9K115-2 Metis-M

9K115-2 Metis-M
General Information
Type	Anti-tank guided missile
Local name	9K115-2 Metis-M
NATO designation	AT-13 Saxhorn-2
Country of origin	Soviet Union Russia
Manufacturer	Design office for device construction
development	1980s
Commissioning	1992
Working time	in service
Technical specifications
length	0.93 m
diameter	130 mm
Combat weight	10.0 kg
span	400 mm
drive	Solid rocket engine
speed	287 m / s
Range	1,500 m
Furnishing
steering	SACLOS via wire
Warhead	4.6 kg tandem shaped load
Detonator	Impact fuse
Weapon platforms	Portable
Lists on the subject

The 9K115-2 Metis-M is a portable Russian anti-tank guided missile . The guided weapon is called 9M131 . The NATO code name is AT-13 Saxhorn-2 .

development

At the end of the 1980s, a new anti-tank guided weapon based on the successfully introduced 9K115 Metis was developed in the engineering office for equipment construction . The new weapon was created in response to the increasing use of composite armor and reactive armor in armor construction . The first models were delivered to the Russian armed forces in 1992 . There they are called 9K115-2 Metis-M. From NATO they got the designation AT-13 Saxhorn-2 .

technology

The 9M131 guided missiles are delivered from the factory in sealed GRP transport and launch containers. The loaded transport and start container weighs 13.8 kg and is placed on the 9P151M start unit. This weighs 9.5 kg and consists of the 9P152 tripod mount , the 9S816M target tracking unit and the 9P152M daylight target optics with six times magnification. These can 1PN86WI Falcon 2 - thermal imaging device to be connected. This allows target acquisition at a distance of up to 3,200 m and target identification at 1,600 m. Once the shooter has aimed at the target, he pulls the trigger and ignites the discharge charge, which the guided weapon ejects from the barrel. At a safe distance, the solid-fuel march engine ignites and accelerates the guided weapon to 287 m / s. The missile achieves a stable flight path through its rotation . To fly through the entire range of 1,500 m, the weapon needs around 8 seconds. The average flight speed is 180 m / s. During the flight the missile unwinds a wire through which it receives steering commands. The 9M131 works according to the SACLOS steering system (semi-automatic command steering). The 9S816M target tracking unit tracks the missile via an infrared radiator attached to the three wings . Steering commands are calculated in the 9S815M device block and transmitted to the missile via the wire connection. During the flight the shooter only had to keep the target in the crosshairs . The 9M131 guided weapon is equipped with a warhead with a tandem hollow charge . This has a penetration capacity of 800–900 mm armor steel or 3 m reinforced concrete . The 9M131F guided missile has a thermobaric warhead. This type of guided weapon is used to combat soft targets , structures and field fortifications. When detonated, it generates a strong overpressure and a heat effect of 800 ° C. In addition, the older 9M115 guided weapons of the previous model 9M115 can also be fired.

It takes 12–20 seconds to prepare for fire. The launch can be done lying, kneeling or standing with the shouldered mount. The 9M131 can be used from closed rooms. However, there must be at least 2 m free space behind the carriage. Usually three people are deployed. One carries the 9P151M starter unit with a starter container on top. Two more people each transport two more starting containers. However, the system can also be transported and used by a single man. The minimum combat distance of the 9M131 is 80 m. The 9M131 is more resistant to electronic interference measures than its predecessor, the 9K115 Metis. Operation has also been simplified so that soldiers can use the system effectively after only a short exercise. AT-13 can also be used as additional armament for the vehicle families BMP and BMD .

Missiles

• 9M131 Metis-M: First series version from 1992; with 4.6 kg tandem shaped charge ; Armor penetration 800–900 mm RHA , range 1,500 m
• 9M131F Metis-M: Version with 4.95 kg heavy thermobaric warhead; Range 1,500 m
• 9M131M Metis-M1: Improved version with tandem shaped charge; Armor penetration 900–1,000 mm RHA, range 2,000 m
• 9M131FM Metis M1: version with thermobaric warhead; Range 2,000 m

commitment

The 9K115-2 was used in the Chechen wars and in the Caucasus War in 2008 .

In the 2006 Lebanon War , 50 Israeli Merkava- type tanks were damaged or destroyed with 9K115 and 9M131 anti-tank guided missiles . The main armor of the main battle tanks was penetrated in 22 cases. 23 crew members were killed.

In the civil war in Syria , the 9M131 is used by both the Syrian army and IS.

The 9M131 was exported to Iran and Syria . Some of these systems are said to have been passed on to the Lebanese Hezbollah via Syria .

distribution

•  Algeria
•  Armenia
•  Bangladesh
•  Georgia
•  Iran
•  Cameroon
•  Croatia
•  Malaysia
•  Morocco
•  South Korea
•  Russia
•  Syria
•  Ukraine
•  Hungary

Individual evidence

1. ↑ ^{a b} Michal Fiszer: Russia's Tank Stoppers, Part 1 & 2. Journal of Electronic Defense (JED), Nov 2004.
2. ↑ ^{a b} A.W. Hull, DR Markov, SJ Zaloga : Soviet / Russian Armor and Artillery Design Practices 1945 to Present. Darlington Productions, 1999, ISBN 1-892848-01-5 .
3. ↑ ^{a b c d} Richard D. Jones: Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group ; 35 edition (January 27, 2009), ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5 .
4. ↑ ^{a b c d e} Противотанковый ракетный комплекс 9К115-2 Метис-М ( Memento of August 3, 2008 in the Internet Archive ) new-factoria.ru, accessed: May 27, 2013
5. ↑ Why did Armored Corps Fail in Lebanon? ynetnews.com, accessed May 27, 2013
6. ^ ^{A b} Tough lessons for Israeli armor BBC News, accessed May 27, 2013
7. ↑ ادلب ~ عملية نوعية على مطار ابو ظهور YouTube, accessed May 27, 2013.
8. ↑ Video: Syrian Mig-23 destroyed on the ground by the rebels The Aviationist, accessed on May 27, 2013.

Web links

Commons : 9K115 Metis  - collection of images, videos and audio files

• Manufacturer design office for device construction (KBP)
• Description at deagel.com
• Description at defense-update.com