OVERVIEW:  The SA-20b GARGOYLE B aka SA-10e SAM battalion is a mobile air defense unit using the S-300PMU-2 system.  It is intended to provide area defense against airborne threats, including stealth aircraft, at all altitudes.


DETAILS:  The SA-20b GARGOYLE B battalion is a mobile air defense unit intended for providing area defense against airborne threats, including stealth aircraft with an RCS as low as 0.02 square meters.  A typical engagement begins with detection by the TIN SHIELD, BIG BIRD surveillance radar or the CLAM SHELL low altitude search and acquisition radar. Illumination and Guidance duties are handed off to the 30N6 TOMBSTONE radar, which illuminates the target.  After illumination, the SA-20 is fired from a vertical position and is initially guided by autopilot and INS until the missile is within the tracking beam of the TOMBSTONE radar. Once within the beam the missile receives command guidance updates from the ground until its SAR seeker is within range of the target. Once within range, the missile detects the reflected signal off the target and relays it back to the ground station via a datalink.  The ground station then computes an interception course and uses the datalink to send guidance commands back to the missile.  

The SA-20 can be fired at 3 second intervals, with a claimed single shot kill probability of 80% to 93% for aerial targets, 40% to 85% for cruise missiles and 50% to 77% for TBMs (for the SA-20b).
 

Specifications:

Maximum Acquisition Range: 	160 nm (TOMBSTONE)(v. Mig-21 size target) 
Maximum Tracking Range:		90 nm (TOMBSTONE)
Engagement Envelope:		2.7-81 nm; 5-150 km (range); 33-88,583 feet, 0.010-27 km (altitude)
Max Target Speed: 		??? knts (head on), ??? knts (receding)
Reload Time:			?? minutes
Mobility:			mobile
Emplacement/Displacement:	?? minutes.  


NOTES:  IOC: 1993. The Track via Missile (TVM) system used by the SA-20 potentially provides more accurate tracking information because the missile's radar receiver proximity to the target than the ground station, and the more capable tracking computer being housed at the ground station instead of in the missile itself. Additionally, the ground station can combine targeting information from both the missile and direct radar reflections from the target to calculate more precise intercepts and provide ECM resistance.  However, the system is vulnerable to possible jamming of the missile-ground station datalink.


SOURCES: Jane's Land Warfare Platforms: Artillery & Air Defense, "S-300P", 17 May 2016; Jane's Weapons: Naval, "S-300F Fort (Rif)(SA-N-6 'Grumble') and S-300 FM Fort-M (Rif-M) (SA-N-20 'Gargoyla'), 22 September 2016; Jane's Land Warfare Platforms: Artillery & Air Defense, "S-300P", 17 May 2016; Administrator. "S-300 PM SA-10C Surface to Air Missile Technical Data | S-300PM SA-10C Grumble C Systems Vehicles UK | Russia Russian Army Military Equipment Vehicles UK." Global Military Army Magazine Defence Security Industry Technology News Exhibition World Land Forces - Army Recognition. Last modified October 12, 2018. https://www.armyrecognition.com/s-300pm_sa-10c_grumble_c_systems_vehicles_uk/s-300_pm_sa-10c_surface_to_air_missile_technical_data_sheet_information_description_pictures_photos.html ; 
Dr Carlo Kopp, PEng. "Almaz S-300P/PT/PS/PMU/PMU1/PMU2 / Almaz-Antey S-400 Triumf /SA-10/20/21 Grumble / Gargoyle." Air Power Australia. Last modified 2007. http://www.ausairpower.net/APA-Grumble-Gargoyle.html ; Pike, John. "S-300 Series Tactical and Technical Performance." GlobalSecurity.org. Last modified September 7, 2011. https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/s-300-list.htm ; Accessed December 24, 2018. https://www.armyrecognition.com/s-300pm1_s-300pmu1_sa-20a_gargoyle_a_systems_uk/s-300pmu1_s-300_pmu1_sa-20a_gargoyle_a_surface_to_air_defense_missile_system_technical_data_sheet_uk.html ; Aviation Week | Aerospace Defense, Business & Commercial News. Accessed December 24, 2018. http://aviationweek.com/site-files/aviationweek.com/files/uploads/2015/07/asd_08_06_2015_dossier.pdf ; Department of the Army. "Worldwide Equipment Guide, Vol. 2." Last modified December 2015.
