AT-7 Saxhorn
Encyclopedia
The AT-7 Saxhorn is the NATO reporting name
for the 9K115 Metis ("mongrel") man-portable SACLOS
wire-guided anti-tank missile system of the Soviet Union
.
. It is very similar to the AT-4 Spigot
in external appearance - having 3 main fins - however the missile is much lighter - primarily because of the reduced fuel load. This reduced load cuts the maximum range to 1,000 m.
During the 1980s an upgraded version of the missile was developed - the Metis-M 9M131 (sometimes labelled Metis-2). Fired from the same launcher, the new missile is much larger and heavier, with an increased range and a larger warhead. NATO labelled this missile the AT-13 Saxhorn-2.
at company level. The system is lighter than the AT-4 Spigot
system, due to a less complicated launcher tripod and a lighter missile.
In Russian service the AT-7 is deployed with motor rifle companies, with three launchers per company. The missile is operated by two man teams, with the gunner carrying the 9P151 launching post and one missile, his assistant carries an additional 3 missiles.
The export prices of the missile and firing post in 1992 were:
system, despite both missiles being designed by the same design bureau. The 9S816 guidance system is powered by a thermal battery attached to the launch tube shortly before launch - the missile itself is remotely powered along the guidance wires.
The missile can be launched from an enclosed space such as a building or cave but requires at least 6 meters behind the launcher, and a total internal volume of at least 100 m³. The missile has a short minimum range of 40 meters, and can engage targets moving at up to 60 km/h.
The missiles warhead is a single HEAT
shaped charge.
NATO reporting name
NATO reporting names are classified code names for military equipment of the Eastern Bloc...
for the 9K115 Metis ("mongrel") man-portable 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...
wire-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....
.
Development
The missile was developed by the Tula KBPKBP Instrument Design Bureau
KBP Instrument Design Bureau is a Russian developer and manufacturer of high-precision weapons. It was established in 1927 in Tula, USSR. Arkady Shipunov has been the Designer General since 1962...
. It is very similar to the AT-4 Spigot
AT-4 Spigot
The 9K111 Fagot is a SACLOS wire-guided anti-tank missile system of the Soviet Union. "9M111" is the GRAU designation of the missile. Its NATO reporting name is AT-4 Spigot.-Development:...
in external appearance - having 3 main fins - however the missile is much lighter - primarily because of the reduced fuel load. This reduced load cuts the maximum range to 1,000 m.
During the 1980s an upgraded version of the missile was developed - the Metis-M 9M131 (sometimes labelled Metis-2). Fired from the same launcher, the new missile is much larger and heavier, with an increased range and a larger warhead. NATO labelled this missile the AT-13 Saxhorn-2.
History
The missile was introduced into the Russian army in 1979 to supplement the AT-4 SpigotAT-4 Spigot
The 9K111 Fagot is a SACLOS wire-guided anti-tank missile system of the Soviet Union. "9M111" is the GRAU designation of the missile. Its NATO reporting name is AT-4 Spigot.-Development:...
at company level. The system is lighter than the AT-4 Spigot
AT-4 Spigot
The 9K111 Fagot is a SACLOS wire-guided anti-tank missile system of the Soviet Union. "9M111" is the GRAU designation of the missile. Its NATO reporting name is AT-4 Spigot.-Development:...
system, due to a less complicated launcher tripod and a lighter missile.
In Russian service the AT-7 is deployed with motor rifle companies, with three launchers per company. The missile is operated by two man teams, with the gunner carrying the 9P151 launching post and one missile, his assistant carries an additional 3 missiles.
The export prices of the missile and firing post in 1992 were:
- 9M131 Missile $13,500
- 9P151 Firing post $70,000
Models
- AT-7 Saxhorn - Entered service in 1979.
- AT-13 Saxhorn-2 9M131 Metis-M - see AT-13 Metis-M
Description
The missile is fired from the 9P151 launching post - which has a simple tripod for support. It can also be fired from the shoulder - but this apparently requires more skill on the part of the operator. The launching post weighs 10.2 kg. The missile is launched from the tube by a booster rather than the gas generator used on the AT-4 SpigotAT-4 Spigot
The 9K111 Fagot is a SACLOS wire-guided anti-tank missile system of the Soviet Union. "9M111" is the GRAU designation of the missile. Its NATO reporting name is AT-4 Spigot.-Development:...
system, despite both missiles being designed by the same design bureau. The 9S816 guidance system is powered by a thermal battery attached to the launch tube shortly before launch - the missile itself is remotely powered along the guidance wires.
The missile can be launched from an enclosed space such as a building or cave but requires at least 6 meters behind the launcher, and a total internal volume of at least 100 m³. The missile has a short minimum range of 40 meters, and can engage targets moving at up to 60 km/h.
The missiles warhead is a single HEAT
Heat
In 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...
shaped charge.