Missile P-500 Bazalt (SS-N-12 Sandbox)

The P-500 Bazalt, designated 4K80 by the GRAU and SS-N-12 Sandbox by NATO, is a supersonic cruise missile designed for anti-ship operations. Development occurred between 1963 and 1974, with the system entering service in 1975 to replace the P-5 Pyatyorka. An updated version, the P-1000 Vulkan (GRAU 3M70), was ordered in 1979 and accepted for service in 1987.

The missile utilizes a turbojet engine and is capable of supersonic flight. It is equipped with either a semi-armor-piercing high-explosive warhead or a nuclear warhead. Guidance is achieved through semi-active radar homing and terminal active radar homing, with mid-course correction provided by Tu-95RTs, Ka-25K, or Ka-31 aircraft. The system is designed for coordinated salvo launches. In this configuration, one missile in the group flies at a higher altitude to identify targets via active radar, transmitting data to the other missiles which fly at lower altitudes. If the high-altitude missile is destroyed, another missile from the salvo automatically ascends to replace it. The P-1000 Vulkan variant features improved engines and guidance, utilizing a starting powder accelerator for launch.

The P-500 Bazalt was initially deployed on Kiev-class aircraft carriers and later integrated into Echo II and Juliett-class submarines. It is also the primary armament for Slava-class cruisers, which feature characteristic external launch tubes flanking the superstructure. The P-1000 Vulkan was installed on select Echo II submarines and Slava-class cruisers, including the Varyag and Moskva. The missile system was originally operated by the Soviet Navy and remains in service with the Russian Navy. Several submarines equipped with the system were decommissioned between 1989 and 1995, including one unit following a reactor accident.