9K115 Metis

9K115 Metis

NATO reporting name: AT-7 Saxhorn
Type Anti-tank missile
Place of origin Soviet Union
Service history
In service 1979 – present
Used by Russia
Production history
Manufacturer KBP Instrument Design Bureau
Produced 1978 – present
Variants 9K115-2 Metis-M
Specifications
Weight 5.5 kg (12 lb);
6.3 kg (14 lb) w/container
Length 740 mm (29 in)
Diameter 94 mm (4 in)
Warhead HEAT shaped charge
Warhead weight 2.5 kg (5.5 lb)

Wingspan 300 mm (12 in)
Operational
range
40–1,000 m (130–3,280 ft)
Speed 223 m/s (732 ft/s)
Guidance
system
Wire-guided SACLOS

The 9K115 Metis ("mongrel") (NATO reporting name AT-7 Saxhorn) is a man-portable SACLOS wire-guided anti-tank missile system of the Soviet Union.

Development

The missile was developed by the Tula KBP. It is very similar to the AT-4 Spigot in external appearance (having three main fins); however, the missile is much lighter - primarily because of the reduced fuel load, which reduces the maximum range to 1,000 metres (3,300 ft).

During the 1980s, an upgraded version of the missile was developed - the Metis-M 9M131 (sometimes labelled Metis-2). Fired from the same launcher, the new missile is much larger and heavier, with an increased range and a larger warhead. NATO labelled this missile the AT-13 Saxhorn-2.

Main article: 9K115-2 Metis-M

History

The missile was introduced into the Russian army in 1979 to supplement the AT-4 Spigot at company level. The system is lighter than the AT-4 Spigot system, due to a less complicated tripod launcher and a lighter missile.

In Russian service, the AT-7 is deployed with motor rifle companies, with three launchers per company. The missile is operated by a two-man team; the gunner carries the 9P151 launching post and one missile, his assistant carries an additional three missiles.

The export prices of the missile and firing post in 1992 were:

Models

Description

The missile is fired from the 9P151 launching post, which has a simple tripod for support. It can also be fired from the shoulder - but this apparently requires more skill on the part of the operator. The launching post weighs 10.2 kilograms (22 lb). The missile is launched from the tube by a booster rather than the gas generator used on the AT-4 Spigot system, despite both missiles being designed by the same design bureau. The 9S816 guidance system is powered by a thermal battery attached to the launch tube shortly before launch - the missile itself is remotely powered along the guidance wires.

The missile can be launched from an enclosed space, such as a building or cave, but requires at least 6 metres (20 ft) behind the launcher, and a total internal volume of at least 100 cubic metres (3,500 cu ft). The missile has a short minimum range of 40 metres (130 ft) and can engage targets moving at up to 60 kilometres per hour (37 mph).

The missiles warhead is a single HEAT shaped charge.

Operators

Map with 9K115 operators in blue and former operators in red
Croatian 9K115 Metis

Current operators

Former operators

See also

References

External links

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