S-300 Launch Mishap
- Thread starter tomahawk6
- Start date
I'm not sure there would have been anyone in the vehicle. While some launchers have an armoured compartment for the detachment, this vehicle looks pretty spartan. Could be though. If not, the detachment is in a remote firing point where it initiates the launch sequence fires the SOB on order.
Clearly the propellant had been made by the lowest bidder, and/or it had deteriorated badly in storage.
In the mid-sixties 1 SSM Bty had a rocket blow a seal and vent thrust in both directions. It apparently tried to run up the rail on the launcher, but the counter-thrust would force it back. After several seconds of back and forth, it got far enough to pass the trip for the spin rockets which ignited and it rolled off the launcher to lie beside it going through its death throes like Godzilla in an epic Japanese horror flick. Those who saw it said it was really spectacular, or as sectacular a sight as one could see from the prone position.
Clearly the propellant had been made by the lowest bidder, and/or it had deteriorated badly in storage.
In the mid-sixties 1 SSM Bty had a rocket blow a seal and vent thrust in both directions. It apparently tried to run up the rail on the launcher, but the counter-thrust would force it back. After several seconds of back and forth, it got far enough to pass the trip for the spin rockets which ignited and it rolled off the launcher to lie beside it going through its death throes like Godzilla in an epic Japanese horror flick. Those who saw it said it was really spectacular, or as sectacular a sight as one could see from the prone position.
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S-300 uses a cold launch, so there was no propellent involved at that stage. I can think of two potential faults that could cause this: the launch mechanism didn't provide the correct forces to remove safeties that allow the motor igniter to function, or the igniter for the motor failed to function despite the forces being there.
Still a pain in the ass to clean up.
Still a pain in the ass to clean up.
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Old Sweat said:
According to the website the missile had been in storage for ten years.
Oompah-Loompah@
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GAP said:
Wikipedia says contact+proximity fuzes.
Lucky the thing didn't blow up.
Journeyman
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That's for detonation, not arming.Sadukar09 said:
