Hermes (Russian: Гермес)[3] is a family of modularly designed guided missiles developed in Russia by the KBP Instrument Design Bureau.
| Hermes | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Air-to-surface Surface-to-surface Land-attack Anti-tank guided missile Surface-to-air |
| Place of origin | Russia |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | KBP Instrument Design Bureau[1] |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 110 kg (missile + container, 170 mm booster stage)[2] 130 kg (missile + container, 210 mm booster stage)[2] |
| Length | 3500 mm (container)[2] |
| Diameter | booster stage, 170/210 mm;[2] sustainer stage, 130 mm[2] |
| Engine | Solid-fuel rocket |
Operational range | 15-20 km (170 mm booster stage)[2] 100 km (210 mm booster stage)[2] |
| Maximum speed | 1000 m/s (170 mm booster stage)[2] 1300 m/s (210 mm booster stage)[2] |
Guidance system | target area: radio-command guidance, terminal path: semi-active laser guidance |
Launch platform | Rotary and fixed-wing platforms, ships, and ground vehicles |
The Hermes missile can be used from air, ground or naval launchers.
Development
editDevelopment of the Hermes by the KBP Instrument Design Bureau started in the 1990s. The missile bears a striking resemblance to the 57E6 used by the Pantsir missile system, and it is probably a derivative of this model. The Hermes-A variant was trialed in 2003. The series production of the Hermes was meant to start in 2011-2012, but this did not happen, as the development process was stopped for several years.[2] In 2016, it was announced that the Hermes missile would be tested in live conditions in Syria.[3] However, nothing indicates that this actually happened. But in the late 2010s, a series of announcements signaled a renewed interest in the missile, following experience from the Russian military intervention in the Syrian civil war showing the need for more high-precision armaments.[2]
Description
editThe Hermes system features a multistage rocket missile with a high-powered booster. Two booster diameters are available, 170 and 210 mm. It uses inertial and/or radio-command guidance for the cruise phase, and semi-active laser guidance for the terminal phase. Radar and infrared homing are also talked about. The Hermes is designed to engage a great variety of targets, including armoured vehicles, fortifications of various types, small naval surface targets, artillery positions, slow-flying air targets, and others.[2] It can be fired single or in volleys at ranges of up to 100 km and can track and destroy over-the-horizon targets.[4]
Characteristics
editVariants
edit- Hermes-A: Air-launched version.[5][6] To be used by the Kamov Ka-52 (up to 16 launchers) and possibly the Sukhoi Su-25. Range between 15 and 20 km.[2]
- Hermes-K: Naval version.[7] Two types of supports are available: a simpler support with four launchers for lighter naval units, and a modified version of the AK-306 CIWS with four launchers for heavier vessels. The Hermes-K's range can be increased up to 100 km with the use of the 210 mm booster.[2]
- Hermes-S: Land vehicle version.[8][9] Uses a Kamaz truck chassis, transporting up to 24 missiles. Versions with and without a guidance system for the missiles have been shown in designer drawings. Moreover, a fire-control vehicle with a mast-mounted radar or opto-electronic detection system has also been shown. A coastal defence version is also possible. The Hermes-S's range can be increased to 100 km with the use of the 210 mm booster.[2]
See also
edit- Nimrod – (Israel)
- 9M337 Sosna-R – (Russia)
- Pantsir missile system – (Russia)
- HJ-10 – (China)
- Pantsir-M – (Russia)
References
edit- ^ "HERMES Guided Weapon System". Archived from the original on 4 March 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r "[Actu] Le retour des missiles "Hermes"". Red Samovar. 7 November 2018.
- ^ a b Рамм, Алексей (26 October 2016). "Российская армия испытает в Сирии сверхдальнобойные ракеты". iz.ru.
- ^ Комплекс управляемого вооружения «ГЕРМЕС» (in Russian). ГУП «Конструкторское бюро приборостроения». Archived from the original on 16 February 2011. Retrieved 16 October 2009.
- ^ "HERMES-A Guided Weapon System". KBP Instrument Design Bureau. Archived from the original on 10 November 2021.
- ^ "HERMES-A Guided Weapon System". KBP Instrument Design Bureau. Archived from the original on 9 March 2010.
- ^ "HERMES-K Guided Weapon System". KBP Instrument Design Bureau. Archived from the original on 9 March 2010.
- ^ "HERMES Guided Weapon System". Archived from the original on 10 November 2021.
- ^ "HERMES Guided Weapon System". KBP Instrument Design Bureau. Archived from the original on 14 February 2010.