ATGM - a weapon to destroy tanks. ATGM "Kornet": specifications

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

An anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) is a weapon designed primarily to combat enemy armored vehicles. It can also be used to destroy fortified points, shoot at low-flying targets and for other tasks.

General information

Guided missiles are the most important part of the anti-tank missile system (ATGM), which also includes an ATGM launcher and guidance systems. The so-called solid fuel is used as an energy source, and the warhead (warhead) is most often equipped with a cumulative charge.

As modern tanks began to be equipped with composite armor and active dynamic protection systems, new anti-tank missiles are also evolving. The single cumulative warhead was replaced by tandem ammunition. As a rule, these are two shaped charges located one after another. When they explode, two cumulative jets are formed in succession, which have more effective armor penetration. If a single charge “pierces” up to 600 mm of homogeneous armor, then tandem ones - 1200 mm or more. At the same time, elements of dynamic protection"extinguish" only the first jet, and the second does not lose its destructive ability.

Also, ATGMs can be equipped with a thermobaric warhead that creates the effect of a volumetric explosion. When triggered, aerosol explosives are sprayed in the form of a cloud, which then detonate, covering a large area with a zone of fire.

These types of ammunition include ATGM "Kornet" (RF), "Milan" (France-Germany), "Javelin" (USA), "Spike" (Israel) and others.

Prerequisites for Creation

Despite the widespread use of hand-held anti-tank grenade launchers (RPGs) in World War II, they could not fully provide anti-tank infantry defense. It turned out to be impossible to increase the firing range of RPGs, because due to the relatively slow speed of ammunition of this type, their range and accuracy did not meet the requirements for effectiveness in combating armored vehicles at a distance of more than 500 meters. The infantry units required an effective anti-tank weapon capable of hitting tanks at long distances. To solve the problem of accurate long-range shooting, an ATGM was created - an anti-tank guided missile.

History of Creation

The first research on the development of high-precision missile munitions began in the 40s of the twentieth century. The Germans achieved a real breakthrough in the development of the latest types of weapons by creating in 1943 the world's first ATGM X-7 Rotkaeppchen (translated as "Little Red Riding Hood"). The history of ATGM anti-tank weapons begins with this model.

SBMW approached the Wehrmacht command with a proposal to create a Rotkaeppchen in 1941, but the favorable situation for Germany on the fronts was the reason for the refusal. However, already in 1943, the creation of such a rocket still had to be started. The work was led by Dr. M. Kramer, who developed a series of aircraft missiles under the general designation "X" for the German Aviation Ministry.

Characteristics of X-7 Rotkaeppchen

In fact, the X-7 anti-tank missile can be considered as a continuation of the X series, because the main design solutions of this type of missiles were widely used in it. The case had a length of 790 mm, a diameter of 140 mm. The tail unit of the rocket was a stabilizer and two keels mounted on an arcuate rod to exit the control planes from the zone of hot gases of a solid propellant (powder) engine. Both keels were made in the form of washers with deflected plates (trim tabs), which were used as elevators or rudders for ATGMs.

The weapon was revolutionary for its time. To ensure the stability of the rocket in flight, it rotated along its longitudinal axis at a speed of two revolutions per second. With the help of a special delay unit, control signals were applied to the control plane (trim) only when they were in the desired position. In the tail section there was a power plant in the form of a WASAG dual-mode engine. Cumulative warhead overcame 200 mm armor.

The control system included a stabilization unit, a switch, steering wheel drives, command andreceiving units, as well as two cable reels. The control system worked according to the method that today is referred to as the "three-point method".

first generation ATGM

After the war, the victorious countries used the developments of the Germans for their own production of ATGMs. Weapons of this type were recognized as very promising for combating armored vehicles on the front lines, and since the mid-50s, the first models have replenished the arsenals of countries around the world.

The first generation anti-tank systems successfully proved themselves in military conflicts of the 50-70s. Since there is no documentary evidence of the use of the German "Little Red Riding Hood" in combat (although about 300 of them were fired), the first guided missile used in real combat (Egypt, 1956) was the French model Nord SS.10. In the same place, during the Six-Day War of 1967 between the Arab countries and Israel, the Soviet Malyutka ATGMs supplied by the USSR to the Egyptian army proved their effectiveness.

Using ATGMs: attack

First generation weapons require careful shooter training. When aiming a warhead and subsequent remote control, the same three-point principle is used:

• Vizier's cross hair;
• rocket on trajectory;
• hit target.

Having fired, the operator through the optical sight must simultaneously monitor the aiming mark, the projectile tracer and the moving target, and manually issue control commands. They are transmitted aboard the rocket along the wires that follow it. Their use is limitedfor ATGM speed: 150-200 m/s.

If the wire breaks with shrapnel in the heat of battle, the projectile becomes uncontrollable. The low flight speed allowed armored vehicles to perform evasive maneuvers (if the distance allowed), and the crew, forced to control the trajectory of the warhead, was vulnerable. However, the probability of hitting is very high - 60-70%.

Second generation: ATGM launch

Real weapons differ from the first generation by semi-automatic guidance of the missile at the target. That is, an intermediate task has been removed from the operator - to monitor the trajectory of the projectile. His job is to keep the aiming mark on the target, and the "smart equipment" built into the missile itself sends corrective commands. The system operates on the principle of two points.

Also, in some second-generation ATGMs, a new guidance system was used - the transmission of commands via a laser beam. This significantly increases the launch range and allows the use of missiles with a higher flight speed.

The second generation ATGM is controlled in various ways:

• by wire (Milan, ERYX);
• via a secure radio link with duplicate frequencies ("Chrysanthemum");
• on a laser beam ("Cornet", TRIGAT, "Dehlavia").

Point-to-point mode increased hit probability to 95%, but wired systems retained a warhead speed limit.

Third generation

A number of countries have switched to the production of third-generation ATGMs,the main principle of which is the motto "fire and forget". It is enough for the operator to aim and launch the ammunition, and the “smart” missile with a thermal imaging homing head operating in the infrared range will itself point to the selected object. Such a system significantly increases the maneuverability and survivability of the crew, and, consequently, affects the effectiveness of the battle.

In fact, these complexes are produced and sold only by the United States and Israel. The American Javelin (FGM-148 Javelin), Predator, Israeli Spike are the most advanced man-portable ATGMs. Information about weapons indicates that most tank models are defenseless in front of them. These systems not only aim at armored vehicles on their own, but also hit them in the most vulnerable part - the upper hemisphere.

Advantages and disadvantages

The principle of "shot and forget" increases the speed of fire and, accordingly, the mobility of the calculation. The performance of the weapon is also improved. The probability of hitting a third-generation ATGM target is theoretically 90%. In practice, it is possible for the enemy to use optical-electronic suppression systems, which reduces the effectiveness of the missile's homing head. In addition, a significant increase in the cost of onboard guidance equipment and equipping the missile with an infrared homing head led to the high cost of a shot. Therefore, at present, only a few countries have adopted third-generation ATGMs.

Russian flagship

On the world arms market, Russiapresents ATGM "Kornet". Thanks to laser control, it is referred to the “2+” generation (there are no third-generation systems in the Russian Federation). The complex has worthy characteristics regarding the ratio "price / efficiency". If the use of expensive Javelins requires serious justification, then the Kornets, as they say, are not a pity - they can be used more often in any battle modes. Its firing range is quite high: 5.5-10 km. The system can be used in a portable mode, as well as installed on equipment.

There are several modifications:

• ATGM "Kornet-D" - an improved system with a range of 10 km and armor penetration behind dynamic protection of 1300 mm.
• Kornet-EM is the latest deep modernization capable of shooting down air targets, primarily helicopters and drones.
• Kornet-T and Kornet-T1 are self-propelled launchers.
• "Kornet-E" - export version (ATGM "Kornet E").

The weapons of Tula specialists, although highly rated, are still criticized for their lack of effectiveness against the composite and dynamic armor of modern NATO tanks.

Characteristics of modern ATGMs

The main task of the latest guided missiles is to hit any tank, regardless of the type of armor. In recent years, there has been a mini-arms race, when tank builders and ATGM creators compete. Weapons become more destructive and armor more durable.

Subject toThe large-scale use of combined protection in combination with dynamic modern anti-tank missiles are also equipped with additional devices that increase the likelihood of hitting targets. For example, head missiles are equipped with special tips that ensure that the cumulative ammunition is detonated at the optimal distance, which ensures the formation of an ideal cumulative jet.

Typical was the use of missiles with tandem warheads to penetrate the armor of tanks with dynamic and combined protection. Also, to expand the scope of ATGMs, missiles with thermobaric warheads are being manufactured for them. The 3rd generation anti-tank systems use warheads that rise to a great height when approaching the target and attack it, diving into the roof of the tower and the hull, where there is less armor protection.

For the use of ATGMs in enclosed spaces, soft launch systems (Eryx) are used - missiles are equipped with starting engines that eject it at low speed. After moving away from the operator (launcher module) at a certain distance, the main engine is turned on, which accelerates the projectile.

Conclusion

Anti-tank systems are effective systems for combating armored vehicles. They can be carried manually, installed both on armored personnel carriers and aircraft, and on civilian vehicles. The 2nd generation ATGMs are being replaced by more advanced homing missiles filled with artificial intelligence.