October 12, 2004 :: Interfax :: News
Russian S-75 air defense interceptors may have their more primitive liquid-fueled engines replaced by newer and more sophisticated “scramjet” engines, which will allow them to serve as future targets for Russian missile defense tests, reports Interfax, citing a “source in the Russian defence industry.”
“With the scramjets installed, the missile’s flight will become stable in terms of speed and altitude and the range and the cruising speed will increase,” the source is quoted as saying, adding that the missile will be capable of flying at twice the speed of sound, and have an extended range of 70 km even at low altitudes. The improved missile targets are said to likely attract other customers as well, perhaps foreign. The S-75 has been widely proliferated around the world; some S-75 missiles were recently discovered in Iraq; a number had been used against American troops in the first Gulf War. The S-75 or SA-2 is the interceptor which shot down Gary Powers’ U-2 plane. Some 120 sites armed with the S-75 may still be operational across Russia.
In the article, Russia is called the leader in scramjet technology. The recent American X-43 hypersonic test also employed a scramjet engine. Scramjet technology has also been suggested as a possible means by which Russian warheads could evade future American missile defenses. (Article)
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