| P-70 Ametist (NATO reporting name: SS-N-7 'Starbright') | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Anti-shipping missile |
| Place of origin | Soviet Union |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1968-1995 |
| Used by | Russia, India |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | NPO Mashinostroyeniye (Chelomei) |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 7,700 lb (3,500 kg) |
| Length | 23.0 ft (7.0 m) |
| Warhead | HE or 200kt nuclear |
| Warhead weight | 1,170 lb (530 kg) |
|
| |
| Propellant | Solid fuel |
Operational range | 65 km (35 nmi) |
| Maximum speed | Mach 0.9 |
Launch platform | Charlie-I class SSGNs, Papa class submarine class SSGNs |
The P-70 Ametist (NATO reporting name SS-N-7 Starbright, GRAU designation 4K66; Russian: П-70 «Аметист» 'Amethyst') was an anti-ship missile carried by Soviet and Indian Charlie-I submarines, as well as the Soviet Papa class submarine. It was soon succeeded by the P-120 Malakhit (SS-N-9 'Siren').
Development[]
The P-5 Pyatyorka (SS-N-3A 'Shaddock') missile required the Echo class submarines carrying them to spend 30 minutes or more on the surface when firing. This made submarines very vulnerable to enemy attack, so in the 1960s the Soviets started work on a new missile that could be fired whilst submerged, and a submarine to carry it. These became the P-120 Malakhit (SS-N-9 'Siren') and Charlie class submarine.
However, problems with the engines of the P-120 Malakhit forced the Soviets to design a sub-launched missile based on the P-15M Termit (SS-N-2C 'Styx') as a stopgap measure for the first batch of Charlie submarines. This became the P-20L, later renamed the P-70 Ametist.
Design[]
The P-15M was fitted with an L band sensor and a new altimeter radar both developed for the 'Siren', but there was no room for a datalink in the smaller 'Styx'. Folding wings were added to reduce the size of the missile, and the missile can be launched at a maximum depth of 30 meter.
The short range of the P-70 meant that it did not need mid-course updates from a radar on the submarine, so it could be fired whilst submerged. This more than made up for its lack of range compared to the 'Shaddock'.
Operational history[]
The P-70 went into service with the Soviet Navy on the first Charlie I, on June 3, 1968.[1] About 200 were produced.
India leased the Chakra, a Soviet Charlie I submarine from January 1988 to 1992, to gain experience of operating a nuclear submarine.
Operators[]
Soviet Union
India
References[]
External links[]
- MARITIME STRIKE The Soviet Perspective
- www.dtig.org Russian/Sovjet Sea-based Anti-Ship Missiles (pdf)
The original article can be found at P-70 Ametist and the edit history here.