Buk-M3 SA-27 Gollum Viking 9K317M

Medium range surface-to-air defense missile system - Russia

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The Buk-M3 also nicknamed Viking, medium-range surface-to-air missile system is a modernized version of the Buk-M2 system, features advanced electronic components and a deadly new missile, and could be regarded as a completely new system. The system is designed, developed, and manufactured by the Russian Defense Company Almaz-Antey. The Buk-M3 system boasts a new digital computer, high-speed data exchange system and a tele-thermal imaging target designator instead of the tele-optical trackers used in previous models. A battery of Buk-M3 missiles can track and engage up to 36 targets simultaneously, while its advanced 9R31M missile is capable of knocking down all existing flying objects, including highly maneuverable ones, even during active electronic jamming. The Buk-M3 can also engage sea and land targets, due to its vertical launch capability. According to some Russian newspaper websites, the Buk-M3 would be made operational before the end of 2015. According to information published by the Russian Ministry of Defense, the Russian Armed forces received the first set of the newest medium-range air defense missile system Buk-M3 in 2016. 

Buk-M3 Viking variants:

No variants at this time

Armament and radar system

A Buk-M3 Viking missile battery consists of two TELAR 9A317M (Transporter Erector LAuncher and Radar) and one TEL 9A316M (Transporter Erector Launcher) vehicle. The TELAR is based on the GM-569 tracked armored chassis, and carries six ready-to-fire missiles mounted on a turntable that can traverse a full 360°. The turret of the Buk-M3 TELAR includes fire control radar at the front and a launcher with six ready-to-fire missiles on top.  In August 2018, at Army- 2018, the International Military-Technical Forum in Moscow, the latest variant of the Buk-M3 was shown for the first time to the public with a new launcher turret equipped with two rows of three missile containers. The reloader vehicle of the Buk-M3 Viking is equipped with two blocks of six missiles using the same tracked chassis as the previous version of the Buk family.

Buk-M3 TEL (Transporter Erector Launcher) vehicle is fitted with two rows of three missile launchers.

Missile

The Buk-M3 Viking uses the new 9R31M missile radar-guided surface-to-air missile (SAM) with increased range and enhanced overall performance compared with the 9M38 used on the Buk-M1 and Buk-M2. The Buk-3M’s target-destruction probability has reached 0.9999 and its maximum destruction range has been increased by 25 kilometers and now stands at 70 kilometers. The Buk-M3 is able to destroy any type of air target from a range of 2.5 to 70 km, with a speed of 3,000 m/s at an altitude from 15 m to 35 km. The Buk-M3 missile has been optimized for the interception of low-flying cruise missiles but can also engage ground and sea targets. The missile system also includes a new digital computer, high-speed data exchange system, and a thermal target imaging designator replacing optical trackers on previous Buk models. The 9R31M missile is fitted with a high-explosive fragmentation warhead.

Mobility

The Buk-M3 Viking missile system is mounted on a tracked armored chassis GM-569A as the Buk-M2. The Buk-M3 armored vehicle is motorized with a V-46 multifuel diesel engine developing 710 hp at the maximum speed of 2.000 rpm. The hydro-mechanical transmission has a two-flow differential arrangement and includes a 4-speed planetary gearbox, an all-gear planetary reverse with a gear ratio of a unit, an integrated torque converter with a lockup friction clutch, summing rows, an input matching reduction unit comprising a bevel and a cylindrical pair of gears, control system pumps and a hydrostatic steering gear. The control of the hydro-mechanical transmission is electro-hydraulic. The cooling system of the engine and transmission system is of an ejection type and uses the traction engine exhaust energy The power required for the cooling system does not exceed 15 hp. The cooling system includes an ejector and a package of liquid-air radiators of the engine cooling and lubrication systems, the transmission oil system, and the suspension shock absorber cooling system. The suspension on either side consists of six dual roadwheels with the drive sprocket at the rear, idler at the front, and four track-return rollers which support the inside of the double-pin track only. The vehicle can run at a maximum speed of 70 Km/h with a maximum road range of 500 km. The crew of 4 is located at the front of the vehicle. The crew enters and leaves the vehicle via two large hatches located at the front of the armored chassis. The vehicle is protected against the firing of small arms and shell splinters.

Combat assets

- Target detection Stations - 9A317M self-propelled fire unit with 6 missiles (TELAR) - 9A316M loader-launcher unit (LLU) with 12 missiles (TEL) - 9T243M transport and loader vehicle

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