SS-N-11 [Styx SS-N-2C]

The SS-N-11 designator is very poorly attested, and unlike the SS-N-10, it arose and faded without much notice, redesignated 'SS-N-2C' 'Styx C'. When first observed the P-15M missile was thought by NATO to be an entirely new design and it was assigned the designation SS-N-11. When the truth of the matter was revealed the missile was redesignated SS-N-2C "Styx".

There have been a great number of Styx variations since its introduction with subsequent changes in length, weight, range, and guidance mode. Known models have been the -2A, 2B and a missile initially termed the SS-N-11, which since is believed to be a Styx modification. Styx was installed in the Komar, OSA I, OSA II, and Kildin missile boats. The OSA II installation shows 4 missile launchers, 2 on each side, one behind the other.

The Soviet Navy followed the SS-N-1 with the SS-N-2, deployed on fast, relatively small patrol craft. The SS-N-2 was a comparatively short-range missile - 25 nm maximum - with a speed of about Mach 0.9. The missile patrol craft locates its target visually or with surface search radar. The observed data are fed into a computer for a fire control solution, and the patrol craft heads directly toward the target for about two minutes to stabilize the free reference gyros in the missile before the missile is launched. The SS-N-2 flies according to instructions preset in its autopilot until its radar begins to direct the missile's flight.

Soviet training manuals claim that missiles have an overall hit probability of from 60 to 90 percent, as compared with under 10 percent for naval guns and 10 to 25 percent for torpedoes. One direct hit with a high-explosive SS-N-2 Styx missile, according to the manuals, can destroy a transport or a destroyer-size warship. Three hits will destroy a cruiser-size ship. If this textbook ratio is continued, an estimated five to seven hits will destroy an aircraft carrier, but one hit - in the hangar deck, for instance - possibly could prevent the carrier from launching its aircraft.

In December 1971 the Central Intelligence Agency reported ["Intelligence Report - The Soviet Naval Cruise Missile Force: Development and Operiatonal Employment", SR IS 71-19] "The SS-N-2 is difficult to maneuver and must have its launcher pointed at the target for launch. These limitations do not significantly degrade the overall capabilities of the missile and its patrol craft launcher. The SS-N-2 system is still widely deployed in the Soviet Navy and has been exportedto several countries. The Soviets are slowly re-placing their own SS-N-2s with a rocket-propelled missile - the SS-N-11... The SS-N-11 is believed to be similar to theSS-N-2 in size because both are launched from tubesof about the same size. In place of the SS-N-2's liquid-fueled rocket sustainer engine, however, the SS-N-11 is believed to have a solid-propellant rocket sustainer engine. Little else is known of the missile, but it s presumed to have improvements allowing the launching ship to laucn while not headed straight at the target. It may also have laternate means of aterminal homing - such as infrared - in addition to active radar. The date of the missiles initial operational capabilit is estimated to be 1969. More information will probably be forthcoming if the Soviets begin deploying the missile outside of the USSR and exporting it to other nations as they have athe NN-N-2."