Metis and Bassoon anti-tank guided missile systems. ATGM "Metis": the most powerful of the lightest
The 9K115 complex with a semi-automatic projectile control system is designed to destroy visible stationary and moving armored targets at various heading angles at speeds of up to 60 km/h at ranges from 40 to 1000 m. The 9K115 complex also allows effective shooting at firing points and other small targets.
The complex was developed at the Instrument Design Bureau (Tula) under the leadership of chief designer A.G. Shipunov and put into service in 1978.
In the west, the complex was designated a missile AT-7"Saxhorn".
The 9K115 "Metis" complex was exported to many countries around the world and was used in many local conflicts in recent decades.
Compound
The complex includes:
- 9M115 guided missile
- starting device 9P151 (left view, right view, view in a box)
- To carry out maintenance and routine repairs of the 9P151 starting device, 9V569 test equipment, as well as instruments and equipment of the 9V871-2 test machine, are used. To train operators of the 9K115 complex, the 9F640 simulator is used.
The 9M115 missile with a semi-automatic guidance system and a cumulative warhead is built using a canard aerodynamic design. The developers of the complex went to extreme simplification and lightening of the disposable element of the complex - the missile, allowing for some complication of the reusable ground-based guidance equipment. An important reserve for reducing the size, weight and cost of ATGMs was the simplification of the on-board equipment of the control system. As is known, ground-based equipment for semi-automatic guidance of ATGMs determines the position of the missile using tracking devices connected to the ground coordinate system. Previously created models of ATGMs with single-channel control were equipped with gyroscopes that ensure the conversion of control signals from ground-based guidance equipment into commands generated in relation to a coordinate system rotating with the missile. The gyroscope was a rather expensive product. The 9M115 missile is equipped with a tracer mounted on one of the wings. During flight, the tracer moves in a spiral. Ground equipment receives information about the angular position of the ATGM, which allows the commands issued to the missile controls via a wired communication line to be adjusted accordingly.
In the bow there are rudders with an open-type air-dynamic drive that uses free-stream air pressure. The absence of an air or powder pressure accumulator and the use of plastic casting for the manufacture of the main drive elements greatly reduces the cost of the drive compared to previously used products.
At the rear of the rocket there are three trapezoidal wings. The wings are made of thin, flexible plates. During assembly, they are rolled up around the body without any residual deformation; after the rocket exits the TPK, the wings straighten under the action of elastic forces. To launch a rocket, a starting engine with a multi-shot charge of solid fuel is used.
The missile is delivered and operated in a sealed transport and launch container.
Starting device 9P151 folding, it is a 9P152 machine, with a lifting and rotating mechanism on which control equipment is installed - a 9S816 guidance device and a hardware unit. The triggering device has a mechanism for precise targeting of the target, which reduces the requirements for operator qualifications.
Currently, for shooting at night and in smoky conditions, the complex can be equipped with a 1PN86VI "Mulat-115" ("Falcon" 2) thermal imaging sight, developed by NPO GIPO1, with a range of up to 1.5 km.
The complex, consisting of one launcher and four missiles, is carried in two packs by a crew of two people - the crew commander (the first number, also the senior operator) and the operator (the second number). Pack N1 weighing 17 kg with a launcher and one TPK with a missile, pack N2 - with three missiles in a TPK weighing 19.4 kg (see diagram).
Shooting can be carried out from prepared and unprepared positions from a prone position, from a trench, standing, as well as from a shoulder rest. It is possible to shoot from an infantry fighting vehicle or armored personnel carrier and from buildings (in the latter case, about 6 meters of free space in the back is required).
Performance characteristics
| Complex | |
| Firing range, m | 40 - 1 000 |
| Probability of hitting a tank | 0,91 - 0,98 |
| Number of missiles in the complex | 4 |
| Calculation, pers. | 2 |
| Transfer time of the 9K115 complex (maximum), s: - from traveling to combat position - from combat position on a camping trip |
12 20 |
| Time from the moment you press trigger until the moment of the shot (shot firing time), s, no more | 1,5 |
| 9M115 guided missile | |
| Effective firing range, m: - minimum - maximum |
40 1000 |
| Projectile flight time maximum range, sec. | 5,6 |
| average speed rocket flight, m/s | 180 |
| Maximum speed rocket flight, m/s | 223 |
| Projectile rotation speed around the longitudinal axis in flight, rpm | 7 - 12 |
| Projectile control | semi-automatic with wired communication line |
| Temperature range combat use 9M115 projectile, °C | ±50 |
| Dimensions of the 9M115 projectile, mm: | |
| - length | 784 |
| - width | 138 |
| - height | 145 |
| Projectile weight 9M115, kg | 6 |
| Container caliber, mm | 93 |
| Projectile length 9M116, mm | 733 |
| half-span of stabilizer console, mm | 187 |
| Projectile weight 9M116, kg | 4,8 |
| Warhead | cumulative |
| Dimensions of capping box 9Я55, mm | |
| - length | 925 |
| - width | 372 |
| - height | 427 |
| Weight of the 9Y55 capping box with four 9M115 shells, kg | 45 |
| Armor penetration, mm: - at an angle of 0° - at an angle of 60° |
500 - 550 250 |
| Starting device | |
| PU weight, kg | 10,0 |
| Weight of 9P151 starting device in 9YA54 box, kg | 28 |
| Weight of packs, kg: | |
| - pack No. 1 (PU with 9M115 projectile) | 16,5 |
| - pack No. 2 (three 9M115 shells) | 19 |
| Dimensions of the 9K115 complex (9P151 launcher with a 9M115 projectile installed on it): | |
| in firing position (for shooting from a tripod), m: - length - width - height |
0,865 0,4 0,525 |
| in stowed position, m: - length - width - height |
0,810 0,225 0,360 |
| The 9P151 launcher provides fire, hail: - along the horizon with reorientation of the launcher - vertically with changing the angle of rotation of the front leg of the PU |
in a circular sector from - 15 to +15 |
| PU rotation angles by guidance mechanisms, degrees: - along the horizon - vertically |
±30 ±5 |
| Technical rate of fire of the 9K115 complex when firing at one target at maximum range, rds/min | 4-5 |
| Guidance device 9С816 | |
| Magnification, times | 6 |
| Field of view of the sighting channel, deg | 6 |
| Field of view of a narrow-field direction-finding channel, min | 40 |
Portable anti-tank missile system 9K115-2 "Metis-M" is designed to defeat modern and promising armored vehicles, equipped with dynamic protection, fortifications, enemy manpower, at any time of the day, in difficult weather conditions.
Created on the basis of the Metis ATGM. The modernization concept consisted of maximum continuity in ground-based assets and ensuring the possibility of using both the standard Metis 9M115 missile and the new modernized 9M131 missile in the complex. Taking into account the prospects for increasing the security of tanks, the designers decisively increased the size of the warhead, moving from a 93mm caliber to a 130mm caliber. A significant improvement in tactical and technical characteristics was achieved due to an increase in the weight and dimensions of the ATGM.
The Metis-M complex was developed at the Instrument Design Bureau (Tula) and put into service in 1992.
Designed to replace the previously created second generation complexes "Metis", "Fagot", "Konkurs".
In the west, the complex was designated AT-13 "Saxhorn".
Used during the military conflict in Syria in 2012.
A modernized version of the complex was developed for the Russian army, designated Metis-M1. The complex (see) has been modernized in order to increase the firing range, increase the power of the warhead and reduce the mass of the launcher, while maintaining all the positive properties of the Metis-M complex.
By Government Order Russian Federation dated November 9, 2015, as well as by the Order of the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation dated March 2, 2016, the Metis-M1 anti-tank missile system was adopted by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.
Compound
The complex includes:
launcher 9P151 with a sight - a guidance device, guidance drives and a missile launch mechanism (see photo);
thermal imaging sight 1PN86BVI "Mulat-115";
9M131 missiles placed in transport and launch containers.
control and testing equipment 9V12M and 9V81M;
The wings of the 9M131 rocket are made of thin sheets of steel and open after launch under the influence of their own elastic forces. Just like in the 9M115 Metis missile, the technical solutions adopted, in particular the placement of the tracer at the tip of one of the three wing consoles, made it possible to abandon the use of gyro devices, on-board batteries and electronic units. During the flight of the missile, the tracer moves in a spiral, ground equipment receives information about the angular position of the ATGM and corrects the commands issued via a wired communication line to the missile's controls.
The new powerful tandem cumulative warhead of the ATGM complex is capable of hitting all modern and future enemy tanks, including those equipped with mounted and built-in dynamic protection, lightly armored vehicles, and fortifications. Moreover high level the pressure that arises when breaking through both axial and radial directions leads to crushing of concrete in the area of passage of the cumulative jet, breaking out of the rear layer of the barrier and, as a consequence, a high barrier action. This ensures the defeat of manpower located behind objects made of concrete monoliths or in structures made of prefabricated reinforced concrete with a wall thickness of up to 3 meters.
In order to expand the range of combat use of the Metis-M complex, 9M131F guided missiles are equipped with a thermobaric warhead weighing 4.95 kg with a high-explosive effect at the level of large-caliber artillery shell, especially effective when firing at engineering and fortification structures. During an explosion, such a warhead is formed that is more extended in time and space than that of traditional explosives, shock wave. Such a wave spreads in all directions, flows behind obstacles, into trenches, through embrasures, etc., striking manpower, even those protected by shelter. In the zone of detonation transformations of the thermobaric mixture, complete combustion of oxygen occurs and temperatures above 800°C develop.
The launcher placed on a tripod can be equipped with a 1PN86-VI "Mulat-115" thermal imaging sight weighing 5.5 kg, which provides detection of targets at a distance of up to 3.2 km and their identification at a distance of 1.6 km, which ensured the launch of missiles at night at maximum range. The dimensions of the thermal imager are 387*203*90mm. Field of view 2.4°*4.6°. Battery life is 2 hours. Temperature range of application from -40°С to +50°С. In order to increase efficiency, the sight uses a balloon cooling system, which ensures reaching the operating mode in 8-10 seconds.
The rocket is launched using a starting engine, after which the sustainer solid propellant rocket engine is launched. 
The crew of the complex consists of two people, one of whom carries a pack N1 weighing 25.1 kg with a launcher and one container with a missile (see photo), and the other pack N2 with two containers with a missile weighing 28 kg (instead of three for the Metis ATGM) ). When replacing the TPK with a missile with a thermal imager, the weight of the pack is reduced to 18.5 kg. The deployment of the complex into a combat position is carried out in 10-20 seconds, the combat rate of fire reaches 3 rounds per minute.
Along with its main purpose - use as a portable complex, "Metis-M" can also be used to arm BMD and infantry fighting vehicles.
Shooting can be carried out from prepared and unprepared positions from a prone position, from a standing trench, and also from the shoulder. It is also possible to fire from buildings (in the latter case, about 2 meters of free space behind the launcher is required).
The Metis-M1 ATGM includes:
- starting device 9P151M;
- missiles 9M131M, 9M131FM (with thermobaric warhead);
- control and testing equipment 9V569M;
- charger ZU-16-1.
In the 90s of the 20th century, the Instrument Design Bureau developed the Metis-M man-portable ATGM, which ensures the fulfillment of these requirements and has an optimal combination of characteristics in its class. The Metis-M ATGM is a multi-purpose defensive and assault weapon that allows you to effectively hit modern tanks, fortifications and other small targets at ranges up to 1500 m, reliable, simple and easy to use. The high tactical and technical characteristics of the Metis-M ATGM have been confirmed by many years of military operation both in the Russian army and in many armies of foreign countries.
However, further modernization of armored vehicles, aimed at increasing their protection (increasing the thickness of the armor, equipping them with dynamic protection), as well as increasing the aimed firing range of tank guns, poses the task of ATGM developers to improve their characteristics to increase the firing range and increase the power of combat units. At present and in the near future, the main characteristics of wearable ATGMs should be considered to be firing range - at least 2000 m, armor penetration - at least 900-950 mm (taking into account the reserve space for destruction of the armored space).
In order to improve the main characteristics of the Metis-M complex, KBP JSC carried out its modernization in the following areas:
- the maximum firing range day and night has been increased from 1500 m to 2000 m by improving the aerodynamic characteristics of the rocket airframe and implementing new algorithms in the control system;
- armor penetration, including behind the DZ, has been increased from 850 mm to 900-950 mm due to the use of high-energy explosives, while simultaneously introducing technology for precision manufacturing of warhead elements;
- the weight of the starting device (PU) was reduced from 10.5 kg to 9.5 kg due to the use of microprocessor-based elements in the equipment.
The modernization was carried out taking into account the need to ensure the ability to fire both previously fired missiles from modernized launchers, and modernized missiles from previously released launchers. The Metis-M1 ATGM, in terms of the totality of combat and operational characteristics, is significantly ahead of the Metis-M ATGM and its closest foreign analogues.
The Metis-M1 ATGM is designed to enhance the combat power of company-level units, which, as a rule, are armed with only firearms and grenade launchers, which are ineffective against tanks due to low accuracy and short ranges of aimed fire. The complex is portable and in this sense is closest to a soldier. The small dimensions and weight of the complex’s components make it possible to form compact packs, allowing it to be transported by a crew of three people. In addition to personal weapons, the crew carries ammunition of five missiles. The crew commander carries a ready-made shot in his pack (a launcher with a missile mounted on it), which significantly reduces the preparation time for combat work and allows the crew to enter fighting directly from the march.
In the defense zone, an infantry battalion equipped with 80-90 ATGM ammunition hits up to 90% of the armored targets of an advancing enemy battalion, reinforced tank company and having up to 60 units of armored vehicles. When a battalion conducts an offensive, for example, against the position of a motorized infantry company reinforced by a tank platoon (13 armored targets), the Metis-M1 ATGM is capable of not only hitting all armored targets, but also significantly helping the infantry in the fight against enemy firing points, since in terms of range firing of its missiles significantly exceeds the mass weapon enemy: machine guns and RPGs. With a direct attack of the 9M131M ATGM into the frontal projection of the target, due to the powerful tandem cumulative warhead with an average armor penetration of 950 mm, a high level of penetration of the frontal armor of all tanks currently in service can be achieved.
Currently, the armies of various countries around the world have several tens of thousands of tanks of various modifications, the main differences of which are the level of protection, the composition and thickness of the armor, weight, the composition of the fire control system, etc. Based on the total achieved level of the mentioned characteristics, tanks can be divided into three groups. The results of calculations of the probability of destruction of three groups of tanks, carried out taking into account random values of the coordinates of a 9M131M ATGM hit, the probabilistic nature of penetration of armor and destruction of vital units of a combat vehicle and the crew behind the armor, show that the probability of hitting tanks with dynamic protection of a 9M131M ATGM on average according to the angle of fire in the ±90° sector is: tanks of the 1st group 0.88, 2nd 0.72 and 3rd 0.70. It follows that the 9M131 M ATGM provides a level of probability of hitting the most protected tanks of 0.7-0.9, i.e. it takes one or two missiles to defeat them.
The results of firing tests showed that the 9M131M and 9M131FM guided missiles of the Metis-M1 complex developed by JSC Instrument Design Bureau provide a high level of lethality against targets of various sizes, degrees of vulnerability and mobility. The Metis-M1 complex is characterized by positive side short flight time of the 9M131M ATGM and 9M131FM UR and high secrecy of combat work, which leave virtually no chance for potential targets to cause optical interference and prevent them from carrying out combat mission. Small dimensions and weight allow infantrymen to constantly carry the Metis-M1 ATGM and autonomously conduct combat operations with the efficiency of units equipped with large-caliber artillery. Essentially, the Metis-M1 ATGM solves the problems of artillery, but with much greater efficiency and efficiency and is nothing more than a high-precision “pocket artillery” of the platoon commander.
On the basis of the Metis-M1 complex, fire support units (three or more launchers) can be created to solve the problem of suppressing the most dangerous targets. They can be part of infantry, mountain rifle and airmobile divisions, separate infantry, separate mountain rifle and separate armored brigades, as well as a separate paratrooper brigade of light armed infantry, a separate amphibious brigade and a regiment of troops special purpose. ATGM "Metis-M1" is a highly effective, lightweight, portable defensive-assault weapon, capable of fighting modern and advanced tanks and other armored targets, fortifications such as bunkers, bunkers, field structures and manpower located in them, in daylight and night conditions at ranges from 80 m to 2000 m.
The optimal combination of small weight and size and high tactical, technical and operational characteristics makes it possible to equip the Metis-M1 complex landing troops, infantry and motorized rifle formations to strengthen their combat power during large-scale combat operations, as well as special units during counter-terrorism operations. During modernization, maximum unification between components ATGM "Metis-M" and "Metis-M1", which will allow, in a short time and at relatively low financial costs, to increase the tactical and technical characteristics of the ATGM "Metis-M", previously delivered to foreign customers. In this case, modernization can be carried out directly at the foreign customer. Re-training of specialists (gunners and technicians) to operate the modernized systems is not required.
Performance characteristics ATGM "Metis-M1":
Firing range day and night, m:
- maximum - 2000
- minimum - 80
Rate of fire, rds/min 3-4
Control system - semi-automatic with command transmission via wires
Overall dimensions, mm:
- rocket caliber 130
- length of container with rocket 980
Warhead - tandem cumulative, thermobaric high-explosive action
Average armor penetration cumulative warhead, mm 950
TNT equivalent of high-explosive warhead, kg 6
Firing of missiles with previously developed missiles of the Metis family is ensured
Weight, kg;
- starting device - no more than 9.5
- container with a rocket - 13.8
- thermal imaging sight - 6.5
Weight of packs, kg:
- launcher with rocket - 23.8
- two containers with missiles - 28.6
Pointing angles, degrees:
- horizontal ±30
- vertical ±5
Temperature range of application, degrees C 50
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Firing range - 40-1000 m, maximum flight speed - 223 m/s, flight time to maximum range - 6 s, length 730 mm, wingspan 370 mm, body diameter - 93 mm, transport and launch container dimensions - 784 x 138 x 145 mm, missile weight - 4.8 kg, in TPK - 6.3 kg, armor penetration - 250-550 mm. In the diagram: 1 – rudders; 2 – steering gear; 3 – cumulative warhead; 4 – fuse; 5 – main engine; 6 – wings; 7 – tracer; 8 – starting motor; 9 – reel with cable |
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Launcher weight – 10 kg, dimensions in combat position – 0.815 x 0.4 x 0.72 m, in stowed position – 0.76 x 0.225 x x 0.275 m, pointing angles: horizontal ±30°. vertical ±5° |
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Firing range – 80-1500 m, missile weight – 13.8 kg, average flight speed – 200 m/s, missile diameter – 130 mm, TPK length – 980 mm, armor penetration – 900 mm. In the diagram: 1 – precharge of a tandem warhead; 2 – steering gear; 3 – rudders; 4 – main engine; 5 – main charge of tandem warhead; 6 – fuse; 7 – wing; 8 – tracer; 9 – starting motor; 10 – reel with cable |
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The domestic man-portable anti-tank missile system "Metis" has become the simplest and cheapest ATGM of the "2+" generation
...This is the subject of constant debate both among scientists and among technology enthusiasts: how, by what criteria, to distinguish between generations, to which one to classify this or that sample? And in relation to our topic: should the currently produced domestic anti-tank missiles be considered products of the second or third generation? This dispute is not as pointless as it may seem, the price for it is a lot of money and, perhaps, a lot of blood...
So, the short-range ATGM "Fagot" () went into production, the time had come to think about its successor, because neither scientific and technological development nor the potential enemy were going to stop. While maintaining the basics - hitting the tank in a frontal view, automatically generating control commands in the control panel and transmitting them to the missile via wire - what can and should be improved? First of all, they continued to simplify (and therefore reduce the cost) of the rocket.
ATGMs clearly demonstrated their effectiveness, and tankers began to fight them. In this version of the “confrontation between sword and shield,” it was necessary (and succeeded) to significantly increase the power of the rocket a little later. Increasing its speed is very difficult and this transfers the projectile to another class (no longer wearable, but transportable). There is only one thing left to do: launch so many missiles that the enemy does not have enough means to combat them! But to do this, the cost of each rocket needs to be reduced... At what expense?
It would be better, on the contrary, to increase the warhead. It is not possible to make the engine much cheaper. But the guided missile also has a control system, and in particular, a gyroscope included in it. It is needed at least so that in an extremely simplified single-channel control method, which has already become standard for ATGMs, it is possible to determine at what moment which command (“right-left” or “up-down”) to issue. Is this necessary?
No, they decided at the Tula KBP. After all, the rocket still rotates at a speed of 7–12 rps, its flight is still tracked by guidance equipment (which is used many times and can be more expensive). So let the same equipment also monitor the angle of rotation of the rocket along its axis!
The 9M115 guided missile is simplified to the extreme: the most complex device in it is the fuse, which you still cannot do without. But there is no gyroscope: the rocket itself rotates, and a tracer is attached to the end of one of the wings. In flight, it leaves a spiral trail, along which the automation (combined with the launcher - PU) determines the orientation of the rocket axes in this moment and issues a command to maneuver.
It is transmitted via wires to a single-channel steering engine installed in the nose of the rocket. There are no energy sources for it: like previous Tula products, the incoming air flow is used for this purpose. The designers tinkered with the steering gear parts, which are now cast from plastic - you simply can’t think of anything cheaper for mass production!
The 9K115 "Metis" anti-tank guided missile system, consisting of a 9M115 missile in a transport and launch container, a 9P152 machine gun and a 9S116 guidance device (as well as a testing device and spare parts) was put into service Soviet army in 1978.
The launcher and four missiles (of course, in transport and launch containers) of the Metis are carried by a crew of two people, one carries a 17-kg pack No. 1 with a launcher and one missile, the other carries a 19.4 kg pack No. 2 with three missiles . Later, a 5.5-kg thermal imaging sight 1PN86VI “Mulat-115” was added to the kit, allowing detection of targets at a distance of 3200 m and identification at 1600 m. However, “Metis” did not remain in this form for long...
Soon it was necessary to increase - and very much - the armor penetration of anti-tank missiles: the potential enemy began to equip tanks with dynamic protection. There is only one known way to combat it - a tandem warhead consisting of two shaped charges. The first of them triggers the protective charge (or detonates it), and the second then hits the “bare” armor. In addition, this means that the parameters of cumulative warheads and the distance between them must be linked to each other, which significantly affects the size and design of the ammunition.
Unlike the Konkurs ATGM (), there was no way to add another head to the same missile in Metis. They decided to do it on the same principles (tracking orientation using a tracer, steering gear from incoming air...), with the same guidance equipment, but new, for the required masses and dimensions of the warhead. The result was the 9M131 rocket.
The caliber has increased one and a half times, the weight has doubled. It was possible to increase the maximum firing range by one and a half times, but most importantly, armor penetration increased from 500 to 900 mm!
The 9M131 layout was later used in several more KBP products. A forward cumulative warhead is located in front (this is called “precharge”). Behind it is a pneumatic steering engine, then a toroidal solid fuel propulsion engine. Moreover, this is not the form of a fuel charge, but of an engine housing! And the axial opening of large diameter serves to pass the cumulative jet of the main warhead, located immediately behind the engine.
This scheme causes some criticism, but it made it possible to create a compact and cheap missile of enormous destructive power - an ATGM penetrates 3-m thick concrete! By the way, this is important: since the control system allows you to hit not only armored vehicles, but also other targets - as long as the operator can see it - Metis-M is widely used for shooting at fortifications. For this purpose, they even made a special modification of the rocket - 9M131F with a 4.95 kg thermobaric (“volumetric explosion”) warhead.
The 9K115-2 "Metis-M" complex was put into service Russian army in 1992. It is also portable, but heavier: pack No. 1 with a launcher and one missile weighs 25.1 kg, and No. 2 (with two missiles) weighs 28 kg.
...Can “Metis” and “Metis-M” be classified as the third generation of ATGMs? Hardly. After all, the operator must still see the target when firing, the automatic control combined with the launcher must track the missile in flight, and commands are given via wires...
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The 9K115 Metis man-portable anti-tank missile system is designed to destroy visually visible targets, stationary and moving at speeds of up to 60 km/h (tanks and other small armored targets) at ranges of up to 1000 m.
The complex was developed at the Instrument Design Bureau (Tula) under the leadership of chief designer A.G. Shipunov and put into service in 1978.
In the west, the complex was designated the AT-7 “Saxhorn” missile.
The 9K115 Metis complex was exported to many countries around the world and was used in many local conflicts in recent decades.
The complex includes: a 9P151 portable launcher with control equipment and a launch mechanism on the machine, 9M115 missiles in transport and launch containers, spare parts, testing equipment and other auxiliary equipment.
The 9M115 missile with a semi-automatic guidance system and a cumulative warhead is built using a canard aerodynamic configuration. The developers of the complex went to the extreme simplification and lightening of the disposable element of the complex - the missile, allowing some complication of the reusable ground-based guidance equipment. An important reserve for reducing the size, weight and cost of ATGMs was the simplification of the on-board equipment of the control system. As is known, ground-based equipment for semi-automatic guidance of ATGMs determines the position of the missile using tracking devices connected to the ground coordinate system. Previously created models of ATGMs with single-channel control were equipped with gyroscopes that ensure the conversion of control signals from ground-based guidance equipment into commands generated in relation to a coordinate system rotating with the missile. The gyroscope was a rather expensive product. The 9M115 missile is equipped with a tracer mounted on one of the wings. During flight, the tracer moves in a spiral. Ground equipment receives information about the angular position of the ATGM, which allows the commands issued to the missile controls via a wired communication line to be adjusted accordingly.
In the bow there are rudders with an open-type air-dynamic drive that uses free-stream air pressure. The absence of an air or powder pressure accumulator and the use of plastic casting for the manufacture of the main drive elements greatly reduces the cost of the drive compared to previously used products.
At the rear of the rocket there are three trapezoidal wings. The wings are made of thin, flexible plates. During assembly, they are rolled up around the body without any residual deformation; after the rocket exits the TPK, the wings straighten under the action of elastic forces. To launch a rocket, a starting engine with a multi-shot charge of solid fuel is used.
The missile is delivered and operated in a sealed transport and launch container.
The 9P151 launcher is foldable, it is a 9P152 machine, with a lifting and rotating mechanism on which control equipment is installed - a 9S816 guidance device and a hardware unit. The launcher has a mechanism for precise targeting of the target, which reduces the requirements for operator qualifications.
Currently, for shooting at night and in smoky conditions, the complex can be equipped with a 1PN86VI “Mulat-115” (“Falcon”2) thermal imaging sight, developed by NPO GIPO1, with a range of up to 1.5 km.
The complex, consisting of one launcher and four missiles, is carried in two packs by a crew of two people. Pack No. 1 weighing 17 kg with a launcher and one TPK with a missile, pack No. 2 - with three missiles in a TPK weighing 19.4 kg.
Shooting can be carried out from prepared and unprepared positions from a prone position, from a standing trench, and also from the shoulder. It is possible to shoot from an infantry fighting vehicle or armored personnel carrier and from buildings (in the latter case, about 6 meters of free space in the back is required).
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