you can find such a firing point - and in combination, an emergency exit from the command post

Inside the more preserved command post, there is considerable destruction, and the situation is gloomy - someone tore apart the equipment and burned cables right on the spot, which is why the walls and ceilings are covered with soot

The command post is a long corridor with rooms on one side of it

The ventilation system is best preserved.

And even here, in absolute darkness, something is trying to grow - albeit from shit

Main entrance-exit from the control room

The next object of inspection is diesel.
A free-standing underground structure is distinguished by its characteristic ground elements - air intake and exhaust ventilation shafts.

Inside - flooded and destroyed, but very cool

In the closet at the very entrance: bed, urn, guitar ...

The transition between the control room and the generator room - the water level above and around the raised floor is visible

Diesel engines of 0.5 megawatts heavily disassembled - metal hunters removed the copper

And an emergency exit through the ventilation mine (the flooding level is visible - along the upper handle of the pressurized room)

Well, the main links of the sites are, of course, the launchers. As I already wrote, they are doubles, and there are two pairs in each division. Outside, the launcher is covered with a lid that could slide off to the side

On the distant battalion, one of the covers began to be cut into metal - and it collapsed inward. Now the "metalworkers" dump garbage there, it looks disgusting, but the launcher itself is visible - once it could rise from there at the required angle, and also change direction in a full circle

You can, of course, go straight there and get off - but it's better to use the civilized entrance

There is a garage behind the right gate.

One of these garages even has a car.

But the garage is of little interest to us - so we go to the main room. There is water and fog emitted by a snowdrift melting in the middle of the hall

Can you imagine - a snowdrift in August? Great. I think it will never melt here - in winter it will only fill up again.

Behind the side doors of the first compartment are all sorts of technical rooms, switchboards and ventilation remains

A bunch of aggregates associated with high pressure

But the most interesting are the main halls, where the missiles were stored before launch. These halls are cut off from the outside world by powerful doors

Tricky niches can be seen on the floor and in the wall - these are devices for rolling empty carts to the end of the line

Well, the carts, of course. They are of two types - massive for supplying loaded missiles to the launcher, and smaller ones for transportation and storage. There are only a couple of them in this bunker.

But in a bunker near another launcher, you can assemble a whole train of them

Here comes the twin launcher

The other is different in color

Small local diesel - in one starting state its terrible

And here is a launcher with a collapsed lid

Here you can see another protective door, which is partially extended.

This door is capable of sliding into a niche behind the wall, completely freeing the passage. This niche here: the compressed air cylinders are located here.

Another curious two-level room - pumping room

Somewhere such a gas van has survived

This photo shows where the snowdrift comes from - it is swept through the skylight in the roof of the outer compartment.

Finally, let's get out into the light and inspect the area. Here you can find booster blocks from rockets