The S-75 (Russian: С-75; NATO reporting name SA-2 Guideline) is a Soviet-designed, high-altitude air defense system. It became one of the most widely deployed air defense systems after its introduction in 1957. Despite being replaced by more advanced systems, the S-75 remains in service in many nations worldwide.

Development

The S-75's development began in the late 1950s as a high-altitude surface-to-air missile system. It became widely deployed and saw various upgrades over the years.

Employment

The S-75 achieved its first notable success in 1959 when it shot down a Taiwanese RB-57D aircraft. In 1960, it played a critical role in the U-2 incident, shooting down Francis Gary Powers' U-2 aircraft. During the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, an S-75 system shot down a U-2 over Cuba. The S-75 was later supplied to North Vietnam, where it was used against American airpower during the Vietnam War. It was also used effectively in the Middle East, especially by Egypt and Syria, to defend against the Israeli Air Force. The last known success was in 1993 when Georgian missiles shot down a Russian Su-27 fighter during the War in Abkhazia.

HARM Codes

• Flat Face SR: 122
• Fan Song TR: 126

Components

A typical S-75 system consists of a Fan Song Tracking radar, a Flat Face Search radar, and a set of launchers. The Fan Song radar provides target tracking and guidance for the missiles, while the Flat Face radar provides search and acquisition capabilities.

Major Variants

The S-75 system has undergone various upgrades and modifications, resulting in different versions over the years. These variants include SA-2, SA-2B, SA-2C, SA-2D, SA-2E, SA-2F, SA-2 FC, SA-N-2A, SA-NX-2, and more. Additionally, several countries have developed their own versions and upgrades based on the S-75 design, including China and Iran.