OVERVIEW:  SA-6b GAINFUL mod 1 (2K12 Kub M4; 3M9M3) SAM battalion is a mobile air defense unit intended to protect front line-armor and mechanized divisions against low-to-medium altitude threats.


DETAILS:  The SA-6b GAINFUL battalion can link to the Integrated Air Defense System  (IADS) for early warning and target acquisition data from radars. A typical engagement begins with detection by the  IADS surveillance radar.  This information, as well as height data from the THIN SKIN radar is sent to the SAM regiment, which designates the appropriate battery to engage the target.  To avoid revealing the battery's location, the battalion's G-band (acquisition) and H-band (tracking/illumination) STRAIGHT FLUSH or the H/I-band FIRE DOME radar does not transmit until a target is assigned. Unlike the SA-6a, the SA-6b missile seeker does not need to acquire the target before launch, allowing the missile to be fired before the target is illuminated. After launch, the STRAIGHT FLUSH or FIRE DOME radar guides it to an intercept by simultaneously tracking the target and the missile via its G/H band beacon, and controlling the missile via and I-band command link.  In the terminal phase, the missile is flown using  semi-active radar terminal homing. Each SA-6b battery is capable of engaging two targets at a  time, one target being illuminated with the STRAIGHT FLUSH radar, and a second target being illuminated with the FIRE DOME radar.
    

Specifications:

Maximum Acquisition Range: 	40.5 nm (STRAIGHT FLUSH); 54 nm (FIRE DOME) 
Maximum Tracking Range:		15 nm (STRAIGHT FLUSH); 51 nm (FIRE DOME)
Engagement Envelope:		66-26,247 ft (altitude),  2.16-13.5 nm range
Max Target Speed: 		1166 knts (head on), 583 knts (receding)
Reload Time:			10 minutes
Mobility:			mobile
Emplacement/Displacement:	5 minutes.  


NOTES:  IOC: 1978. 


SOURCES: "9M9." Guide to Military Equipment and Civil Aviation. Accessed December 10, 2016. http://www.deagel.com/Surface-to-Air-Missiles/9M9_a000831001.aspx ; "Legacy Air Defence System Vehicles." Accessed December 10, 2016. "2K12 Kub/Kvadrat Self Propelled Air Defence System / SA-6 Gainful" Air Power Australia. Accessed January 21, 2017. http://www.ausairpower.net/APA-2K12-Kvadrat.html.; IHS. "2K12 Kub." Land Warfare Platforms: Artillery & Air Defence, 01 April 2016; http://www.ausairpower.net/APA-2K12-Kvadrat.html ; US Army.; OPFOR WORLDWIDE EQUIPMENT GUIDE, Vol 2: Airspace and Air Defense Systems. TRADOC DCSINT Threat Support Directorate, December 2011, pg. 6-71 ; Vestnik-pvo; "Self-propelled air devense missile system 2K12 'Cube'". Accessed December 10, 2016. http://pvo.guns.ru/russia/index33.htm ; Kopp, Carlo. "Engagement and Fire Control Radars." Australian Airpower. Last modified August 2011. http://www.ausairpower.net/APA-Engagement-Fire-Control.html#mozTocId926428Control.html#mozTocId926428.
