SA-12 (Gladiator / Giant) / S-300V

Long-Range, High-Altitude Self-Propelled Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) System

Soviet Union | 1988

"The SA-12 Gladiator SAM system was developed by Soviet industry as a long-range anti-ballistic missile defense system while also retaining an anti-aircraft capability."

Image from the United States Department of Defense imagery database.

Power & Performance
Those special qualities that separate one land system design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the SA-12 (Gladiator / Giant) Long-Range, High-Altitude Self-Propelled Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) System.

1 x Diesel powerplant driving track-and-wheel arrangement (MT-T tracked vehicle).
Installed Power

40 mph
65 kph
Road Speed

311 miles
500 km
Range

Structure
The physical qualities of the SA-12 (Gladiator / Giant) Long-Range, High-Altitude Self-Propelled Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) System.

4
(MANNED)
Crew

28.7 ft
8.75 meters
O/A Length

10.8 ft
3.3 meters
O/A Width

9.8 ft
3 meters
O/A Height

81,571 lb
37,000 kg | 40.8 tons
Weight

Armament & Ammunition
Available supported armament, ammunition, and special-mission equipment featured in the design of the SA-12 (Gladiator / Giant) / S-300V Long-Range, High-Altitude Self-Propelled Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) System.

2 OR 4 x Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs) seated over the rear of the hull.

AMMUNITION:
2 x 9M82 "Giant" OR 4 x 9M83 "Gladiator" missiles depending on carrier vehicle.

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the SA-12 (Gladiator / Giant) / S-300V family line.

S-300V (Antey-300) - Base Designation; mobile and fixed launcher forms available.

SA-12B "Giant" - NATO Designation of two-tube model featuring the 9M82 Giant missile series; 9A84 LLV vehicle.

SA-12 "Gladiator" - NATO Designation of four-tube model featuring the 9M83 Gladiator missile series; 9A85 LLV vehicle.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 02/27/2022 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

The S-300V (NATO codename of SA-12 Gladiator or Giant) was developed by the Soviets during the Cold War period (1947-1991) as part of the wider-ranging S-300 Anti-Aircraft (AA) Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) defensive-minded line of vehicles. This series, however, ultimately emerged as a completely different form from the multi-wheeled S-300 airspace denial units. It was given to a different developer and manufacturer than those of the S-300 family while featuring altogether different missiles - the 9M82 "Giant" and the 9M83 "Gladiator". Two- and four-shot launcher forms were devised and the types have been fielded in the anti-ballistic missile role while also being able to provide protection against inbound aerial threats - such as aircraft and cruise missiles - at long range. It still sees service on today's battlefields despite its Cold War roots.

The S-300V series was taken into service in 1983 and full-strength was eventually before the end of the decade; around 1988.

The S-300V utilizes the chassis of the MT-T carrier tracked combat vehicle. The tracked nature of this chassis allows it to travel cross-country easily enough while keeping pace with the main mechanized fighting force. Over the top of the vehicle are large launch tubes housing the primary armament of 9M82 "Giant" or 9M83 series missiles and the launcher is hinged along the rear edge of the hull and propped upwards when the tubes are made ready-to-fire. The missiles can not only engage at long range but also high altitude - making them doubly-dangerous. A typical SA-12 arrangement in the Soviet/Russian ranks is up to six of these launcher vehicles assigned with a target detection/designation vehicle.

China has produced a local variant of the S-300V as the "HQ-18".

Content ©MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the SA-12 (Gladiator / Giant) / S-300V. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national land systems listing.

Total Production: 600 Units
Contractor(s): State Factories - Soviet Union / Russia / China

[ China (HQ-18); Russia; Soviet Union ]

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Image of the SA-12 (Gladiator / Giant) / S-300V

Image from the United States Department of Defense imagery database.

Going Further...
The SA-12 (Gladiator / Giant) / S-300V Long-Range, High-Altitude Self-Propelled Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) System appears in the following collections:

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