AT-9 Spiral-2

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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 designed to be compatible with the launch system of the AT-6 Spiral missile.

Contents

1 Development
2 History
3 Description
4 General characteristics (AT-9 Spiral-2) 9M120
5 Models
6 Users
7 External links
8 References

Development

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 system also has an anti-helicopter capability, provided from the proximity fused expanding rod warhead 9A2200 version.

The missile has often been confused in the west with the 9A1472 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 history and design and are in fierce competition.

History

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 ranger than the original version. It still appears to use the same command guidance system as the earlier missile. The missile has 3 warhead configurations:

9M120 : A tandem HEAT anti-tank warhead.
9M120F : A Thermobaric warhead for use against buildings, bunkers and caves
An expanding rod for use against helicopters.

General characteristics (AT-9 Spiral-2) 9M120

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: 1000 m - 6 km
Guidance: Radio command link SACLOS
Warhead: unknown (probably 5-8 kg) Tandem HEAT 800 mm vs RHA after ERA

Models

AT-9 Spiral-2 SACLOS radio command link guided missile.
* 9M120 with Tandem HEAT warhead.
* 9M120F with Thermobaric warhead.
* 9A2200 with expanding rod warhead, for use against helicopters.

Users

Russia

External links

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.

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