MAKS 2019: Tor-E2 SAM system breaks cover

Russia’s Izhevsk Electro-Mechanical Plant Kupol, a subsidiary of the Almaz-Antey Concern, has unveiled the latest iteration of the Tor ‘SA-15 Gauntlet’ short-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system: the 9K331E Tor-E2.

Kupol promotes the Tor-E2 as “a new generation of the Tor family”. The Tor-E2 is armed with 16 9M338KE ready-to-launch effectors in two eight-cell launch canisters, all of which can be replaced in 25 minutes.

Like other Tor family SAM systems, it is designed to engage fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, various missiles (including cruise and anti-radiation ones), guided and gliding bombs, and unmanned aerial vehicles round the clock. The Tor-E2 system can simultaneously detect and process up to 48 targets at a range of up to 32,000 m, analyse the air picture and automatically select the most immediate threats, track 10 targets, and simultaneously engage four. The Tor-E2’s combat vehicle (CV) can share target information with other CVs.

A 9M338KE surface-to-air guided missile displayed in its container in front of a Tor-E2 tracked combat vehicle at the MAKS 2019 International Air Show. (N Novichkov)

According to Kupol, the integration of the new missile has reinforced the system’s combat performance: the Tor-E2 can engage an aerial target flying at a distance of up to 16,000 m and at an altitude of up to 12,000 m.

Like the Tor-M2E, the Tor-E2 is based on a tracked vehicle, producing a top speed of 65 km/h and a cruising range of 500 km. The system weighs 37 tonnes and is operated by a three-strong crew.

The 9M338KE missile, which has an engagement speed of 1000 m/s, is 2940 mm in length, 240 mm in diameter, and weighs 163 kg. The missile is furnished with a high-explosive blast fragmentation warhead with two fuze modes: radar proximity and impact.