9M120 Ataka-V
Encyclopedia
The AT-9 Spiral-2 is the NATO reporting name
for the 9M120 Ataka-V SACLOS
radio guided anti-tank missile system of the Soviet Union
. It is the next major generation in the 9K114 Shturm (AT-6 Spiral) family. This system is often confused with the 9K121 Vikhr system.
The missile has been designed to defeat tanks with composite armour
.
, Kolomna
. The missile entered service some time in the 1990s. It was first mentioned in Russian documents around 1992. It appears to be an evolutionary development of the AT-6 Spiral system - heavier and faster. Range and accuracy have reportedly been increased as well.
The missile has often been confused in the west with the 9A1472 Vikhr dual-purpose laser beam riding missile used on the Kamov helicopters and Sukhoi attack aircraft (as well as some Ukrainian Mi-24/35 upgrades). These systems are completely unrelated in their design and are in fierce competition.
There are three main missiles which are all compatible with the launch system. The first is a two-stage anti-armour weapon. Second is a missile termed 9M120F which has a thermobaric warhead for use against infantry positions. Finally there is a version with proximity fused expanding rod warhead the 9A220O. This provides the system with a limited air to air capability.
The system is carried by the Mi-28 and some Mil Mi-24 prototypes. It is also offered in vehicle (Ataka-T) and ship launched versions.
NATO reporting name
NATO reporting names are classified code names for military equipment of the Eastern Bloc...
for the 9M120 Ataka-V SACLOS
SACLOS
SACLOS is an acronym for Semi-Automatic Command to Line of Sight, a second-generation method of missile guidance. In SACLOS, the operator has to continually point a sighting device at the target while the missile is in flight...
radio guided anti-tank missile system of the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
. It is the next major generation in the 9K114 Shturm (AT-6 Spiral) family. This system is often confused with the 9K121 Vikhr system.
The missile has been designed to defeat tanks with composite armour
Composite armour
Composite armour is a type of vehicle armour consisting of layers of different material such as metals, plastics, ceramics or air. Most composite armour are lighter than their all-metal equivalent, but instead occupy a larger volume for the same resistance to penetration...
.
Development
The missile was designed by KBMKBM
Order of Lenin and Order of Labour Red Banner FSUE "KB Mashinostroyeniya or KBM for short is a state defense enterprise, scientific and design R&D center specialized in missile systems located in Kolomna, Moscow region, Russia....
, Kolomna
Kolomna
Kolomna is an ancient city and the administrative center of Kolomensky District of Moscow Oblast, Russia, situated at the confluence of the Moskva and Oka Rivers, southeast of Moscow. The area of the city is about . The city was founded in 1177...
. The missile entered service some time in the 1990s. It was first mentioned in Russian documents around 1992. It appears to be an evolutionary development of the AT-6 Spiral system - heavier and faster. Range and accuracy have reportedly been increased as well.
The missile has often been confused in the west with the 9A1472 Vikhr dual-purpose laser beam riding missile used on the Kamov helicopters and Sukhoi attack aircraft (as well as some Ukrainian Mi-24/35 upgrades). These systems are completely unrelated in their design and are in fierce competition.
Description
The missile is stored in a glass reinforced plastic tube, which also acts as its launcher. The missile is reported to be considerably faster than the AT-6 Spiral, with slightly longer range than the original version. It still uses radio command guidance, but the system has been improved when compared to the earlier 9K114 Shturm.There are three main missiles which are all compatible with the launch system. The first is a two-stage anti-armour weapon. Second is a missile termed 9M120F which has a thermobaric warhead for use against infantry positions. Finally there is a version with proximity fused expanding rod warhead the 9A220O. This provides the system with a limited air to air capability.
The system is carried by the Mi-28 and some Mil Mi-24 prototypes. It is also offered in vehicle (Ataka-T) and ship launched versions.
General characteristics 9M120 (AT-9 Spiral-2)
- Length: 1830 mm (with standoff probe)
- Wingspan: 360 mm
- Diameter: 130 mm
- Launch weight (including container): 49.2 kg - 48.5 kg (estimates vary)
- Speed: 550 m/s
- Range: 400 m - 6 km \ 800 m - 8 km for the 9М120М model
- Guidance: Radio command link SACLOSSACLOSSACLOS is an acronym for Semi-Automatic Command to Line of Sight, a second-generation method of missile guidance. In SACLOS, the operator has to continually point a sighting device at the target while the missile is in flight...
- Warhead: shaped charge (probably 5-8 kg) tandem HEATHeatIn physics and thermodynamics, heat is energy transferred from one body, region, or thermodynamic system to another due to thermal contact or thermal radiation when the systems are at different temperatures. It is often described as one of the fundamental processes of energy transfer between...
800 mm vs RHARolled homogeneous armourRolled homogeneous armour is a type of steel which is used to armour vehicles.-Composition:Armoured steel must be hard yet impervious to shock in order to resist high velocity metal projectiles. Steel with these characteristics is produced by processing cast steel billets of appropriate size and...
after ERA / 900 mm vs RHARolled homogeneous armourRolled homogeneous armour is a type of steel which is used to armour vehicles.-Composition:Armoured steel must be hard yet impervious to shock in order to resist high velocity metal projectiles. Steel with these characteristics is produced by processing cast steel billets of appropriate size and...
after ERA for the 9М120М
Variants
- 9M120 Ataka-V "AT-9 Spiral-2" SACLOSSACLOSSACLOS is an acronym for Semi-Automatic Command to Line of Sight, a second-generation method of missile guidance. In SACLOS, the operator has to continually point a sighting device at the target while the missile is in flight...
radio command link guided missile. (actually laser guided)- 9M120 with tandem HEAT warhead.
- 9M120F with thermobaric warhead for use against buildings, bunkers and caves.
- 9A220O with expanding rodContinuous-rod warheadA continuous-rod warhead is a specialized munition that exhibits an annular blast fragmentation pattern. It is used in anti-aircraft and anti-missile missiles.-Early anti-aircraft munitions:...
warhead, for use against helicopters. - 9M120M improved version.