Country of origin |
Soviet Union |
Entered service |
1971 |
Crew |
5 men |
Dimensions and weight |
Weight |
~ 18 t |
Length |
9.1 m |
Width |
2.78
m |
Height |
? |
Missile |
Missile length |
3.2 m |
Missile diameter |
0.21 m |
Missile weight |
126 kg |
Warhead weight |
20 kg |
Warhead type |
HE-FRAG |
Range of fire |
10 km |
Mobility |
Engine |
2D20B diesel |
Engine power |
300 hp |
Maximum road speed |
80 km/h |
Amphibious speed on water |
8 km/h |
Range |
500 km |
Maneuverability |
Gradient |
? |
Side slope |
? |
Vertical step |
~ 0.5 m |
Trench |
~ 1.2 m |
Fording |
Amphibious |
|
The Osa (Wasp)
is a short-range surface-to-air missile system. Its reporting name
in the West is SA-8 or Gecko. Its
development commenced in 1960. It was developed in response to the
US Mauler SAM system. Later the US project ran into problems and was
eventually cancelled. The Osa entered service with the Soviet Army
in 1971. This air defense system was used by motorized infantry
units. Production ceased in 1989. Since its introduction this air
defense system was exported to a number of countries. Currently the
Osa and its variants are used by 19 countries, including Russia
(400), Belarus, Greece (39), India (48), Poland (64) and Ukraine.
The Osa was
the first production mobile air defense missile system with radar
and missiles on a single vehicle. For the first time a single
vehicle could detect, track and engage aircraft. This system is used against aircraft and helicopters in any kind of
weather.
Initial
production version has four missiles. These had a maximum range of
10 km and maximum altitude of 5 km. Later production version, the
Osa-AK carries six missiles in containers. Maximum range increased
to 12 km. Missiles have contact and proximity fuses. Kill
probability for the early production system is 35-85%, depending on
altitude. On later production models kill probability increased to
55-85%. The Osa can not launch missiles on the move. It launches
them from stationary position or from short stops.
The Osa can
also operate independently. Its radar has acquisition range of about
30 km. Some sources clam that it detects aircraft at a range of up
to 40 km. System can search for targets while on the move. Tracking
range is about 20 km. On either side of the tracking radar there is
a small parabolic dish antenna to track the missile. So up to two
missiles can be guided simultaneously on a single target.
Furthermore both of these missiles are guided on different
frequencies, to complicate electronic countermeasures. This SAM
missile system can also operate with the aid of regimental
surveillance radars. Reaction time from target detection to launch
is 26 seconds.
Vehicle has
a crew of five. It seems that this vehicle is fitted with NBC
protection system. The Osa can stop from traveling and prepare for
engagement within 4 minutes.
This air
defense system is based on a BAZ-5937 6x6 amphibious wheeled
chassis. It is powered by a turbocharged diesel engine, developing
300 hp. It is also fitted with auxiliary gas turbine power unit,
which powers all systems when the main engine is turned off. First and third axles are steered. Vehicle is fitted with a
central tyre inflation system. However some sources claim that
cross-country mobility of this vehicle is limited. Chassis of this
air defense missile system is fully amphibious. On water it is
propelled by two waterjets. This air defense system can be also
transported by air by
Il-76 or similar
military cargo aircraft.
There is
also an associated reloading vehicle, which is based on a similar BAZ-5939
6x6 chassis. It carries 18 reload missiles in containers and is fitted
with a crane. All six missiles are reloaded within 5 minutes.
A battery of
Osa consists of 4 combat vehicles and 2 reloading vehicles.
Variants
Osa (SA-8)
initial production version fitted with 4 missiles. It entered
service with the Soviet Army in 1971.
Osa-M
(SA-N-4 Gecko) a naval version of the system. It has two missiles on
a retractable rotating launcher. It was introduced in 1971-1972.
Osa-AK
(SA-8B) fitted with six missiles. Missiles have a maximum range of
12 km. It was introduced in 1975.
Osa-AKM
fitted with new missiles. Maximum range was extended to 15 km. It
has improved kill probability against low flying helicopters. Previous
Osa systems were not effective against
helicopters flying just above tree tops. This system was introduced
in 1980. In 2020 a military conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan
revealed that the Osa-AKM systems are not effective against UAVs.
During that military conflict Azerbaijani
Bayraktar TB2 unamnnned aerial combat vehicles knocked out
Armenian Osa-AKM air defense systems.
Osa-1T a
Belarusian upgrade. Combat vehicle is based on the previous
BAZ-5937 of the new MZKT-69222 wheeled chassis. Missiles have a
maximum range of 20 km.
Osa-AKM-P1
Zadlo, a Polish upgrade of the system.
|