Javelin, Cornet and Spike
FGM-148 or Chevlin is the first American serial portable complex (ATGN) of the 3 generation. It is designed to destroy protected objects (bunkers, long-term fire points), flying low-speed air targets (unmanned reconnaissance aircraft and helicopters), but primarily armored vehicles. This ATGM was developed in the United States from 1986, the concern Javelin Joint Venture, FGM-148 was created to replace the M47 Dragon, which was in service with the US Army from the 1975 of the year. Was adopted by the US Army in 1996 year. Widely used during the fighting in Iraq.
Initially it was planned to put in the ground forces and the US Marine Corps about 74 thousands of these ATGMs over 6 years. But in the future, delivery volumes were more than doubled, and the delivery period was extended to 11 years. It was assumed that "Cevlin" will be exported in quantities of 40 - 70 thousand units. However, the cost of one rocket turned out to be about 80 thousand US dollars, which is a third higher than the price declared by the manufacturer when adopting the army.
The missiles of the FGM-148 complex are created on the principle of "shot and forgot." To this end, they are equipped with infrared homing heads. The missiles are made according to the classic aerodynamic design - with wings spreading. They are capable of attacking targets along a gentle and hinged trajectory, which in combination with a powerful tandem cumulative warhead allows them to hit all modern Tanks. The “soft start” system allows starting from the premises.
Combat deployment of the complex includes the following operations:
- Connection launcher and transport and launch container with a rocket.
- Removing the end cover of the transport and launch container.
- the inclusion of the complex and the cooling of the homing head.
- Make a "seize the target" and choose the type of attack.
- Press the "start" key.
This complex has the following advantages:
- It is possible to direct the missile in bad weather conditions, high smoke and terrain at night. This is a huge advantage over similar 2-generation complexes, which are not equipped with a thermal sight.
- Missile guidance is performed without active target illumination, which does not unmask the launch site of the rocket and does not provoke the activation of a smoke screen on armored vehicles.
- As a rule, a rocket hits armored vehicles in the least protected upper part. Because of this, the residual cumulative jet has a high damaging power even after piercing armor.
- The missile is absolutely insensitive to the active protection means that exist today, which do not control the upper part of the armored vehicles.
- The rocket does not react to the means of opto-electronic suppression, since the guidance system does not perceive the modulated signal, since it is directed at the infrared source of the far side of the spectrum (engine, exhaust system).
And disadvantages:
- ATGM can hit targets only in the line of sight. And this casts doubt on its combat capability over a distance of more than 1 kilometers.
- It is extremely irrational to use the complex for shooting at a distance of up to a kilometer of 0.5, because at such distances much cheaper and lighter hand-held grenade launchers have proven themselves well. However, with the amendment that hand grenade launchers can effectively destroy only targets with light armor.
- The shooter can not affect the flight of the rocket after launch. And when the target has a temperature slightly different from the temperature of the details of the relief, for example, in a desert area, the rocket may lose the target.
- High price. The cost of the launch device is approximately 125 thousand dollars, and the rocket around 80 thousand dollars.
- Before launching the rocket, it is necessary to cool the homing head, which, together with the time it takes to capture the target, is about 1 minutes.
- Specialists in weapons from different countries have noted the low efficiency of such systems, since a missile hit the turret of a tank, it is not ensured that it is 100% incapacitated.
"Cornet"
The anti-tank missile system 9K135 or Kornet (according to the NATO classification AT-14 Spriggan) is a development of the Tula Instrument Engineering Bureau. This is the 2 generation ATGM. It was created on the basis of the Reflex guided tank armament complex, and has basic solutions for its layout. It is intended for the destruction of tanks and other armored vehicles, including those with dynamic protection. There is a modification of "Cornet-D", which is capable of hitting air targets.
The Kornet-E ATGMs were seen fighting between the Israeli army and Hezbollah in the south of Libya in 2006.
Disadvantages of the complex:
- A significant weight of the launcher and missiles in TPK - about 50 kilograms.
- The ATGM is guided to the target by a laser beam, which unmasks the installation position.
- The installation calculation consists of two people.
Advantages:
- The relatively low cost of the rocket and launcher is about 30 thousand US dollars.
- It is possible to adjust the flight on the march.
- Confident defeat of targets at ranges up to 5.5 kilometers.
- High armor penetration - up to 1200 millimeters of homogeneous armor, which allows you to hit any of the currently existing tanks.
Spike
Anti-tank missile system 3 generation "Spike" - the development of the Israeli company "Rafael". It is intended for the destruction of tanks, fortifications and engineering structures, as well as any other purposes.
The thermal homing head of the rocket is located in the nose of the rocket, behind it is the electronics unit and the pre-cumulative charge, followed by the cruise engine. In the central part of the housing is a gyroscope and battery compartment. Behind the central compartment in which the folding wings of the rocket are located, there is a main shaped charge with cocking automation and fuse. Folding steering wheels and steering gears, starting motor and fiber-optic cable reel are located in the tail section of the hull.
A key feature of the Spike ATGM is the ability of fiber-optic data transmission to the launcher to the operator and the ability to control the flight of the rocket and the hijacking of the target by the homing head after launch. This greatly expands the range of its combat use.
Of the advantages of the complex should be noted:
- No need to cool the infrared homing head before starting.
- There are four modifications of the rocket with a different range.
- The ability to change the target after the launch of the rocket, taking into account the changing priorities in battle.
- The possibility of obtaining intelligence in real time and the possibility of identifying the target.
- According to manufacturers, an extremely high degree of accuracy of hitting - you can choose not only the goal, but also a specific point on it.
- The possibility of capturing a target after launching a rocket from a closed position.
- The ability to self-destruct rocket if necessary.
Disadvantages:
- The high price of both the launcher and the rocket is about 250 thousand US dollars.
- Extremely complex production technology, which does not allow for mass production of systems.
- Complexity of complex management. Special operator training is required.
Comparison table TTX ATGM FGM-148 "Javelin", 9K135 "Cornet", "Spike"
|
FGM-148 Javelin |
9K135 Cornet |
Spike |
Rocket caliber, mm |
127 |
152 |
170 |
Warhead |
tandem cumulative |
tandem cumulative |
tandem cumulative |
Armor penetration behind ERA, mm |
700 |
1000-1200 |
700 |
Missile guidance system |
homing with the help of IR GOS |
semi-automatic, by laser beam |
Electro-optical |
ATGM length, mm |
1081 |
1200 |
not specified |
Weight of guidance unit, kg |
6.36 |
11 |
not specified |
ATGM weight, kg |
11.80 |
26 |
33 |
Mass of ATGM in TPK, kg |
15.90 |
29 |
26 |
Warhead weight, kg |
8.44 |
7 |
3 |
Combat weight, kg |
37 |
50 |
26-33 |
Firing range, m |
50-2500 |
100-5500 |
200-2.500 |
Maximum speed ATGM, m / s |
290 |
not specified |
180 |
Information