Strela-1

“Strela-1” (MMAC index – 9K31, according to the classification of the US and NATO Defenсe Ministries - SA-9 Gaskin) is a Soviet anti-aircraft missile system designed to provide direct cover for motorized rifle and tank units from enemy air strikes. It was put into service in 1968. The chief designer is O. Nudelman.

The system consists of a 9P31 combat vehicle (with or without a passive radio direction finder), a 9M31 anti-aircraft guided missile in a container, and technical support equipment. The combat vehicle is equipped with a launcher with four guides, launching equipment, a sighting device, a passive radio direction finder and communications equipment. The passive radio direction finder is designed to detect aircraft and other radiating devices at a distance of up to 20 km. The chassis of the BRDM-2 is used as a base for the “Strela-1” combat vehicle.

On August 25, 1960, in accordance with the Decree of the Council of Ministers of the USSR, the development of the regimental self-propelled anti-aircraft missile system “Strela-1” began. It was supposed to be a lightweight portable air Defence system consisting of two parts weighing no more than 10-15 kg each. The complex was intended to engage air targets flying at speeds of up to 200-250 m/s at altitudes from 50-100 to 1000-1500 m at a range of up to 2 km.

SDO-16, later transformed into the Precision Engineering Design Bureau (PEDB) of the Ministry of Defence (Chief Designer O. Nudelman), was appointed as the main developer of the complex and the anti-aircraft guided missile. The chief designer of the optical homing head for the SAM was TsKL-589 DCTB headed by V. Khrustalev, and later the work on the GUIDANCE SYSTEM for the 9M31 SAM was headed by D. Khorol.

In accordance with this Resolution, another SAM, the man-portable Strela-2, was being developed in parallel. Initially, the development of the “Strela-1” to some extent insured the work on the “Strela-2” complex, which was associated with a greater degree of technical risk. After the main important issues related to the development of the “Strela-2” system were resolved, the question arose as to the future of the “Strela -1” system, which had virtually the same flight characteristics. Subsequently, the developers decided to set higher requirements for the Strela-1 system in terms of maximum range (up to 5 km) and altitude range (up to 3,500 m), and to place the system on a car chassis (this was supposed to increase the weight and dimensions of the missile). The armored reconnaissance road vehicle BRDM-2 was used as a base for the Strela-1 self-propelled SAM.

In the process of developing both air Defence systems, the concept of combat use of the systems was determined: “Strela-2” man-portable system is used in the battalion air Defence unit, and “Strela-1” self-propelled system - in the regimental one, in addition to the “Shilka” self-propelled anti-aircraft system, whose range (2.5 km) did not ensure the defeat of enemy aircraft and helicopters before they launched guided missiles at the positions and objects of the motorized rifle (tank) regiment (4...5 km). Thus, the Strela-1 air Defence system with its extended kill zone fit well into the military air Defence system under development.

After eight years of work, state tests of the “Strela-1” prototype began in 1968. By a decree of the CPSU Central Committee and the USSR Council of Ministers of April 25, 1968, the system was adopted. Serial production of the 9A31 combat vehicle of the Strela-1 SAM was launched at the Saratov Aggregate Plant of the Ministry of Defence Industry, and the 9M31 missile at the Kovrov Mechanical Plant of the Ministry of Defence Industry.