Features of the use of the Bastion coastal missile system during a special operation
One of the first episodes of the use of the Bastion ballistic missile system in a Special Operation, March 2022.
As part of the current Special Operation, the Russian armed forces are using almost all modern types of equipment and weapons. In particular, the coastal missile systems 3K55 "Bastion" of the Black Sea region are making their contribution to the common cause of demilitarization of the Kyiv regime fleet. They strike at various enemy targets and clearly demonstrate their ability to hit not only ships, but also other targets.
"Bastions" in Special Operation
The combat use of the Bastion ballistic missile system with Onyx anti-ship missiles as part of the Special Operation began in mid-March 2022 - just a few weeks after the start of hostilities. Subsequently, the Ministry of Defense repeatedly reported on new episodes of combat operation of such complexes against various targets. Documentary footage of preparations for launches and rocket launches was also published.
According to official news from the Ministry of Defense, "Bastions" were used periodically for several months, from mid-March to the end of June. Subsequently, new messages of this kind disappeared for a long time. The next known ground-based missile strike did not take place until early June 2024.
For what reason “Bastions” are used only sporadically and with significant interruptions is not specified. Perhaps the real intensity of the use of DBK is higher, but the Ministry of Defense, for some reason, does not disclose all such episodes.
Also, the observed picture can be associated with the characteristics and capabilities of the BRK missiles, as well as with the presence or appearance of suitable targets by the enemy. Probably, 3K55 complexes are involved in combat work in cases where their use is advisable from a military and economic point of view. In other situations, other shock systems work.
It is noteworthy that participation in the Special Operation does not interfere with combat training. Various training sessions are held regularly, incl. with training launches for conditional targets. Thus, at the end of November 2023, the Ministry of Defense announced the holding of a similar event in the coastal units of the KChF. The combat crews of the complexes practiced the skills of entering positions and preparing equipment for firing, and also conducted electronic and practical missile launches.
Obviously, the known cases of combat use of “Bastions” and “Onyxes” will not be the last. As long as the Kiev regime continues to resist, it will find new targets for attacks with supersonic anti-ship missiles. How often such tasks will have to be solved, and how many objects will be hit, time will tell. In this case, you can count on the successful destruction of all or almost all of the designated targets.
In the process of demilitarization
It is necessary to consider the known cases of combat use of “Bastions” in Special Operations and pay attention to the selected targets for strikes. The coastal missile system, originally intended to combat enemy ships, has shown and confirmed its ability to effectively hit other types of targets. In this case, we are talking about a variety of objects with their own characteristics and requirements for means of destruction.
"Bastion" enters position, June 2024.
It should be recalled that the first launches of Bastion missiles against ground targets took place long before the start of the Special Operation to protect Donbass. Back in November 2016, Russian missile defense systems delivered to Syria carried out attacks on terrorist targets. The intended targets were successfully destroyed.
The first strike by “Bastion” as part of the current Special Operation took place on March 18, 2022. The target was two enemy radio and electronic intelligence centers in the Odessa region. Both objects were destroyed. A few days later, the Defense Ministry released video of missile launches likely related to the strike.
On April 1, Bastion missiles hit the headquarters of the enemy group in the area of the village. Shakhterskoe. Up to 40 people were killed. manpower, 5 armored vehicles and several vehicles. At the same time, the control contours of the Ukrainian formations were violated. On the same day, the Ministry of Defense showed a missile launch at enemy headquarters. Unfortunately, materials from objective control involving target destruction have not been published.
On April 6, they published another video of the launches, but without specifying the targets. Then, on April 8, the Ministry of Defense reported a strike on the center for the collection and training of foreign mercenaries in the Odessa region. New footage of missile launches was attached to this message.
On May 1 and 8, the defense department again posted videos of the “Bastions” in action, and soon clarified the details. So, in a briefing on May 9 they talked about an attack on an airfield in the area of the settlement. Artsyz (Odessa region) and the destruction of six transport and combat helicopters.
Complex operators at work
Then there was a break, and a new Bastion strike on enemy infrastructure was reported only on June 20. This time the missiles again attacked the airfield near the village. Artsyz, but their target was two BayraktarTB2 UAVs and the control station of this unmanned aviation systems. The news was again followed by spectacular footage of the night launch. On June 4, Bastion missiles again headed for the Odessa region, where they hit the launch position of the S-300 air defense system.
The strike on the anti-aircraft system in the Odessa region was the last known case of combat use of the 3K55 DBK in 2022. In the following 2023 and in the first months of 2024, such news was not received at all. However, a few days ago the Ministry of Defense recalled the participation of Bastions in the Special Operation.
A new video was published, which showed the process of the DBK reaching the launch position, preparing and launching the missiles. Bastion attacked unnamed ground targets and reportedly successfully hit them. Perhaps the details of this strike will become known later. We should also expect a resumption of active and regular combat operation of missile systems.
Thus, to date, “Bastions” have hit a number of Ukrainian ground targets of various kinds. At the same time, these systems have never had to carry out launches against real enemy ships. Considering the state of the Ukrainian fleet, such events can no longer be expected.
Technical potential
3K55 "Bastion" is a self-propelled missile system designed for coastal defense and destruction of surface or ground targets. It includes several missile launchers, a combat control vehicle and other means. The main components of the DBK are mounted on automobile and special chassis, providing high mobility and flexibility for moving between positions.
Raising rockets to vertical position
The Bastion includes the P-800 / 3M55 / Onyx anti-ship missile. This is ammunition more than 8 m long with a launch weight of 3 tons, equipped with a ramjet engine. In flight, the rocket reaches a speed of up to 2,5-2,6 M. The launch range is up to 800 km, depending on the modification. The flight is carried out due to inertial navigation; in the final section, an active-passive radar seeker is used. A penetrating high-explosive warhead weighing 300 kg is delivered to the target.
The main task of the Onyx missile is to destroy moving surface targets, which determined the composition of its equipment and technical characteristics. At the same time, it is also envisaged to use it against ground targets. Since 2016, such capabilities have been demonstrated in real Military operations.
According to the Ministry of Defense, in 2022-24. “Onyxes” repeatedly attacked various enemy targets. The targets of the strikes were radio equipment, headquarters and equipment in open areas. Despite the different nature of such targets, the P-800 missile and the Bastion complex as a whole coped with all the assigned tasks and demonstrated their features and advantages.
Thus, the mobile complex is capable of quickly reaching a position and launching missiles. This allows you to reduce the time from detecting a target to striking it, thereby reducing the enemy’s chances of escaping in time. In the same context, flight characteristics are of great importance. At a speed of 2,6 M, a flight to a maximum range of 800 km takes approx. 15 minutes. The probability of timely detection of a missile, determining its target and evacuating the latter from the attack drops sharply.
The standard ARGSN "Onyx" was created to work over the sea in difficult conditions and in the presence of interference. Practice has shown that the noise-proof head also works effectively over land, providing high accuracy. Apparently, such a seeker has low requirements for target radio contrast and can detect and track even complex objects.
"Onyx" carries a 300-kg high-explosive warhead. Its charge is sufficient to destroy manpower and equipment in open areas, as well as to destroy a variety of objects and structures. High flight speed also makes a certain contribution to power. All this determines the level of impact on the target and the radius of destruction.
Universal system
The main function of the 3K55 Bastion missile system and its 3M55 Onyx missile was initially to fight enemy ships. However, during the development of the complex, solutions were incorporated that would make it possible to successfully attack other types of targets. Such capabilities of DBK and anti-ship missiles have already been repeatedly demonstrated in practice, causing the required damage to the enemy.
It is curious that Bastion is not used too often and only for specific purposes. In fact, it is used in situations where the fastest possible destruction of an identified object at a long range is required, and the use of other strike systems is impossible or impractical. With all this, “Bastion” and “Onyx” fully cope with their tasks and contribute to the speedy achievement of the general goals of the Special Operation.
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