naval warfare 3rd WW, battle for the Mediterranean (Cold war period)

[Jaroslav]

http://ww.russianwarrior.com/Images/su-fl.gif

History, Development, and Use of the SA-4 'Ganef'  / 2K11 Krug Air Defense Missile System

http://ww.russianwarrior.com/Images/ru-flag1.gif

 

 

 

This section will cover the history, development, and use of the SA-4 'Ganef' air defense system. In this section you will find where the vehicle has been used, when it was designed, its limitations and abilities, and how the weapon functions.	Operational History Tactics and Limitations Deployment History Sources Cited
	Back to the SA-4 'Ganef' / 2K11 'Krug'  Main Page

 

Brief Operational History

The SA-4 'Ganef' was designed to give Soviet armored formations a degree of anti-aircraft protection that could advance with them.  The SA-1 'Grail' and SA-2 'Guideline' missiles were not mobile and the SA-3 'Goa' was best described as movable, not mobile, as its emplacement time was very long.  The SA-4 'Ganef' filled this gap and gave medium to high altitude protection to the formations they were attached to.

Its development began in 1958 under the direction of L. V. Lyul'yev.  Unlike many Soviet vehicles of the time, the SA-4 'Ganef' tractor-erector-launcher was not based on an existing vehicle system.  It was a completely new design that consisted of tracked armored chassis with a hydraulically powered turntable that carries the two anti-aircraft missiles.  The driver sits on the left side of the vehicle and and has a hatch with two periscopes so that he can drive while 'buttoned up'.  The engine is placed to the left of the driver in the front of the vehicle.  Also at the front is a splash guard at the front of the vehicle to make river fording easier.  The remainder of the vehicle is devoted to fire control crew and electronic equipment.  These crewmembers enter and leave the vehicle by using two hatches, one on either side of the missile turntable.

The vehicle uses torsion bar suspension and has seven road wheels with the drive sprocket at the front.  It has four track return rollers and a set of hydraulic shock absorbers on the last set of road wheels.  The unique chassis was soon adopted to other roles - as a minelayer and as an artillery tractor for the M-1973 howitzer.  All versions of this chassis were equipped with an NBC overpressure system, an infrared  night vision system, but no amphibious capability.  It is also easily transported by the AN-22 'Cock' transport aircraft.

The SA-4 'Ganef' made its first appearance at a parade in 1964, and limited production began in 1967.  The program soon ran into a number of major problems that delayed its full deployment until 1969.  This version was known as the 2K11.  It used the 3M8, 3M8M, and 3M8M2 anti-aircraft missiles.  An improved version called the 2K11-M entered service in 1973.  It used only the 3M8M2 air defense missile.

The missiles themselves are powered by a liquid fueled ramjet sustainer motor and four solid fuel boosters.  When fired, the missile's four boosters ignite to get it to a speed where the main motor can operate.  The missile is armed when it travels 300 meters from the launcher, it then follows a radar guidance beam to its target.  It switches over to its own semi-active terminal guidance system on the terminal phase of target interception.  The missile is also tracked from the ground by a continuous wave radar transponder located in one of the missile's tail fins.  Modern versions of the weapon also are equipped with an electro-optical fire control system to aid in target interception in heavy ECM situations.

The SA-4 'Ganef' has been exported to East Germany, Czechoslovakia, and Egypt.  Although the Egyptian systems were returned to the Soviet Union sometime before the 1973 Yom Kippur war.

  

Tactical Use and Limitations

The SA-4 was designed to be a mobile part of a multi-layered defense system that also encompassed the SA-2 'Guideline' and SA-6 missile systems.  It would be deployed as a brigade attached to a larger force.  The brigade would be comprised of three SA-4 battalions and a headquarters section.  Each battalion has three Ganef batteries, eight ZU-23 or ZSU-23-4 air defense guns, a technical battalion with a Long Track and Thin Skin radar system.  Each battery is equipped with a Pat Hand radar, three SA-4 launchers, and four Ural-375 reload vehicles.  The SA-4 battery is designed to operate 10 to 25 kilometers behind the FEBA (forward edge of battle area).  The system is air transportable in the AN-22 Cock aircraft.

When engaging a target, the incoming aircraft is first acquired by the Long Track radar.  Altitude information is provided by the Thin Skin radar.  This information will be forwarded to the battery which uses its own (H band) Pat Hand radar for the final firing guidance.  Once fired the missile uses semi-active radar homing data to find its target.

The system is limited in that the TEL (tractor-erector-launcher) does not mount its own on board radar, as was done on more modern anti-aircraft missile systems.  It is also vulnerable to ECM and suppressive fires. 

 

 

Deployment Chronology

Here you can see what vehicles the SA-4 'Ganef' replaced and what vehicles eventually replaced it.  You can find out more about each weapon if we have them on our site by clicking on the links below.

The SA-4 'Ganef' replaced...	SA-4 'Ganef'	The SA-4 'Ganef' was replaced by...
Nothing, was first truly mobile SAM system used by the USSR		SA-12 'Gladiator/Giant' Air Defense System

 

 

Sources Cited Here are some of the most informative sources that we have used in compiling this information for you.  We hope you can find them as useful as we have. (1) Janes Land Based Air Defense 1997-98, edited by Chris Foss, Copyright 1997, Jane's Publishing Ltd. (2) Janes Armor and Artillery 1981-82, edited by Chris Foss, Copyright 1981 Jane's Publishing Ltd (3) FM-100-2-3, The Soviet Army, Headquarters Department of the Army, July, 1984.   http://ww.russianwarrior.com/STMMain.htm?1969vehicle_sa4history.htm&1

[Jaroslav]

An intelligence assessment of a mobile surface-to-air (SAM) missile carried aboard a truck in the Red Square May Day Military Parade.
 

This montage of photographs of the declassified UK Ministry of Defence intelligence assessment published in DEFE 44/173 is available to view in The National Archives, Kew, London. The image has been stitched together from every page in the report.
 

The report dated 1968, was created by the UK Ministry of Defence based on intelligence, personal observation by Allied embassy military attachés, and photographs taken of equipment seen in a Moscow Red Square May Day Military Parade, and possibly other intelligence sources.
 

The National Archives file is no longer classified and is in the public domain. UK Crown Copyright expired after 50 years.

[Stuart Galbraith]

Wouldnt surprise me if some of the details from that came from Tamarisk.

[Jaroslav]

14. Installations and conditions influencing the operation.
      a. Port capacities.
               The port capacities in the DODECANESE are unknown but 
are certain to be inadequate. The only port of any importance 
is RHODES. The total capacity of the ports in CRETE is 3400 
tons per day. Of this total, the assault should gain two 
or three ports with a probable combined capacity of 750 
tons per day. In each case therefore it is clear that a 
large portion of the supplies and personnel must be landed 
over the beaches.
 
     b. Beaches.
               For both the DODECANESE and CRETE the landing beaches 
appear to be sufficient for the operation as planned.
 
     c. Coast defenses.
               In the case of RHODES and SCARPANT0, there are numerous 
coast defense guns dominating all approaches to the islands. 
Exact data is not available for CRETE but it is reasonable 
to assume that all landing beaches are heavily protected by 
Coast defense installations.
 
     d. Airfields.
               In the DODECANESE there are three airdromes on RHODES, 
and one each on SCARPANTO, KOS, LEROS, and SAMOS. On CRETE 
there are eight airdromes and at least nine well dispersed 
fighter strips. So far as landing fields and installations 
are concerned, the AXIS can operate a strong defensive air 
force from both the DODECANESE and CRETE.
 
     e. Anti-aircraft defenses.
               In the DODECANESE it is assumed, and in CRETE it is 
known, that there is Ample anti-aircraft defense for the 
airdromes.
 
     f. Railroads.
     There are no railroads either on the DODECANESE or on
CRETE.
 

http://docs.fdrlibrary.marist.edu/psf/box5/t57e12.html

[Jaroslav]

-104 

An Italian Air Force F-104 shadows a Soviet Tu-16 Badger over the Adriatic Sea in the 1980s. (All images: Italian Air Force).

F-104 Starfighter Pilot Recalls His Life Intercepting Soviet Bombers During the Cold War

As many of you will remember, last week we published an interesting story that included rare photographs of NATO fighter jets taken from Soviet bombers and maritime patrol aircraft intercepted during the Cold War. Although of poor quality, because they were manly taken in 1970s with the analogue cameras, the shots show the close encounters between Tu-95RT over-the-horizon targeting platforms and U.S. Navy F-4 Phantoms, F-14 Tomcats and also P-3s, USAF F-4s based in Iceland, RAF Phantom GR.1s, and also RNoAF (Royal Norwegian Air Force) F-104 Starfighter.

The success the article had among our readers and the subsequent discussions on social media brought to my mind some other interesting photographs I obtained years ago while preparing an article fo Air Forces Monthly and Aeronautica & Difesa, images depicting Italian Air Force F-104s flying along side Soviet or Libyan aircraft in the Adriatic, Ionian or Tyrrhenian Sea.

Once again, the quality is not even comparable to the digital shots taken nowadays since the majority of these photographs were taken with hand-held cameras, whose films were developed then copied many times for release. However, they are extremely interesting, because, as a sort-of time machine, they give us a glimpse at the types, color schemes, markings used by the jets in that period.

During the Cold War, Libyan MiGs and the Tupolev aircraft, along with Soviet bombers, maritime patrol, surveillance and reconnaissace, as well as transport aircraft wearing the red star, regularly transited through the Otranto Channel (the waters of the Southern Adriatic Sea in front of Albania) causing the frequent Alpha Scrambles (Alert Scrambles) of the F-104S Starfighter aircraft of the Aeronautica Militare (Italian Air Force) in QRA (Quick Reaction Alert) service.

A fully tooled up F-104 of the 12° Gruppo. (Image credit: Italian Air Force)

The Italian fighter squadrons that in those years were tasked with the QRA service were mainly two: the 12° Gruppo (Squadron) of the 36° Stormo (Wing) at Gioia del Colle Air Base and the 10° Gruppo of the 9° Stormo at Grazzanise. Equipped with an average of 12 aircraft, both could count on the contribution of the alarm cells provided by the squadrons in the northern part of Italy: these rotated at Sigonella and Trapani Birgi, before the latter became the permanent base for the NODA, Nucleo Operativo Difesa Aerea (Air Defence Operative Group), and then the 37° Stormo (still based there and equipped with the Eurofighter Typhoon).

For my story I published in 2001 on Air Forces Monthly magazine, I had the opportunity to speak to Col. Agrusti who in 1987, as second lieutenant, joined the the 12th Gruppo as an F-104 pilot. Here’s what he recalled to me:

“I arrived at Gioia from the 20th Gruppo of Grosseto in February 1987. At the time, the Gruppo at that time flew with F104s in the S modified version the one able to the launch of the AIM-7 Sparrow missile. The pilots were distributed between the 73rd, 89th and 90th Squadriglia (Flight). The newly assigned achieved the LCR, Limited Combat Readiness after 96 flight hours and then the FCR, Full Combat Readiness (the full combat capability), following 120 flight hours on the aircraft.”

That part of the training, up to the achievement of the FCR, was important to put the pilot’s ability to take off within 5 minutes from the alert scramble order.

An Italian F-104 shadows a Soviet Badger. (Image credit: ItAF)

“In the Squadron, besides training pilots, there was also an alert team. The simulated Scrambles, that were more common than the real ones, were kicked off by the sound of a simulated siren (as opposed to the “real” siren sound that was continuous). In 1987, the squadron shared the emergency shifts with Grazzanise. We were tasked alternate days with the 10th Gruppo: for example, they did even days, we did the odd days. The alert cell had to guarantee a pair of aircraft ready for take off in five minutes and a pair set aside that had 25 minutes to be ready to take off in five minutes, hence the “ready in 30” status. Similarly, the stand-by Squadron had to prepare two aircraft capable of taking off in two hours from the order. Practically, we were on call every day, because even on days that we were on stand-by, we had to guarantee readiness .”

 

Every alert cell was made up of two aircraft, two pilots (leader and wingman), four specialists, two weapon crews and one driver. The equipment was placed in an alert building, a separate building with a small conference floor, tables and TV and obviously bedrooms. There were three of these: one for the armament crews and driver, one for the crew chiefs and one for the pilots.

In the pilot’s room, there were two telephones, one for internal communication, and one for direct access to the COC, Combat Operation Center.

The COC had a key role in the economy of the intercepting group that had to:

• When possible, give warning of the Scramble;
• Accurately provide meteorological variations on the base;
• Give information on the status of the NAVAIDS (radioaids to navigation), runway, light, barriers;
• Notify on eventual variations of emergency conditions;
• Update on the weather at the alternate airfields.

“At the sound of the siren, everything had follow a routine in which nothing was left to chance, otherwise, being able to take off within the “five minutes” is truly an impossible mission. I have seen training pilots take off after ten minutes because one of the routine steps was missed during a Scramble!”.

After leaving the alert building, the pilots would run towards the aircraft shelters. Usually, the F-104s were in the shelters next to the Gruppo, so they rarely had to use a van, and the closest fighter between the two would give the right of way to the leader.

A Tu-16K Badger flying close to the Italian airspace, photographed by an ItAF F-104.

“The aircraft in the shelters had already been checked and positioned in such a way that all idle flight gear would be in the correct position. After carrying out the “five fingers” in the morning at the beginning of the shift, (using the five fingers of the hand, the chief crew carries out a series of visual controls) I would position the SECUMAR on the ladder, the skull cap placed on top of the cockpit, and gloves, one on the right and one on the left.”

Since in the case of take off there would not be enough time to carry out many checks, the morning inspection would also include a radar and equipment check, particularly the AIM-7 or Aspide, that consisted of “lock-on tests” carried out to various positions of the throttle. The generator would also be turned on to 28V so as to warm up the LN3 platform.

The cockpit of the latest operational variant of the F-104: the F-104S/ASA-M. (Image credit: Author).

The main rule of the Scramble was DON’T HARM YOURSELF, therefore it was important to be well-timed without compromising your own and other’s safety.

As soon as entering the cockpit the “starter was given”, the helmet was worn and the mask was put on, we would strap on the Martin Baker and we would make sure the specialists had already pumped air into the compressor. We immediately carried on a radio check which was to be on the UHF Squadron frequency and we then contacted the Control Tower so as to be given priority take off. With a little increase in thrust, essential for overcoming the inertia of the aircraft, we began taxing while checks took place.

We always took off from runway 14R, which was not the closest to the shelters. This was because 14L, which had to be crossed to reach the 14R, was not used as it was not equipped with Bliss Black barrier.

Timing of the take off was calculated from the sound of the siren to the time that the aircraft released its breaks to start take off roll. The rule was that the first aircraft to arrive at the runway, would take off first, regardless to whether it was the leader or wingman: what mattered was the results of the team. Immediately after take off, the Approach was contacted via radio, followed by the GCI, the (Guida Caccia, Ground Controlled Interception) fighter controller, on a “taboo” frequency, recognized by the crew. If the mission was for ID (Identification), the target was reached in the least amount of time possible. The leader went into “shadowing”, hence, followed the intruder to determine its altitude, its speed, its heading, type of aircraft, its nationality and its serial, to then communicate it to the CRC.

Despite wearing a civilian registration this An-22 was operated by the military transport arm of the Soviet Air Force. The “Cock” was often used to deliver aicraft to Libya and Algeria.

“It was very hard to read the serial number of a Soviet Bear in flight at 45,000 ft. at 0.5 Mach. In such cases, it was extremely important to maintain the aircraft nose up, at low speed and with the shaker operating (it’s a method that makes the control stick vibrate to warn the pilot of the impending pre-stall, and followed by the kicker, which automatically pushes the bar so as to avoid stalling). At night time, although all these aircraft had all their lights on, (otherwise, it would have seemed as a clear act of hostility which would have been responded with fire) being able to copy the serial number of the zombie was really very complicated”.

Most of the time, the CRC required a photograph of the intruder so for this reason, pilots took with them a photographic camera in their left pocket of their flight suit, at leg level so that if one of them were to abort the mission for technical reasons, the other one could bring back an image for the Intelligence Officer. It was placed in the left pocket because the right hand could never be removed from the stick.

The Il-76 “Candid” was another transport aircraft often met by Italian fighters in the International airspace.

“At the time, there were lots of comings and goings of Russian made aircraft of all types that crossed the Otranto Channel to identify the aircraft by request of the SOC that consistently revealed to be “May”, “Candid”, “Blinder”, or even “Bear”. Once, a Tu-16 “Badger” tried to frighten me by turning its tail machine gunner towards me and took a photograph, but, this type of jokes, although rather common, were not considered hostile acts and did not require an armed response. These encounters were full of pressure, but they were carried out with extreme respect from both sides.”

The Tu-16 flew in many specialized variants providing reconnaissance, maritime surveillance, electronic support missions to both Soviet Air Force and Naval Aviation and for this reason the “Badger” was one of the most frequent “zombies” intercepted by the Italian F-104s.

In this post you can find some photographs of Soviet and Libyan aircraft intercepted by the Italian Air Force in 1980s. Among them, there are some of Libyan Tu-22s, taken by the 12° Gruppo on Sept. 20, 1983 (and later released by the 5° Reparto of the Italian Air Force Staff) and show some Tu-22B Blinders flying next to the Italian airspace off Otranto. The Libyan Blinders (whose exact number is not clear with data reporting from 7 to 18 planes) were supersonic bombers based at Okba Ben Nafi Air Base (currently Mitiga, prior to June 1970, known as Wheelus Air Base and used by the USAF) that were used in combat against Tanzania in 1979 and Chad in the ’80s, during the Chadian-Libyan conflict. Air-to-air photographs of Libyan Tu-22s are quite rare.

A famous scan from slide showing two Tu-22s escorted by the Italian F-104s over the Strait of Otranto in 1983. (Image credit: ItAF)

 

https://theaviationist.com/2020/06/16/f-104-starfighter-pilot-recalls-his-life-intercepting-soviet-bombers-during-the-cold-war/

[Jaroslav]

[Jaroslav]

[Jaroslav]

[Jaroslav]

[Jaroslav]

[Jaroslav]

Standard missiles in non US Mediterranean NATO navies:

 

Spain:

Santa Maria-class frigates (Oliver Hazard Perry modification) - 6 ships in service from 1986-1994 with SM-1MR (RIM-66B).

Baleares-class frigates (F70) (based on the American Knox) - 5 ships with SM-1MR (RIM-66B), in service from 1974-1976 to 2004-2009.

 

Italy:

Andrea Doria-class helicopter cruisers - 2 ships in service from 1964 to 1991, SM-1ER received at least 1 ship after modernization in the late 1970s.

Helicopter cruiser Vittorio Veneto - the ship was in service from 1969 to 2003, the SM-1ER was received during the modernization of 1981-1984.

Audace-class destroyers - 2 ships in service from 1972 to 2006, in the course of service they were modernized for SM-1MR (RIM-66E).

Impavido-class destroyers - 2 ships in service from 1963-1964 with the Tartar air defense system, have been modernized for SM-1MR u razdoblju 1974.-1977., povučena iz službe 1991.-1992.

 

France:

Kassar-class destroyers - 2 ships in service from 1988 to 1991.

The T 47 class destroyers, 4 of 12 ships built between 1955 and 1957, were equipped in the early 1960s with Tartar air defense systems, and in the 1970s these ships were upgraded to the SM-1MR; in 1982-1983, two ships were decommissioned, and the air defense equipment from them was used to equip Kassar-class destroyers, in 1987-1988, the remaining two destroyers were also withdrawn from the fleet, their Mk 13 launchers were to be installed on two more planned Kassar-class destroyers, but in the late 1980s the program for the construction of new destroyers was terminated.

https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/SM-1

https://www.seaforces.org/marint/first.htm

Edited December 7, 2025 by Jaroslav

[Jaroslav]

The weapon system and its operation on the Cassard-class frigates

The weapon system on these frigates operates with the RIM-66, and its detection and targeting equipment is more recent than the original systems, but its operation remains similar. The total mass of a Tartar system is approximately 450 tons. The weapon system on the Cassard-class includes a DRBJ11 3D radar that provides target detection and targeting. This radar is multifunctional and multi-target capable, and it can be paired with another surveillance radar, the PBRV26. This system covers an area with a radius of 366 km. Thanks to the ship's integrated combat system, targets are prioritized based on factors such as speed and direction. When the aircraft enters a 50-kilometer radius (the SM1-MR has a range of approximately 50 km, while the RIM-24 only reached 30 km), the Mk13 launcher fires its missile and immediately reloads using a vertical magazine containing 40 missiles (38 full cells, one empty, and one for the test missile). The Tartar system has a firing rate of one missile every 8 to 10 seconds and can track two targets simultaneously. The missile travels toward its target, continuously guided by one of two illuminators linked to the SPG-51C tracking radars (hence the requirement of engaging two targets simultaneously). However, there are two additional firing methods: To give the equipped vessel more time, it is possible to fire the missiles before hostile aircraft (or missiles) enter the 50 km range. In this case, it is assumed that the targets will be within this range before the missile reaches its maximum range. [to be verified] When a large number of enemies are detected, it is possible to fire SM-1 MR missiles at a rate of one every 5 seconds in the estimated direction of the enemy using the Mk13 directional launcher. The SM-1 MRs are only guided to the target by the ship when they are close to it. This allows, with two radars, for the acquisition of a new target every fifteen (or 5) seconds with thirty (or 10) seconds of attention per target. Thus, if all the targets are located in a small area, the restrictions due to launch and guidance are reduced. This technique has major drawbacks: if the targets disperse, there is a high probability of the missile being lost without reaching its target and, above all, the time required to deal with a threat is significantly reduced. [unknown on Tartar BLMs]

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/RIM-66_Standard

[Jaroslav]

U.S. DoD designations for SA-N series naval surface-to-air missiles, with Soviet designations. Note that these are not standard NATO names, NATO uses the regular SA series for naval SAMS also, however the US DoD refers to them by these names:

SA-N-1 Goa (4К90 Volna) [SA-3]

SA-N-2 Guideline (М-2 Volkhov-M) [SA-2]

SA-N-3 Goblet (4K60/4K65 Shtorm)

SA-N-4 Gecko (9M33 Osa-M) [SA-8]

SA-N-5 Grail (9K32 Strela-2) [SA-7]

SA-N-6 Grumble (S-300F Fort) [SA-10]

SA-N-7 Gadfly (9M38/9M38M Uragan)[2] [SA-11]

SA-N-8 Gremlin" (9K34 Strela-3) [SA-14]

SA-N-9 Gauntlet (3K95 Kinzhal) [SA-15]

SA-N-10 Grouse (3M38 Igla) [SA-18]

SA-N-11 Grison (3M87 Kashtan) [SA-19]

SA-N-12 Grizzly (3K37 Smerch/Shtil) [SA-17]

SA-N-14 Grouse (9K38 Igla) [SA-18]

SA-N-20 Gargoyle (S-300FM) [SA-20]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NATO_reporting_names_for_surface-to-air_missiles

[Jaroslav]

Variants

Designation	Block	Platform	Notes
RIM-66A	SM-1MR Block I to IV	Digital Tartar	In service 1967, Conscan radar seeker. SM-1MR Block IV was the main production variant. All rebuilt into Block V missiles. ECCM improvements Reduced minimum range Shortened acquisition time for surface targets
RIM-66B	SM-1MR Block V	Digital Tartar	Replaced the RIM-24C Plane scanning seeker Faster-reacting autopilot MK 90 blast-fragmentation warhead Aerojet MK 56 dual-thrust rocket motor
RIM-66E	SM-1MR Blocks VI, VIA, VIB	Digital Tartar and Mk 92 Fire Control System.	In service 1983. Version still in service with export customers. Monopulse seeker developed for SM-2 Introduced MK 45 MOD 4 proximity fuze (also known as TDD - Target Detection Device) MK 115 warhead of SM-2 MK 45 MOD 6 and MK 45 MOD 7 proximity fuzes in Block VIA (RIM-66E-5) and Block VIB (RIM-66E-6) respectively

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RIM-66_Standard

[Jaroslav]

Which version did French navy used?

Spain used RIM-66B, Italy RIM-66E and RIM-67A.

My guess is that France used RIM-66B variant but I am not sure

[Jaroslav]

6 minutes ago, Jaroslav said:

Which version did French navy used?

Spain used RIM-66B, Italy RIM-66E and RIM-67A.

My guess is that France used RIM-66B variant but I am not sure

This source says:

...

1 système RIM-66 Standard-E, 40 missiles SM-1 Block VI

...

The SM-1 MR Block VI, RIM-66E, was the last version of this series. It entered service in 1983 with the U.S. Navy and export customers. The RIM-66E was used by all ships that still had the equipment of the RIM-24 Tartar system, which had been continuously kept up to date with new threats, such as the Oliver Hazard Perry class frigates and the French Cassard-class missile frigates.

...

https://franco.wiki/fr/RIM-66_Standard.html

Edited December 7, 2025 by Jaroslav

[Jaroslav]

ТТХ

Система	SM-1 Medium Range	SM-1 Extended Range	SM-2 Medium Range	SM-2 Extended Range	SM-3	SM-6 ERAM
Вариант	RIM-66E	RIM-67A	RIM-66M	RIM-156A	RIM-161B	RIM-174
Длина	4,41 м	7,90 м	4,72 м	6,55 м	6,60 м	6,55 м
Стартовый вес	630 кг	1340 кг	708 кг	1466 кг	1501 кг	1500 кг
Диаметр	0,34 м	0,34 м	0,34 м	0,53 м	0,34 м
Размах крыла	1,08 м	1,60 м	1,08 м	1,08 м	1,57 м
Двигатель	одноступенчатый РДТТ	двухступенчатый РДТТ	одноступенчатый РДТТ	двухступенчатый РДТТ	трёхступенчатый РДТТ
Дальность	45 км	65 км	167 км	240 км	500+ км	240 км
Высота	24 км	24 км	24+ км	33 км	> 247 км	33 км
Скорость	М2+	М2+	М3,5	М3,5	9600 км/ч	М3,5
Система управления	ПАРЛ	ПАРЛ, ИНС	ПАРЛ, ИНС, ИК	ПАРЛ, ИНС	ГНСС, ИНС, ИК	ИНС, АРЛ
Боевая часть	62 кг Стержневая	62 кг Стержневая	113 кг Осколочная	113 кг Осколочная	LEAP (кинетический перехватчик)	кинетическая или осколочная Mk 125
Пусковая установка	Mk 13	Mk 10	Mk 13 / Mk 26 / Mk 41	Mk 41 (вертикальная, Иджис)	Mk 41	Mk 41
На вооружении, с	1983	1969	1981	1998	Испытания с 2004	Планируется с 2011 Испытания с 2008
Стоимость единицы	601 500 USD	409 000 USD	421 400 USD	k.A.	~990 000 USD

• В таблицу не включены ТТХ ракеты AGM-78 Standard ARM, которая так же относится к семейству «Стандарт», хотя и не получила индекса SM. AGM-78 — противорадиолокационная ракета воздушного базирования дальнего действия, использовалась американским военно-морским флотом и американскими военно-воздушными силами во время войны во Вьетнаме.

https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/ЗУР_семейства_«Стандарт»

[Jaroslav]

9 hours ago, Jaroslav said:

Standard missiles in non US Mediterranean NATO navies:

 

Spain:

Santa Maria-class frigates (Oliver Hazard Perry modification) - 6 ships in service from 1986-1994 with SM-1MR (RIM-66B).

Baleares-class frigates (F70) (based on the American Knox) - 5 ships with SM-1MR (RIM-66B), in service from 1974-1976 to 2004-2009.

 

Italy:

Andrea Doria-class helicopter cruisers - 2 ships in service from 1964 to 1991, SM-1ER received at least 1 ship after modernization in the late 1970s.

Helicopter cruiser Vittorio Veneto - the ship was in service from 1969 to 2003, the SM-1ER was received during the modernization of 1981-1984.

Audace-class destroyers - 2 ships in service from 1972 to 2006, in the course of service they were modernized for SM-1MR (RIM-66E).

Impavido-class destroyers - 2 ships in service from 1963-1964 with the Tartar air defense system, have been modernized for SM-1MR u razdoblju 1974.-1977., povučena iz službe 1991.-1992.

 

France:

Kassar-class destroyers - 2 ships in service from 1988 to 1991.

The T 47 class destroyers, 4 of 12 ships built between 1955 and 1957, were equipped in the early 1960s with Tartar air defense systems, and in the 1970s these ships were upgraded to the SM-1MR; in 1982-1983, two ships were decommissioned, and the air defense equipment from them was used to equip Kassar-class destroyers, in 1987-1988, the remaining two destroyers were also withdrawn from the fleet, their Mk 13 launchers were to be installed on two more planned Kassar-class destroyers, but in the late 1980s the program for the construction of new destroyers was terminated.

https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/SM-1

https://www.seaforces.org/marint/first.htm

 

5 hours ago, Jaroslav said:

Which version did French navy used?

Spain used RIM-66B, Italy RIM-66E and RIM-67A.

My guess is that France used RIM-66B variant but I am not sure

 

This source says:

Clase Santa María

Misiles superficie-aire

Raytheon Systems

32 unidades del modelo AA GDC Pomona Standard SM-1MR/RIM-66E (Bloque VI/VIA/VIB)

https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clase_Santa_María#Armamento

 

Maybe @RETAC21 could confirm which version did Spain use

[Jaroslav]

Standard Missile 1 MR RIM-66A and RIM-66B

http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WMUS_Standard-1_MR_RIM-66B_pic.jpg Standard Missile 1 MR RIM-66B. Photograph copyrighted by General Dynamics.

Description

 

The Standard Missile is one of the most reliable in the Navy's inventory. Used against missiles, aircraft and ships. It replaced Terrier and Tartar missiles and is part of the weapons suit of more than 100 Navy ships.

Reliability improvements included all-electric design (hydraulic power for control surfaces was eliminated) and solid-state electronics with the first battery power in a US Missile. These improvements reduced the warm-up time from 27 seconds down to 1/15 of a second.

RIM-66A was an interim missile that used the existing Tartar Mark 27 motor. RIM-66B introduced a new dual-thrust motor to achieve greater speed and range. The SM-1 MR, SM-2 MR and Tartar missiles are virtually identical in appearance but quite different in performance.

Characteristics

 

Designation	Standard MR RIM-66A and RIM-66B
Ship Class Used On	Many
Date In Service	Block III: 1967 Block IV: 1970
Weight	66A: 1,240 lbs. (562 kg) 66B: 1,390 lbs. (630 kg)
Dimensions	13.5 x 176 in (34 x 447 cm) Span: 42.5 in (108 cm)
Payload	137 lbs. (62 kg) continuous rod
Range	66A: 3,000 - 35,000 yards (2,750 - 32,000 m) 65,000 feet (19,800 m) max altitude 66B: 3,000 - 50,000 yards (2,750 - 45,700 m) 80,000 feet (24,400 m) max altitude
Propulsion	Boost-sustainer rocket

Sources

 

Data from:

• "Naval Weapon Systems 1991/1992" by Norman Friedman
• Navy Fact File

 

http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WMUS_Standard-1_MR_RIM66AB.php

[RETAC21]

9 minutes ago, Jaroslav said:

 

 

This source says:

Clase Santa María

Misiles superficie-aire

Raytheon Systems

32 unidades del modelo AA GDC Pomona Standard SM-1MR/RIM-66E (Bloque VI/VIA/VIB)

https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clase_Santa_María#Armamento

 

Maybe @RETAC21 could confirm which version did Spain use

RIM-66E, note they were last produced in 1987, and they have been retired in 2025. These were the missile we had until this year:

Edited December 7, 2025 by RETAC21

[Jaroslav]

48 minutes ago, RETAC21 said:

RIM-66E, note they were last produced in 1987, and they have been retired in 2025. These were the missile we had until this year:

Thanks mate 😉

[Jaroslav]

On 11/27/2025 at 4:37 PM, Jaroslav said:

British Forces Cyprus, Episkopi

9th Signal Regiment (Radio), Royal Signals, at Ayios Nikolaos Signals Intelligence station

259 (West) Signal Squadron (responsible for communications in the west of the island)

SHQ and Episkopi Troop, Episkopi

Akrotiri Troop

Dhekelia Troop

262 Signal Squadron Royal Corps of Signals, Dhekalia (responsible for communications in the east of the island)

B Squadron, 17th/21st Lancers, Episkopi, six month roulement

2nd Battalion, Coldstream Guards, Salamanca Barracks, two-year deployment: February 1988 to February 1990 (in Wellington Barracks until February)

62 Cyprus Support Squadron, Royal Engineers, Dhekelia

23 Postal and Courier Squadron, Royal Engineers, Dhekelia

30th Transport Regiment, Royal Corps of Transport, Episkopi

16 Flight AAC, Kingsfield Airfield in Dhekelia, (Gazelle AH.1)

UNFICYP Flight AAC, Nicosia Airport, (Gazelle AH.1, supported the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outline_of_the_British_Army_at_the_end_of_the_Cold_War#Overseas_Forces

• Gibraltar Garrison
  • Fortress Postal and Courier Troop, Royal Engineers
  • 3rd Battalion, Royal Green Jackets, arrived in January 1989 for a two-year deployment
  • Gibraltar Regiment (V), four reserve infantry companies, one artillery battery (6x L118 light guns), one air-defense troop (8x Blowpipe missile systems)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outline_of_the_British_Army_at_the_end_of_the_Cold_War#Overseas_Forces

 

 

Flag Officer Gibraltar/Gibraltar Naval Base Commander

The Flag Officer Gibraltar, Gibraltar Naval Base Commander, based in Gibraltar was a Royal Navy Rear Admiral, who double-hatted as NATO's Commander Gibraltar Mediterranean (COMGIBMED).^[11]

• Flag Officer Gibraltar and Gibraltar Naval Base Commander
  • Gibraltar Squadron: HMS Cormorant, HMS Hart

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outline_of_the_British_Royal_Navy_at_the_end_of_the_Cold_War

 

• RAF Gibraltar
  • No. 291 Signals Unit

Additional specialised signals units (SU) were detached to Royal Air Force Germany, British Sector Berlin, British Forces Gibraltar, British Forces Falkland Islands, and British Forces Cyprus.

 

RAF Provost & Security Services (RAF P&SS) Provost Marshal, Whitehall

• HQ P&SS (Gibraltar), RAF Gibraltar — part of British Forces Gibraltar

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outline_of_the_British_Royal_Air_Force_at_the_end_of_the_Cold_War

[Jaroslav]

86-й гвардейский истребительный авиационный полк

В августе 1945 года полк перелетел на аэродром Гроссенхайн, где базировался по 1947 год. До октября 1951 года полк продолжал находиться за пределами территории СССР, затем местом постоянной дислокации полка стал аэродром Лунга (Маркулешты) в Молдавии. К этому времени полк освоил истребители МиГ-15.

В 1954 году полк перевооружили на МиГ-17, на которых он летал до 1966 года, затем поступили МиГ-21 ПФ/ПФМ, и в 1976 году — МиГ-21бис. В 1970 году часть личного состава полка была откомандирована на комплектование авиационных подразделений в Египте, в рамках проводимой тогда операции «Кавказ». В 1989 году МиГ-21 были заменены на МиГ-29, на которых полк летал до самого расформирования. В 1989 году, в рамках Договора о сокращении обычных вооружений в Европе, из состава ВВС в ВМФ была передана 119-я истребительная авиационная дивизия в полном составе, в том числе и 86-й гвардейский истребительный авиационный Борисовский Краснознамённый ордена Суворова полк, который получил наименование 86-й гвардейский морской истребительный авиационный Борисовский Краснознамённый ордена Суворова полк.

В связи с распадом СССР 86-й гвардейский морской истребительный авиационный Борисовский Краснознамённый ордена Суворова полк 12 апреля 1992 года был передан под юрисдикцию Молдовы, где переформирован в смешанную авиационную бригаду. В 1997 году правительство Молдовы продало 21 самолёт МиГ-29 в США, которые первоначально поступили в разведывательный центр в Дейтон. Стоимость сделки составила 40 млн долларов.

С 23 декабря 1999 года полк переформирован в авиационную базу ВВС Молдовы.

...

In August 1945, the regiment moved to Grossenhain Airfield, where it remained based until 1947. Until October 1951, the regiment remained outside the USSR, then became permanently stationed at Lunga (Marculesti) Airfield in Moldova. By this time, the regiment had mastered the MiG-15 fighter jet.

In 1954, the regiment was re-equipped with MiG-17s, which it flew until 1966. They then received MiG-21PF/PFM fighters, and in 1976, MiG-21bis. In 1970, some of the regiment's personnel were seconded to staff aviation units in Egypt, as part of Operation Caucasus, which was then underway. In 1989, the MiG-21s were replaced by MiG-29s, which the regiment flew until its disbandment. In 1989, under the Treaty on the Reduction of Conventional Armed Forces in Europe, the entire 119th Fighter Aviation Division, including the 86th Guards Borisov Red Banner Order of Suvorov Naval Fighter Aviation Regiment, was transferred from the Air Force to the Navy. It was renamed the 86th Guards Borisov Red Banner Order of Suvorov Naval Fighter Aviation Regiment.

Following the collapse of the USSR, the 86th Guards Borisov Red Banner Order of Suvorov Naval Fighter Aviation Regiment was transferred to Moldovan jurisdiction on April 12, 1992, where it was reformed as a mixed aviation brigade. In 1997, the Moldovan government sold 21 MiG-29 aircraft to the United States, which initially went to the Dayton Air Defense Intelligence Agency. The transaction was valued at $40 million.

On December 23, 1999, the regiment was reorganized into an air base of the Moldovan Air Force.

https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/86-й_гвардейский_истребительный_авиационный_полк

[Jaroslav]

5 minutes ago, Jaroslav said:

86-й гвардейский истребительный авиационный полк

В августе 1945 года полк перелетел на аэродром Гроссенхайн, где базировался по 1947 год. До октября 1951 года полк продолжал находиться за пределами территории СССР, затем местом постоянной дислокации полка стал аэродром Лунга (Маркулешты) в Молдавии. К этому времени полк освоил истребители МиГ-15.

В 1954 году полк перевооружили на МиГ-17, на которых он летал до 1966 года, затем поступили МиГ-21 ПФ/ПФМ, и в 1976 году — МиГ-21бис. В 1970 году часть личного состава полка была откомандирована на комплектование авиационных подразделений в Египте, в рамках проводимой тогда операции «Кавказ». В 1989 году МиГ-21 были заменены на МиГ-29, на которых полк летал до самого расформирования. В 1989 году, в рамках Договора о сокращении обычных вооружений в Европе, из состава ВВС в ВМФ была передана 119-я истребительная авиационная дивизия в полном составе, в том числе и 86-й гвардейский истребительный авиационный Борисовский Краснознамённый ордена Суворова полк, который получил наименование 86-й гвардейский морской истребительный авиационный Борисовский Краснознамённый ордена Суворова полк.

В связи с распадом СССР 86-й гвардейский морской истребительный авиационный Борисовский Краснознамённый ордена Суворова полк 12 апреля 1992 года был передан под юрисдикцию Молдовы, где переформирован в смешанную авиационную бригаду. В 1997 году правительство Молдовы продало 21 самолёт МиГ-29 в США, которые первоначально поступили в разведывательный центр в Дейтон. Стоимость сделки составила 40 млн долларов.

С 23 декабря 1999 года полк переформирован в авиационную базу ВВС Молдовы.

...

In August 1945, the regiment moved to Grossenhain Airfield, where it remained based until 1947. Until October 1951, the regiment remained outside the USSR, then became permanently stationed at Lunga (Marculesti) Airfield in Moldova. By this time, the regiment had mastered the MiG-15 fighter jet.

In 1954, the regiment was re-equipped with MiG-17s, which it flew until 1966. They then received MiG-21PF/PFM fighters, and in 1976, MiG-21bis. In 1970, some of the regiment's personnel were seconded to staff aviation units in Egypt, as part of Operation Caucasus, which was then underway. In 1989, the MiG-21s were replaced by MiG-29s, which the regiment flew until its disbandment. In 1989, under the Treaty on the Reduction of Conventional Armed Forces in Europe, the entire 119th Fighter Aviation Division, including the 86th Guards Borisov Red Banner Order of Suvorov Naval Fighter Aviation Regiment, was transferred from the Air Force to the Navy. It was renamed the 86th Guards Borisov Red Banner Order of Suvorov Naval Fighter Aviation Regiment.

Following the collapse of the USSR, the 86th Guards Borisov Red Banner Order of Suvorov Naval Fighter Aviation Regiment was transferred to Moldovan jurisdiction on April 12, 1992, where it was reformed as a mixed aviation brigade. In 1997, the Moldovan government sold 21 MiG-29 aircraft to the United States, which initially went to the Dayton Air Defense Intelligence Agency. The transaction was valued at $40 million.

On December 23, 1999, the regiment was reorganized into an air base of the Moldovan Air Force.

https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/86-й_гвардейский_истребительный_авиационный_полк

24 октября 1989 года полк и 119-й ИАД были переведены в состав ВВС Черноморского флота, чтобы избежать ограничений по численности войск, введенных Михаилом Горбачевым Советскому Союзу. ВВС, а 86-й стал Морским истребительным авиационным полком. Таким образом, 86-й полк морской авиации стал первым полком морской авиации, оснащенным МиГ-29, когда несколько месяцев спустя он получил новые истребители для замены устаревших МиГ-21. Первый полет МиГ-29 в Мэркулешти был совершен 15 июня 1989 года. 24 апреля 1990 года полк потерял МиГ, когда его пилот врезался в землю во время ночных учений, хотя пилот катапультировался и выжил. Командир 2-й эскадрильи подполковник Александр Гидик погиб в результате крушения своего МиГа после того, как потерял управление у аэродрома 25 мая. Примерно в то же время полк получил два учебно-тренировочных МиГ-29УБ. С преобразованием в МиГ-29 задача полка изменилась на защиту Черноморского флота и его баз, хотя он находился в 300 км от побережья. В ноябре 1990 г., по данным ДОВСЕ, в составе 86-го гвардейского морского ИАП было 33 МиГ-29.

...

On October 24, 1989, the regiment and the 119th Fighter Aviation Division were transferred to the Black Sea Fleet Air Force to avoid troop restrictions imposed by Mikhail Gorbachev on the Soviet Union. The regiment was reassigned to the Black Sea Fleet Air Force, and the 86th became a Naval Fighter Aviation Regiment. The 86th Naval Aviation Regiment thus became the first naval aviation regiment equipped with the MiG-29 when it received the new fighters a few months later to replace its aging MiG-21s. The MiG-29's maiden flight at Mărculești took place on June 15, 1989. On April 24, 1990, the regiment lost a MiG when its pilot crashed into the ground during night exercises, although the pilot ejected and survived. The commander of the 2nd Squadron, Lieutenant Colonel Alexandru Gidik, died in the crash of his MiG after losing control near the airfield on May 25. Around the same time, the regiment received two MiG-29UB trainers. With the conversion to MiG-29s, the regiment's mission shifted to protecting the Black Sea Fleet and its bases, even though it was located 300 km from the coast. In November 1990, according to the CFE Treaty, the 86th Guards Naval Fighter Regiment had 33 MiG-29s.

https://alphapedia.ru/w/86th_Guards_Fighter_Aviation_Regiment

[Jaroslav]

С образованием эскадры на Средиземном море была построена стройная организационная система, состоявшая из шести оперативных соединений со следующими задачами и районами действий:

• 50-е ОС — корабль управления с охранением, место действия — в зависимости от обстановки и решаемых задач;
• 51-е ОС — подводные лодки (6-8 единиц), в центральной и западной частях, поиск ПЛАРБ;
• 52-е ОС — ударные ракетно-артиллерийские корабли, слежение за авианосцами при входе в центральную и восточную части моря;
• 53-е ОС — противолодочные корабли, совместный с авиацией и подводными лодками поиск ПЛАРБ в центральной и западной частях и на маршрутах их развертывания;
• 54-е ОС — десантные корабли (2-3 единицы) и корабль огневой поддержки — Порт-Саид, батальон или рота морской пехоты с техникой;
• 55-е ОС — корабли и суда обеспечения (танкеры, водолеи, плавмастерские, спасательные суда, буксиры, водолазные, продовольственные, плавказармы, плавсклады и пр.)

На оперативные соединения назначались командиры соединений из числа пришедших на боевую службу командиров бригад, начальников штабов и наиболее опытных командиров кораблей, а также заместители командиров соединений по политчасти из числа замкомбригов или «больших замов» (заместителей командиров по политчасти на крейсерах).

https://knifesburg.ru/na-more/eskadra-korablej.html

 

With the formation of the Mediterranean squadron, a well-organized organizational system was built, consisting of six operational units with the following missions and areas of operation:

50th Operational Unit — command ship with escort, location of action depending on the situation and tasks to be accomplished;
51st Operational Unit — submarines (6-8 units), in the central and western parts, search for SSBNs;
52nd Operational Unit — strike missile and artillery ships, tracking aircraft carriers entering the central and eastern parts of the sea;
53rd Operational Unit — anti-submarine ships, jointly with aircraft and submarines, search for SSBNs in the central and western parts and along their deployment routes;
54th Operational Unit — landing ships (2-3 units) and a fire support ship — Port Said, a battalion or company of marines with equipment;
The 55th OS — support ships and vessels (tankers, water carriers, floating workshops, rescue vessels, tugs, diving boats, food supply vessels, floating barracks, floating warehouses, etc.)
Operational formation commanders were assigned to the operational formations from among the brigade commanders, chiefs of staff, and the most experienced ship commanders who had returned to combat duty, as well as deputy formation commanders for political affairs from among the deputy brigade commanders or "big deputies" (deputy commanders for political affairs on cruisers).