SS-N-14
Encyclopedia
Metel Anti-Ship Complex is a Russian family of anti-submarine missiles and warheads. There are different anti-submarine variants ('Metel') for cruisers and frigates, and a later version with a shaped charge ('Rastrub') that can be used against shipping as well as submarines.
The missile carries an underslung anti-submarine torpedo which it drops immediately above the suspected position of a submarine. The torpedo then proceeds to search and then home in on the submarine. The missile has been in operational service since 1968, but is no longer in production; it was superseded by the RPK-2 Viyuga (SS-N-15 'Starfish').
and RBU-1000
anti-submarine rocket launchers, which worked on a similar principle to the Royal Navy
's Hedgehog
system of the Second World War, propelling small depth charges up to 5800 metres (6,343 yd) from a ship. However this meant that a ship would still be in range of the submarine's torpedoes and missiles, and depth charges were less accurate than homing torpedoes. In 1963 the US Navy introduced ASROC
, a missile that flew to the estimated position of the target submarine, and then dropped a torpedo into the water to destroy it. The SS-N-14 was the Soviet response.
In 1993, an upgraded version, designated YP-85, with a range of 250 km (135 nmi), was proposed for export.
and Kara
classes of cruisers. The URPK-4 was introduced in 1973, and the anti-ship version URPK-5 Rastrub in 1976. The URPK-4 has been used on the Burevestnik class frigate and the first batch of the Udaloy class destroyer
; the Udaloy II carries the SS-N-15 'Starfish'. The system was installed on the Admiral Ushakov
(ex-Kirov) but not on her sister ships.
Of these the Krestas and all but two Karas have been retired, along with most of the Burevestniks and half the Udaloys; the Kirov appears to have been upgraded to the SS-N-16
'Stallion' at some point. 100 missiles are estimated to remain in service .
The missile carries an underslung anti-submarine torpedo which it drops immediately above the suspected position of a submarine. The torpedo then proceeds to search and then home in on the submarine. The missile has been in operational service since 1968, but is no longer in production; it was superseded by the RPK-2 Viyuga (SS-N-15 'Starfish').
Development
In the early 1960s the Soviet Union introduced the RBU-6000RBU-6000
The RBU-6000 Smerch-2 is a 213 mm caliber Soviet anti-submarine rocket launcher. It is similar in principle to the Royal Navy Hedgehog system used during the Second World War...
and RBU-1000
RBU-1000
The RBU-1000 Smerch-3 is a 300 mm caliber Russian anti-submarine and anti-torpedo rocket launcher. It entered service around 1962-1963. It is similar in operation to the Hedgehog system used during the Second World War. The RBU-1000 is remotely aimed by the Burya fire control system...
anti-submarine rocket launchers, which worked on a similar principle to the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
's Hedgehog
Hedgehog (weapon)
The Hedgehog was an anti-submarine weapon developed by the Royal Navy during World War II, that was deployed on convoy escort warships such as destroyers to supplement the depth charge. The weapon worked by firing a number of small spigot mortar bombs from spiked fittings...
system of the Second World War, propelling small depth charges up to 5800 metres (6,343 yd) from a ship. However this meant that a ship would still be in range of the submarine's torpedoes and missiles, and depth charges were less accurate than homing torpedoes. In 1963 the US Navy introduced ASROC
ASROC
ASROC is an all-weather, all sea-conditions anti-submarine missile system. Developed by the United States Navy in the 1950s, it was deployed in the 1960s, updated in the 1990s, and eventually installed on over 200 USN surface ships, specifically cruisers, destroyers, and frigates...
, a missile that flew to the estimated position of the target submarine, and then dropped a torpedo into the water to destroy it. The SS-N-14 was the Soviet response.
In 1993, an upgraded version, designated YP-85, with a range of 250 km (135 nmi), was proposed for export.
Design
The missile is based on the P-120 Malakhit (NATO: SS-N-9 'Siren') anti-shipping missile. The missile itself is radio command guided and is powered by a solid fuel rocket motor. The later 'Rastrub' models of the weapon were "universal" carrying a smaller torpedo, but with a 185 kg shaped charge warhead for use against ships. Rastrub missiles were deployed alongside the anti-submarine versions of the missile. In anti-submarine mode the missile flew at approximately 400 meters altitude, and where it was over the estimated position of the target submarine the missile was commanded to release the torpedo or depth charge. In anti-shipping mode the missile flies much lower, at approximately 15 meters.Operational history
The URPK-3 entered service in 1969 on the Kresta IIKresta II class cruiser
The Kresta II Class, Soviet Designation Project 1134A, Berkut A were Soviet guided missile cruisers of the Cold War. The ships entered service in the late 1960s and were rapidly decommissioned after the end of the Cold War...
and Kara
Kara class cruiser
The Kara is a class of Cold War era Soviet guided missile cruisers. The Soviet designation is Project 1134B Berkut B - Беркут Б and the Soviet mission description is "large anti-submarine warfare ship" and not "cruiser".-Design:...
classes of cruisers. The URPK-4 was introduced in 1973, and the anti-ship version URPK-5 Rastrub in 1976. The URPK-4 has been used on the Burevestnik class frigate and the first batch of the Udaloy class destroyer
Udaloy class destroyer
The Udaloy I class are a series of anti-submarine destroyers built for the Soviet Navy, eight of which are currently in service with the Russian Navy. The Russian designation is Project 1155 Fregat...
; the Udaloy II carries the SS-N-15 'Starfish'. The system was installed on the Admiral Ushakov
Soviet battlecruiser Kirov
Kirov, the lead ship of her class of nuclear-powered missile cruisers, is one of the major and biggest surface warships of the Russian Navy, though it was originally built for the Soviet Navy. It is similar in size to a World War II battleship...
(ex-Kirov) but not on her sister ships.
Of these the Krestas and all but two Karas have been retired, along with most of the Burevestniks and half the Udaloys; the Kirov appears to have been upgraded to the SS-N-16
SS-N-16
SS-N-16 Stallion refers to a Soviet 650 mm anti-ship missile that was deployed between 1979 and 1981. The name is a combination of the American designation of SS-N-16 and the NATO term of Stallion for Soviet RU-100s.It refers to either...
'Stallion' at some point. 100 missiles are estimated to remain in service .
Variants
- 60R - Original version armed with 5 kt nuclear depth charge
- 70R - Original version armed with AT-2U ASW torpedo
- 83R/URPK-3 Metel - Cruiser version of the missile using the guidance system from the SA-N-3SA-N-3The M-11 Shtorm is a Russian naval surface-to-air missile system. Its GRAU designation is 4K60. Its NATO reporting name is SA-N-3 Goblet. The system was first installed on the Moskva, a anti-submarine warfare carrier, which was commissioned in 1967, but the system was not officially accepted into...
missile and the KT-106 launcher. Uses AT-1 torpedo (EA-45-70A) - 84R/URPK-4 Metel-U, KT-106U launcher, used on UdaloyUdaloy class destroyerThe Udaloy I class are a series of anti-submarine destroyers built for the Soviet Navy, eight of which are currently in service with the Russian Navy. The Russian designation is Project 1155 Fregat...
destroyers. Entered service 1973. Uses AT-2 (AT-2UM) torpedo (E53-72), which has either 100 kg HE warhead or possibly a 5 kt nuclear warhead. - 85RU/URPK-5 Rastrub, KT-100U launcher. Entered service 1975. Carries either AT-2 (APR-2E ?) (E53-72) or UGMT-1 torpedo (E45-75A) and an additional anti-shipping warhead of 185 kg.
- 85RUS/URPK-5 Nuclear tipped version of the missile.
- YP-85 Proposed long-range version - see above.