Simtimus Heavy Industries
[b]9S36M Buk-M3 Fire-Control Radar[/b]
Pages of history
The 9S36M traces its roots to the earlier 9S36 radar of the Buk-M2 system, a mast-mounted target illumination and guidance radar designed to raise the antenna roughly 20+ meters above ground for better low-altitude coverage in hilly or forested terrain.
For the modern 9K317M Buk-M3, the 9S36M evolves this concept into a dedicated [b]fire-control radar vehicle[/b]. It sits on a tracked Buk chassis and carries a telescopic boom topped with a phased-array radar head, responsible for precise target tracking and missile guidance for batteries built around 9A316M TELs (and optionally supporting 9A317M TELARs). In many configurations, a single 9S36M provides guidance for two TELs with a total of 12 ready-to-fire missiles.
Operational Buk-M3 units with 9S36M radars are reported in Russian service from the mid-2010s onward, with confirmed combat use in Ukraine. Open-source reporting highlights the 9S36M as a rare, high-value asset—losses of individual vehicles have been widely covered due to their cost and importance as the “eyes and hands” of Buk-M3 batteries.
Key Words
9S36M, 9S36, 9C36M, Buk-M3 radar, 9K317M, Buk M3 Viking, SA-27, Gollum, fire-control radar, illumination radar, Russian MRADS, SAM, Бук-М3, 9С36М.
What you found in game
In game, the 9S36M is a [b]Target Acquisition Radar[/b] for the Buk-M3 family. It is fitted with a Radar System found on 9S18M3 with downgraded range, though faster scan and wider vertical beam capable of up to 15 km Search and Track. Its main advantage is being able to elevate the radar up to 25 meters above the ground giving it great capabilities of detecting low flying targets, though its disadvantage is limited radar degree, not being able of 360° Scan and Track.
The vehicle is also fitted with an electro optical system capable of Tracking up to 8 km for slow moving targets and 4 km for fast moving targets.
[b]All vehicles have implemented a system that if target is lost it will continue leading the target based on its last known coordinates[/b]
Dimensions
Fits inside train workbench.
Length
Width
Height
In game
11.75 m
4.25 m
5 m
In real life
9.3 m
3.25 m
4.5 m
Updates
[b]17 November 2025[/b] – Changed Mast physics structure for less vibrations and easier deployment.
[b]18 November 2025[/b] – Increased radar Search and Track radar distance from 10km to 15km. Modified Fast Scan mode to hopefully have better search.
Credits
• [url=https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3578715160]FCS Type 7 | Fire Control System[/url]
• [url=https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3535639513]FCS Type 6 | Lock on with HMD [Transmit Only][/url]
• [url=https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3428063051]ROIFF [HMD | Monitor | Viewing scope] (Example)[/url]
