SA-5 / S-200 (Gammon)

Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) Defense System

Soviet Union | 1967

"The SA-5 Gammon can still be found in various parts of the world, primarily in central Asia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East."

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 04/08/2022 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

Image from the United States Department of Defense imagery database.

Because of advancements in Western aircraft regarding speed and operating altitudes, the Soviet Union was forced to remain on the cutting edge of air defense technology. Its defense network was eventually arranged to include a variety of short-, medium-, and long-ranged solutions to help counter the threat posed by high-flying bombers and spy aircraft. One of the entries into the long-range category became the classic S-200 missile - known to NATO as the SA-5 "Gammon" - and this series went on to see considerable adoption in the Cold War decades by a plethora of global operators beyond the Soviet Union. Design work on the S-200 is attributed to the Petr Grushin design bureau.

The Gammon series was introduced in 1967 and was featured in many of the notable conflicts of the 20th Century thereafter.

The SA-5 missile is directed primarily by way of the 5N62 series "Square Pair" radar which can track out to a distance of 170 miles (there are other available radar fits that can also be used). Several versions of the S-200 missile eventually appeared - the S-200A "Angara" is an original form of 1967 with 110 mile range followed by the S-200V "Vega" of 1970 with 150 mile range. The S-200 "Vega" increased range out to 190 miles and the S-200M "Vega-M" arrived as a modernized form. S-200E "Vega-E" was developed as the export-minded product form of the Gammon missile and S-200D "Dubna" arrived in 1976 as a nuclear-capable variant with 250 miles range.

The standard design of the missile itself consists of a tubular, highly aerodynamic shape with stabilization fins added. Each missile is fitted with four solid-fueled rocket booster units to help the missile reach engagement speeds as quickly as possible - offering little time for the target to react. The missile weighs in at 15,700 pounds and feature a nose-to-tail reach of 35 feet. The warhead is made up of a 478lb Fragmentation High-Explosive (Frag-HE) mix detonated either through proximity with the target or through command fusing. The rocket motor is a dual-thrust, liquid-fueled unit which, when coupled with the rocket boosters, allows the missile to reach speeds of 5,600 miles per hour up to altitudes of 130,000 feet out to 190 miles (range is variable and dependent upon the missile model in play). Guidance is through a semi-active radar homing seeker installed in the missile's head.

Since its inception, the SA-5 has proven its worth as a defensive-minded solution and deterrent. It is generally seen as accurate and its evolution from its original Cold War-era form has ensured it a place on the modern battlefield. Indeed both Russia and Iran are known to have undertaken more advanced forms of the missile. Current, notable operators of the SA-5 series includes Russia, Algeria, India, North Korea, Poland, Romania and Syria (among others). Former operators of the SA-5 system include many former Soviet allies like Belarus, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Georgia and Ukraine (among others). Gammon missile units were fielded in East Germany prior to German unification in 1990 as a deterrent to the West. In Russian service, six missile launcher units are assigned to a battalion and the current-generation missile in use is the S-200 "Dubna" type.

An SA-5 missile was responsible for the downing of a civilian Tupolev Tu-154. The incident involved a Siberia Airlines flight and a Ukrainian SA-5 system and occurred on October 4th, 2001. Seventy-eight people were killed.

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Power & Performance
Those special qualities that separate one land system design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the SA-5 (Gammon) / S-200 Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) Defense System.

Not Applicable.
Installed Power

5,602 mph
9,015 kph
Road Speed

186 miles
300 km
Range

Structure
The physical qualities of the SA-5 (Gammon) / S-200 Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) Defense System.

6
(MANNED)
Crew

35.4 ft
10.8 meters
O/A Length

15,653 lb
7,100 kg | 7.8 tons
Weight

Armament & Ammunition
Available supported armament, ammunition, and special-mission equipment featured in the design of the SA-5 / S-200 (Gammon) Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) Defense System.

1 x S-200 (SA-5 "Gammon") battlefield missile.

AMMUNITION:
Single-shot rail launch system used.

SPECIAL EQUIPMENT:
Nightvision - NONE.
Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear Protection (CBRN) - YES.

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the SA-5 / S-200 (Gammon) family line.

S-200 - Soviet / Russian Designation.

SA-5 "Gammon" - NATO Designation.

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the SA-5 / S-200 (Gammon). Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national land systems listing.

Total Production: 10,000 Units
Contractor(s): State Factories - Soviet Union

[ Algeria; Azerbaijan; Belarus; Bulgaria; Czechoslovakia; Czech Republic; East Germany; Georgia; Hungary; India; Iran; Kazahkstan; Latvia; Libya; Moldova; Mongolia; North Korea; Myanmar; Poland; Syria; Turkmenistan; Ukraine; Uzbekistan; Russia; Soviet Union ]

1 / 1

Image from the United States Department of Defense imagery database.

Design Qualities
Some designs are single-minded in their approach while others offer a more versatile solution to battlefield requirements.

ANTI-AIRCRAFT

Recognition
Some designs stand the test of time while others are doomed to never advance beyond the drawing board; let history be their judge.

Military lapel ribbon representing modern aircraft

Military lapel ribbon for the Ukranian-Russian War

Going Further...
The SA-5 / S-200 (Gammon) Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) Defense System appears in the following collections:

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