The use of the Kyiv regime missiles "Neptune"
Experimental complex "Neptune" being tested
Over the past few years, Ukraine has been boasting of its new development - the RK-360MTs coastal missile system with the R-360 Neptune anti-ship missile. Great hopes were placed on the complex and the missile and it was expected that they would seriously improve the strike capabilities of Ukrainian formations. Recently, they have been trying to use the Neptune product against Russian targets, and it does not live up to expectations. The obsolete missile turned out to be an easy target for our air defense.
Negative experience
Various reports of attempts to use Neptune anti-ship missiles against Russian objects and ships have been received almost from the very beginning of the Special Operation. However, until recently such news did not receive confirmation. There was banal propaganda, initially based on forgeries.
However, there were also reliable reports related to the Ukrainian DBK / RCC. Last year and this year, the Russian armed forces repeatedly attacked enemy military factories involved in the production of Neptunes. Apparently, as a result of these events, Ukraine lost the opportunity to produce new complexes and missiles for them - in large quantities or at all.
Apparently, before the destruction of production, the enemy managed to accumulate a certain supply of missiles and ground-based weapons of the complex. Now they are trying to use them against Russian targets.
A few days ago, the Ukrainian “press” reported that on August 23, the Neptune complex, using a modified anti-ship missile system, allegedly attacked and hit the Russian S-400 anti-aircraft system in Crimea. The “news” was accompanied by a video showing some kind of explosion and scattering of debris. It is not possible to accurately determine the location and circumstances of the shooting. At the same time, any reliable confirmation of the strike on our air defense system has not yet appeared, and you should not take the Ukrainian side’s word for it.
Rocket R-360
However, it soon became known that the Kiev regime was really trying to use Neptune products. Thus, on the afternoon of August 28, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported an enemy attempt to attack Russian targets in Crimea. A Ukrainian cruise missile was intercepted over the Black Sea off the coast of the peninsula. The type of this product was not mentioned in that message.
On August 29, in its daily report, the Ministry of Defense mentioned the successful interception of a number of enemy missiles and missiles. In particular, the air defense hit the enemy Neptune product. Apparently, this particular missile was heading towards Crimea the day before, but was shot down over the sea.
It is likely that new reports of the use of Neptune missiles will appear in the near future. These episodes will predictably end with the interception of flying anti-ship missiles, which, however, will not prevent Ukrainian propaganda from again proudly talking about the successful defeat of targets.
New from old
It must be recalled that the R-360 Neptune missile is actually a modified version of the older Soviet-designed Kh-35 anti-ship missile. At one time, Ukrainian SSR enterprises participated in the production of such missiles and had the necessary documentation. Subsequently, production stopped, but in the mid-XNUMXs a decision was made to resume it independently.
Several Ukrainian enterprises reworked the original X-35 design; Their main task was to replace unavailable devices and units with their own products. In addition, the RK-360MTs coastal missile system was being developed, also based on available components.
Start of a rocket
In 2015, the components of the future DBK began to be shown at exhibitions, and in the spring of 2016, the first test launch of the rocket took place. The tests were completed in mid-2020, and at the same time the complex was officially put into service. The start of serial production of ground assets and missiles was expected. In the foreseeable future, it was planned to produce three divisional sets of equipment.
The first divisional set of Neptunes, consisting of 19 vehicles for various purposes and other equipment, reached the troops by mid-2021. It was expected that contracts for new batches of equipment would be concluded and the corresponding production would start. However, it is unknown whether these plans were completed before the destruction of production facilities.
Remaining potential
According to known data, one division of the RK-360MTs Neptune coastal missile system includes about two dozen vehicles for various purposes, a large number of missiles and other means. All the main components of the DBK are made on the Tatra or KrAZ truck chassis, which allows them to quickly change position and prepare for launches. With all this, the complex needs the help of third-party means of detection and target designation.
The work of the unit is controlled by the command post RKP-360. R-360 missiles are transported and launched by USPU-360 self-propelled launchers. The operation of the latter is ensured by transport-loading machines TZM-360 and transport TM-360.
Each launcher contains four transport and launch containers with R-360 missiles. Transport and transport-loading vehicles also carry four TPKs. The total ammunition load of one division is 72 missiles. Of these, up to 24 are at USPU-360 and are ready for use.
The R-360 Neptune missile is a modified copy of the old Kh-35 and has similar characteristics. It is made in a cylindrical body with a length of 5,5 m and a diameter of 380 mm with foldable planes with a span of 1,3 m. The launch weight is 870 kg. Of these, 150 kg falls on a high-explosive penetrating warhead.
Active radar homing is used. Ukrainian enterprises managed to create their own analogue of the Soviet GOS of the ARGS-35 type with similar characteristics. During the tests, such a head showed the possibility of targeting large radio-contrast surface targets. Its capabilities when attacking ground targets raise questions.
“Neptune” is equipped with a solid propellant starting engine and a sustainer turbojet MC-400 – a Ukrainian copy of the Soviet R-95-300. Along the trajectory, the missile develops a speed of at least 0,8 M. The flight takes place at altitudes of no more than 300 m with an additional decrease near the target. Range – 280 km.
Countermeasures
From the point of view of air defense, the R-360 missile is a subsonic aerodynamic target that does not have means to reduce visibility. Such an object is quite easy to detect and intercept, and flying over a flat sea surface further simplifies the operation of the radar and air defense systems. What should be the end of attacks using such weapons, showed a recent incident off the coast of Crimea.
Transport and launch container after launch
A simultaneous salvo from an entire missile battalion can pose certain difficulties for air defense. 24 missiles are capable of creating an increased load on defense systems. Under certain conditions, it is even possible for individual products to achieve their goals.
However, this option for using the Neptune DBK is unlikely. It cannot be ruled out that Ukraine simply does not have a sufficient number of missiles for massive use. In addition, such a salvo can unmask the starting position and lead to a retaliatory strike. As a result, the already low potential of the complexes will be further reduced.
Predictable outcome
Thus, after a long wait, Ukrainian formations began to use the Neptune coastal missile system with the anti-ship missile of the same name. However, so far only one missile launch is reliably known, which was successfully intercepted by Russian air defense. Another announced launch with the alleged defeat of the Russian air defense system looks more like another “victory” for the media space.
It should be expected that R-360 launches will continue. However, they will be infrequent and will not give the Kyiv regime the desired result. This practice will continue until the accumulated stock of missiles is used up, which cannot be restored now. How quickly the enemy runs out of Neptunes directly depends on the actions of our air defense, which has already shown its capabilities.
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