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SS-N-3 SEPAL
SSC-1a SHADDOCK

The "SHADDOCK/SEPAL" missile is an interesting example of the limits of Western intelligence during the early years of the Cold War, since NATO applied the SHADDOCK designation to six different and unrelated missiles, yet the virtually identical S-35 and P-35 missiles were given two different codenames -- SEPAL and SHADDOCK, respectively.

The SS-N-3 is a family of turbojet-powered, cruise missiles with three variants [confusingly, the Western nomenclature designates the initial P-5 variant with the highest number -- SS-N-3c].

The P-5 [SS-N-3c Shaddock], an inertially-guided missile, is launched from Echo II, Whiskey Conversion, and Juliett submarines and flies to a maximum range of 250 nm at a speed of . It is the oldest of the three SS-N-3 missiles and is almost identical to the Soviet Army SSC-1a (Shaddock). The P-5 cruise missile was designed in the 1950's by the Chelomey design bureau. The P-5 had a special system of two unfolding wings "ARK-5", which allowed it to be launched from the relatively low diameter cylindrical submarine launcher. P-5 had a range of 500 km at an altitude of 100-400 meters and a speed of 345 m/s [Mach 0.9]. The later P-7 variant had a range of 1000 km. These characteristics allowed the P-5 to effectively penetrate the US coastal air defense system of the early 1960's. The circular error probable at full range was 3,000m, which was compensated by the 930 Kg "RDS-4" nuclear warhead. As with the US Navy's Regulus, to fire the SS-N-3c the submarine platform had to surface for launch, deploy and activate a tracking radar, and remain on the surface linked to the high altitude cruise missile in flight via datalink, providing guidance commands based on the submarine radar's tracking data.

The P-6 [SS-N-3a Shaddock] is a more accurate cruise missile later developed for targeting US Aircraft carriers. This radar-homing missile is launched from Echo II and Juliett submarines and flies to a maximum range of 220 nm at a cruise speed of Mach 1.2. A 2200-lb conventional or nuclear warhead is estimated for the SS-N-3a. In its antiship version, the Echo depended on prior cueing by a radar-equipped maritime patrol aircraft and terminal homing by a radar seeker on the SS-N-3 itself. The high altitude, relatively slow SS-N-3 was vulnerable to air defenses in flight, and its radar seeker was vulnerable to jamming and deception measures.

The P-35 SS-N-3b (SEPAL), also a radar-homing missile, is launched from Kynda and Kresta I class guided-missile cruisers and generally flies to a range of 150 nm at a speed of Mach 1.2. It is estimated to carry a 2200-lb warhead.

The S-35 SSC-1a "SHADDOCK" missile is transported in and launched from a long cylindrical container mounted on an eight-wheel vehicle of distinctive appearance. For launching, the crew 'lowers the four hydraulic stabilization jacks, removes the hemispherical end covers to the top-mounted tables, clamps down the blast shields over the windows, and elevates the container to the proper launch angle. The SSC-lb coastal defense version can be distinguished by the longer driver's cab on the transport-launch vehicle.

Specifications

Contractor Chelomey
Entered Service
Total length 10.20 meters [SS-N-3a/b]
11.75 meters [SS-N-3c]
Diameter 0.98 meter
Wingspan 5.00 meters
Weight 5,400 kg
Warhead
  • 1000 kg conventional high explosive or
  • 350 kiloton nuclear warhead
  • Propulsion
  • 2 solid-fuel boosters
  • 1 turbo-jet sustainer
  • Maximum SpeedMach 0.9
    Maximum effective range 450 km [SS-N-3a/b]
    750 km [SS-N-3c]
    Guidance mode inertial with mid-course guidance through data link from launch platform
    Single-shot hit probability

    Sources and Resources



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