The SS-21 SCARAB (9K79 Tochka) single-stage, short-range, tactical-ballistic
missile is transported
and fired from the 9P129 6x6 wheeled transporter erector launcher. It is
supported by a tactical
transloader (9T218) and a 9T238 missile transporter trailer towed by a
ZIL-131 truck. The 9P129 TEL
crew compartment is in the forward section and the missile compartment
behind. During transport the
missile is enclosed with the warhead in a temperature-controlled casing.
The SS-21 SCARAB missile (9M79) has a maximum range of 70 km and a CEP of 160
meters, while the
improved composite propellant 9M79-1 (Tochka-U) has a maximum range of 120
km. The basic warhead is
the 9N123F HE-Frag warhead which has 120 kg of high explosives. The 9N123K
submunition warhead can
probably carry either bomblets or mines. The SS-21 can also carry the AA60 tactical nuclear warhead.
Other warheads are believed to include chemical, terminally guided warhead,
and a smart-munition
bomblet warhead. In 1981, the SS-21, a guided missile (providing improvement
in both range and
accuracy), began replacing the FROG in forward-deployed divisions, and 140
are were deployed as of
1988. Division-level SS-21 battalions were being consolidated into brigades
in Soviet armies in East
Germany.
