Exactly 30 years ago, on February 17, 1995, the A-135 missile defense system (ABM) of the Moscow industrial region was adopted. The complex became the result of many years of work by Soviet and Russian scientists, engineers and designers in the field of protection against ballistic missiles of a potential enemy.
Work on the A-135 began in 1971. NPO Vympel was appointed as the lead developer, and dozens of design bureaus, research institutes and factories participated in the cooperation. Scientists were tasked with providing reliable protection for Moscow from strikes by intercontinental ballistic missiles equipped with multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles and missile defense penetration aids.
The creation of the A-135 required solving a whole range of complex scientific and technical problems. It was necessary to ensure the detection and tracking of small targets against the background of powerful interference, highly accurate missile guidance, and their detonation in close proximity to the target. It was necessary to develop super-powerful computing complexes for processing information in real time.
The A-135 is based on the latest achievements in the field of computer technology, radar, nuclear technology and rocket engineering. The key element of the system is the unique radar station "Don-2N", which has no analogues in the world.
Will Find Any Little Thing
"Don-2N" is a tetrahedral truncated pyramid 33 m high and 130 m long on the sides at the base and 90 m along the roof. The radar is equipped with fixed large-aperture active phased antenna arrays (on each of the four faces) with a diameter of 18 m, operating for transmission and reception.
A giant structure the height of a 12-story building can detect ballistic targets at a range of up to 3,700 km, simultaneously tracking up to 100 objects. It searches, recognizes ballistic targets and guides anti-missiles to them.
To destroy warheads of intercontinental ballistic missiles, the A-135 uses 53T6 silo-based interceptor missiles with a nuclear warhead. They can intercept targets at altitudes of up to several tens of kilometers at a range of up to 100 km.
State tests of the A-135 system started in 1989. Numerous test launches of anti-missiles confirmed the complex's compliance with the stated characteristics. On February 17, 1995, the A-135 system was adopted and put on combat duty.
Modernization Continues
The A-135 remains an active missile defense system today, protecting Moscow from ballistic missile strikes. Over the years, it has been repeatedly modernized, receiving new computing systems, radar equipment and software.
The experience of creating and operating the A-135 formed the basis of the new A-235 Nudol missile defense system, which is currently being developed. It should protect not only Moscow, but also other strategically important regions of Russia.
The anniversary of the A-135 system is not only a milestone in the history of domestic missile defense, but also a tribute to the work of many thousands of people who created this grandiose complex. Their dedication, knowledge and experience made it possible to ensure the security of Russia in difficult years of geopolitical upheaval. The A-135 has become a symbol of the technological superiority of our country and a guarantee of its defense capability for decades to come.
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