This is one of the first images of ABM-1 Galosh, initially called by the US Department of Defense as “SA-7“. The MAZ-543 truck became the “official transport” of almost all ICBM and derived missiles during that time. Three of the four missile nozzles can be seen behind the truck cab.The missile was fired from fixed silos type launchers that formed the different defensive batteries. There were different test firings in the years 1971, 1976, 1977, 1993 and 1999, so the system still active after the dissolution of the USSR.It is known that “Hen House” early warning radar was located in Irkutsk (Siberia), as well as other components of the ABM system were distributed in several parts of the USSR as Murmansk, Latvia or Kazakhstan. However, missile launchers, (on the image), were deployed mainly in the Moscow district.The A-350 was a three-stage solid-fueled missile capable of make interceptions up to 350km from its launch base and up to 120km altitude. The improved version A-350Zh had a liquid fuel third stage propulsion and could be turned off and on again in flight. In this way, the missile can discern between decoys and the real warheads and to be able to intercept them.In 1978, the improved ABM-1B Galosh variant was presented, which along with the Dunay-3U radar (“Cat House”) enhanced the capabilities of the missile in a remarkable way. The “Cat House” radar was located in Oblast, district of Moscow, and was able to detect Pershing II missiles launches from West Germany.
