AT-5 Spandrel
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The AT-5 Spandrel is the NATO reporting name for the 9M113 Konkurs (Contest) SACLOS wire-guided Anti-tank missile of the Soviet Union.
Development
The AT-5 Spandrel was developed by the Tula Machinery Design Bureau (Tula KBP). Development began in 1962 with the aim of producing the next generation of SACLOS ATGM's, for use in both the man portable role and the tank destroyer role. The AT-5 was developed alongside the AT-4; both missiles use similar technology, only differing in size.There was some speculation that the missiles where based on the Euromissile HOT/MILAN - which employ similar concepts.
The missile entered service in 1974.
Iran began producing a copy the Towsan-1/M113 sometime around 2000.
Description
The missile is designed to be fired from vehicles, although it can also be fired from the later models of AT-4 Spigot launchers. It is an integral part of the BMP-2,BMD-2 and BRDM-2 vehicles. The missile is stored and carried in a glass reinforced plastic container/launch tube.The system uses a gas generator to push the missile out of the launch tube. The gas also exits from the rear of the launch tube in a similar manner to a Recoilless rifle. The missile leaves the launch tube at 80 m/s. It is quickly accelerated to 200 m/s by its solid fuel motor. This initial high speed reduces the deadzone of the missile, since it can be launched directly at the target, rather than in an upward arc. The missile spins in flight at between 5 and 7 revolutions per second.
The launcher tracks the position of an incandescent infrared bulb on the back of the missile relative to the target and transmits appropriate commands to the missile via a thin wire that trails behind the missile. The system has an alarm that activates when it detects jamming from a system like Shtora. The operator can then take manual control, reducing the missile to MCLOS. The SACLOS guidance system has many benefits over MCLOS. Accuracy of the system is quoted in some sources as 90%, though its performance is probably comparable to the TOW or later SACLOS versions of the Sagger.
General characteristics (AT-5A Spandrel)
- Length: 1150 mm / 875mm without gas generator
- Wingspan: 468 mm
- Diameter: 135 mm
- Launch weight: 14.6 kg
- Speed: 80 m/s at launch - 200 m/s in flight
- Range: 70 m - 4 km
- Time to maximum range: 20 seconds
- Guidance: wire-guided SACLOS
- Warhead: 2.7 kg 9N131 HEAT 600 mm vs RHA
Models
- AT-5 Spandrel wire-guided SACLOS
- * AT-5A Spandrel A 9M113 Konkurs
- * AT-5B Spandrel B 9M113M Konkurs-M Tandem warhead - with extended explosive probe.
Users
External links
- http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/at5spandrel.htm
- http://btvt.narod.ru/4/konkurs.htm in Russian
References
- Hull, A.W. , Markov, D.R. , Zaloga, S.J. (1999). Soviet/Russian Armor and Artillery Design Practices 1945 to Present. Darlington Productions. ISBN 1-892848-01-5.
- http://www.janes.com/aerospace/military/news/jdw/jdw000526_2_n.shtml Iranian copy.
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