ATGM "Kornet" confirms calculated characteristics
Launch of 9M133 missile at enemy target
In service with the Russian armies consists of the 9K135 Kornet anti-tank missile system. Such ATGMs in various designs and with different types of missiles are widely used during the Special Operation to protect Donbass. During their use, they have demonstrated their effectiveness and a wide range of combat capabilities, and also confirmed the declared tactical and technical characteristics.
Technical potential
The 9K135 Kornet was created by the Tula Instrument-making Design Bureau and is one of the latest domestic developments of its class. The development of the original design continues, and the industry regularly introduces new versions of missiles and launchers for them.
Initially, Kornet was developed as a portable ATGM for infantry. In this form, the system included a 9P163M-1 launcher on a tripod and transport and launch containers with 9M133 missiles. The total weight of the system in combat position is 55 kg.
Later, various options for placing the ATGM on self-propelled chassis were proposed. The simplest projects involved mounting a standard launcher on a suitable vehicle. The Kornet-D launcher was also developed with four transport and launch containers and a block of observation and control equipment. It is also compatible with various carriers.
The 9M133 missiles of all modifications have a similar design. They are made in a torpedo-shaped body 1,2 m long and 152 mm in diameter. The head of the missile has rudders that can be unfolded in flight, and the tail has stabilizers of a similar design. The maximum span of the planes is 460 mm. The mass of the missile, depending on the modification, reaches 26-29 kg.
"Kornet" and its combat crew. To increase mobility, the complex is mounted on a truck
All 9M133 variants are equipped with a solid-fuel engine located in the center of the hull. The nozzles are located on the sides of the hull. The engine provides supersonic flight speed. The first missiles of the family had a range of up to 5 km, and in later models this parameter increased to 8-10 km. It can be launched at both ground and air targets.
"Kornet" is equipped with a laser-beam control system. The launcher in semi-automatic mode tracks the target and directs a laser beam at it. The missile tracks its position relative to the beam and automatically flies along it.
The original 9M133 missile carried a tandem cumulative warhead. It was declared capable of penetrating up to 1000 mm of homogeneous armor behind dynamic protection. The 9M113F was equipped with a high-explosive warhead weighing about 7 kg. Later, new warheads for various purposes were developed, including a reinforced high-explosive and volume-detonating one. The latter is comparable in power to a 152-mm artillery shell.
Record range
Depending on the type of missile used, Kornet is capable of hitting targets at a distance of up to 5-10 km. Operators constantly use these capabilities of the complex. In addition, new range records are regularly reported.
For example, in early January, the Ministry of Defense reported setting a range record for both the 9K135 system and all domestic ATGMs. One of the combat crews operating in the Artemovsk area hit a target from a distance of 7,8 km.
Combat duty on the shore of a reservoir
The record-breaking operator with the call sign "Zeus" told the details of this attack. He received intelligence about the presence of a pair of enemy infantry fighting vehicles in the area, which were located at a distance of about 10 km from his position. The operator detected them in time and waited until they approached the missile launch range. Despite the great distance, the missile from the 9M133 family hit the armored vehicle and destroyed it.
This record lasted for several months and was broken at the end of August by an ATGM crew from the Airborne Forces. The paratroopers discovered an electronic warfare station on the right bank of the Dnieper estuary (Mykolaiv region), which was interfering with our drones.
To destroy this target, it was decided to use the Kornet complex, which was located at a distance of 8,15 km from it. The ATGM operator launched it, guided the missile over the water and successfully destroyed the building with the electronic warfare station.
It is quite possible that this record will be broken in the future. The latest modifications of the Kornet missile have a range of up to 10 km, and there is still a reserve of characteristics for new achievements. How, when and under what circumstances a new record will be set will be known later.
Armor-piercing argument
The 9M133 missiles in several modifications are equipped with a tandem cumulative warhead, which is capable of penetrating 1000 mm of armor behind dynamic protection. As practice shows, this is sufficient to defeat typical targets on the modern battlefield.
According to available data, Kornet operators destroyed armored vehicles of almost all types in service with Ukrainian formations. With the help of these ATGMs, they knocked out and destroyed the entire spectrum tanks Soviet model, including models of Ukrainian and foreign modifications.
In addition, the Kornets destroyed a number of main battle tanks produced by NATO countries. These episodes of combat operations are of particular interest, since they demonstrate not only the general potential of modern Russian ATGMs, but also the correctness of the technical solutions used in their development.
The fact is that it was the M1 Abrams or Leopard 2 tanks that were considered the main target for modern and prospective ATGMs over the past decades. The systems were developed taking into account the protection of such objects, and now they are showing that they really meet these requirements.
Interestingly, among the enemy tanks knocked out by Russian missiles, there are models with additional protection. It turned out that dynamic protection blocks, various screens and "visors" can hinder the operation of the ATGM, but do not provide absolute protection from the Kornet.
Wide range of goals
"Kornet" is originally an anti-tank weapon weapons, but it can also successfully hit other targets. For example, thanks to a cumulative warhead designed to penetrate tank armor, this ATGM destroys lighter combat vehicles with a lower level of protection. In addition, 9M133 missiles effectively hit various buildings used by the enemy.
ATGMs are regularly used to defend against attacks from water. The 9M133 family of missiles are capable of attacking light, high-speed watercraft in motion. Since such targets are unprotected, any hit makes the attack successful.
Destruction of enemy boats with landing forces
Domestic ATGMs, including Kornet, can attack some air targets. The crews of the systems often have to work on medium and heavy enemy copters that are conducting reconnaissance or are about to drop ammunition.
Recently, the Ministry of Defense reported another such episode. On one of the front lines, the Kornet operator hit the Baba Yaga UAV with the first missile and prevented the enemy from conducting reconnaissance. It is noteworthy that the launch was carried out at night, but the ATGM worked without errors or problems.
The missile's high flight and speed characteristics, as well as its beam control system, contribute to the effective use of Kornet in air defense. This simplifies target search and tracking, as well as missile guidance. In addition, the air target does not have time to detect the threat and react.
The best in the world
The 9K135 Kornet series ATGMs have excellent tactical, technical, operational and economic characteristics. They can successfully solve a wide range of combat missions related to the destruction of various targets. Based on the combination of positive qualities, Kornet can be considered the best modern ATGM in the world.
The 9K135 systems have been actively used in various conflicts of recent decades, and since 2022 they have been used in full-scale combat operations against a well-trained enemy. During their combat use, the Kornets have confirmed all their calculated characteristics and proved that they can really claim world leadership among their class.
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