Tweaks for ARH seeker bands (9M96DM, R-77-1)

[sr71xx]

DB Selector

DB3K

Affected DBID(s)

sensor 4964, sensor 4156, sensor 5955

Summary of Changes

-9M96DM seeker to J band, add HOJ ability (sensor 4964) same seeker used by R-77-1, -R-77-1 / RVV-AE seeker to J band (sensor 5955)

R-77 uses very similar (if not exact) seeker as the 9M96 series missiles, which covers Ku band (J NATO) and has a Passive radar channel for home-on-jam

(here missilery source shows r-77-1 seeker, believed to be same seeker used on 9M96DM, being in Ku band and having a passive homing channel not only for mid course but also for HOJ)

(missilery source showing AR seeker for the R-37, believed to be same used on the 40N6 long range missile, having a dual X/Ku band seeker)

(reliable twitter source with accurate avionics/radar knowledge showing Ku band as most likely for the 9M96 and R-77)

Sources

https://en.missilery.info/missile/rvv-cd/9b-1103m-200ps https://en.missilery.info/missile/r37/9b-1103m-350 https://x.com/krakek1/status/1809158565547905179?s=46

[LuigiP57]

Dude, I have to warn you that if you set “X/Y” band on one sensor, its actual detection effect will be diminished. Please consider your request.

[sr71xx]

Dude, I have to warn you that if you set “X/Y” band on one sensor, its actual detection effect will be diminished. Please consider your request.

I understand the decrease in tracking ranges at higher frequencies, but the 9M96 seeker is said to be in the ku range to enable direct impact mechanism instead of proximity fuse which is standard of traditional X-band TVM or SARH. Standard X isn't accurate enough for direct impact. That's why PAC-3 use Ku/Ka and Aster 30 uses Ka (millimeter wave). Same Ku seeker used on R-77 which also uses a direct impact mechanism.

Also, terminal ARH seekers are connected to a 2-way or 3-way datalink synced with multiple radars and the command post, so the missile itself will receive SARH/TVM guidance from fire control and mid-course uplink from acquisition radars until the ARH seeker can track the target by itself, only then will ARH operate alone and even in terminal stages, some missiles may use SARH from acquisition radars, TVM from FCR radar, and the terminal stage seeker all at the same time! It all depends on what radars can detect and track a target in the battery, and of course how the datalinks and software of the command post/radars work together.

[sr71xx]

I changed bands for the Active Radar seekers on R-77-1 / RVV-AE to J only, instead of J/K. Since K is partially Ka band and there is no evidence the seeker of 9m96/r77 use Ka band. J band should cover a good portion of Ku band according to sources to enable the direct impact design, especially the 9M96DM which is supposed to be a competitor to PAC-3 (of course excluding the advanced HTK mechanism and higher frequency Ka band ARH sensor)

Given the reported and speculated performance of S-350 Vityaz complex against rocket artillery/MLRS and ballistic missiles, it's a good estimate that their missiles are definitely more effective and accurate than the traditional SARH/TVM guided 5V55R and 48N6 series of the s300 series whose SARH receivers operate in the X band, and don't use any terminal active radar seekers.