Ukrainian soldiers destroy Russian TOR-M2DT new air defense missile system
According to a video published on "Ukraine Weapons Tracker" on February 1, 2023, the Ukrainian army has destroyed for the first time a Russian TOR-M2DT, the latest generation of air defense missile system based on the chassis of the DT-30PM tracked all-terrain vehicle. According to information published on the Internet, the TOR-M2DT would have been destroyed by an American M982 Excalibur extended-range guided artillery projectile.
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Ukrainian army destroys for the first time a Russian TOR-M2DT mobile air defense missile system using American-made M982 Excalibur GPS-guided artillery projectiles. (Picture source Video footage Twitter Ukraine Weapons Tracker)
On December 13, 2022, the Army Recognition editorial team reported that the Russian army deployed for the first time in Ukraine, the TOR-M2DT air defense missile system. The vehicle is the latest generation of Russian-made air defense missile system that was specially designed to be used in the Arctic region offering high mobility capabilities on muddy and snowy terrain.
According to our information, this is the first time that the TOR-M2DT is used by the Russian armed forces to conduct combat operations. Indeed, the TOR-M2DT was revealed for the first time to the public during the rehearsal for the Russian Victory Day Parade, in April 2017.
The TOR-M2DT is a new short-range air defense missile system developed by Russia`s JSC Izhevsk Electromechanical Plant Kupol which is based on the DT-30PM, a tracked all-terrain vehicle that offers high mobility on muddy and snowy terrain which is very well suited for winter conditions in Ukraine.
The TOR-M2DT consists of two tracked vehicle units linked by a steering mechanism with the crew hosted at the front vehicle and the weapon missile system mounted on the second vehicle that integrates two 9M334 modules, each containing four 9M331 and 9M332 surface-to-air guided missiles in four transporting-launching containers which are used to store, transport, and launch the missiles. The turret of the TOR-M2 also includes a 360° search radar which a range of 25 km mounted at the rear and a 60° tracking radar at the front which has a range of 30 km.
The TOR-M2DT can engage a target at a range from 1,000 to 12,000 m and to an altitude from 10 to 10,000 m. The 9M331 is a short-range surface-to-air missile designed to engage manned aircraft, UAVs, and missiles flying at a maximum speed in excess of Mach 2. The 9M332 is a modified 9M331 used with the 9K332 Tor-M2 tracked air defense missile systems.
The TOR-M2DT is powered by a YaMZ-847-10 diesel engine, developing 588 kW (800 hp) and hydromechanics transmission with a sing lestage hydrodynamic torque converter providing smooth control of transferred torque depending on the running resistance. It can run at a speed of up to 45 km/h on any terrain condition or sail at a maximum speed of 5km/h.
The M982 Excalibur Positioning System (GPS)-guided, extended-range artillery projectile, in use as the U.S. Army’s next-generation cannon artillery precision munition. The target, platform location, and GPS-specific data are entered into the projectile’s mission computer through an Enhanced Portable Inductive Artillery Fuze Setter (EPIAFS).
The M982 Excalibur uses a jam-resistant internal GPS receiver to update the inertial navigation system, providing precision in-flight guidance and dramatically improving accuracy regardless of range. Excalibur has three fuze options (height-of-burst, point-detonating, and delay/penetration) and is employable in all weather conditions and terrain.
Russian army TOR-M2DT mobile air defense missile system based on DT-30PM tracked all-terrain vehicle. (Picture source Russian MoD)