Military Vehicles

The SS-23 Spider was a tactical ballistic missile deployed in 1985, but scrapped in 1989 under the Intermediate-Range and Shorter-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty.

Destroy with them were the SS-23s’ transport-erector launcher vehicles-modified BAZ-6944 8×8 trucks.

Unusually for mobile tactical-missile launchers, the BAZ-6944 was fully amphibious and could travel at 10km/h (6mph) in the water.  On land, its maximum speed was 70km/h (43mph) and a central tyre-pressure regulation system allowed it to maintain a good cross-country speeds.

In a four-year service life, 239 SS-23s were produced.  With a range of 500km (310miles) and accurate to 100m (328ft), the SS-23s were of genuine concern to NATO forces.

Country of Origin    :Russia/Soviet Union
Crew                        :3
Weight                     :29,000kg (63,900lb)
Dimensions             :Length: 11.76m (38.58ft); width: 3.19m (9.84ft); height: 3m (9.84ft)
Range                      :1000km (620miles)
Armour :Not available
Armament                :1 x SS-23 ballistic missile
Powerplant               :1 x UTD-258-cylinder diesel, each developing 394hp (294kW)
Performance             :Maximum road speed: 70km/h (43mph);