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9M120 Ataka

The 9M120 Ataka (NATO reporting name: AT-9 Spiral-2) is a Soviet-origin semi-automatic command to line-of-sight (SACLOS) anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) designed for engaging armored vehicles, fortifications, and low-flying aerial targets. Developed in the late 1980s by the Kolomna Machine-Building Design Bureau (KBM) as an evolution of the earlier 9M114 Shturm missile, it entered operational service in the early 1990s and remains in production for Russian and export use. Employing radio command guidance via the "Rainbow" system, the 9M120 maintains supersonic speeds up to 550 m/s and achieves a maximum effective range of 6,000 meters, with variants extending to 8,000 meters. Key variants include the baseline 9M120 with a tandem high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead capable of penetrating over 800 mm of rolled homogeneous armor (RHA) behind explosive reactive armor (ERA), the 9M120F with thermobaric warhead for soft targets and bunkers, and the 9A220O with continuous-rod warhead for helicopters. The missile weighs approximately 49.5 kg at launch and measures 1.83 m in length, typically carried in transport-launch containers. Primarily deployed from attack helicopters such as the Mi-24VM, Mi-28N, and Ka-52, the Ataka system integrates with advanced targeting suites including laser rangefinders and thermal imagers for day/night operations up to 4,000 m altitude. Ground-based platforms like the 9P149 and support vehicle also utilize it, enabling volleys of up to eight missiles. The Ataka has seen extensive use in modern conflicts, including the , underscoring its role in tactical and doctrines.

History

Development

The development of the 9M120 Ataka was initiated in the late by the Machine-Building Design Bureau (KBM), a key Soviet design organization specializing in guided missile systems. As a direct successor to the 9M114 Shturm (NATO: AT-6 Spiral), the Ataka project aimed to address limitations in the earlier missile's performance against evolving armored threats. Primary goals included enhancing resistance to electronic countermeasures through refined radio , improving hit accuracy via upgraded control systems, and extending beyond the Shturm's 5 km limit to better engage distant targets. These objectives were pursued by incorporating a more powerful solid-fuel motor for higher velocity and a tandem for superior penetration against reactive armor. Initial testing focused on with existing platforms, ensuring seamless upgrades without major modifications to launchers. The missile entered service with Soviet forces in the early 1990s, following successful trials that validated its semi-automatic command to line-of-sight (SACLOS) guidance and overall reliability. Full adoption occurred in the early 1990s, with widespread integration into helicopter armaments such as the and ground-based systems like the 9P149 Shturm-S self-propelled launcher. KBM's design team emphasized modularity, allowing the Ataka to support variant warheads while maintaining the cylindrical of its predecessor for logistical compatibility.

Operational History

The 9M120 Ataka entered service in the early , primarily for integration into the Mi-28 attack helicopter and related platforms, where it underwent initial training exercises and limited operational evaluations to assess its anti-tank capabilities against armored targets. These early deployments focused on familiarization and tactical drills rather than combat, as the missile's adoption followed the . During Russia's military intervention in the in the , the 9M120 Ataka saw its first confirmed combat use aboard Mi-28N helicopters, particularly in operations near in 2016, where it demonstrated effectiveness against armored and soft targets at ranges of 3-4.5 km. Variants such as the 9M120 with tandem warhead successfully destroyed an enemy , while the 9M120F thermobaric version neutralized infantry positions in buildings, highlighting the missile's versatility in urban and open terrain engagements. The system's radio-command guidance proved resilient against older Syrian MANPADS like Strela-2 and Igla-1, allowing safe standoff engagements. In the ongoing since 2022, the 9M120 Ataka has been extensively employed by Russian Mi-28 and Ka-52 helicopters for tank-hunting missions, targeting Ukrainian armored columns with its radio-guided precision at ranges up to 6 km. Ground-based launches from vehicles have also occurred, providing fire support in urban and frontline assaults, though such platforms have faced losses to Ukrainian defenses. Ukrainian forces have captured 9M120 units during counteroffensives in the eastern fronts, enabling analysis and potential reverse-engineering of the system. Operational feedback from prompted upgrades to the 9M120 series, including the improved 9M120-1 Ataka variant with enhanced resistance to , adopted for the Mi-28NM, which extended to 6 km while maintaining with existing . In , the 9M120 Ataka has achieved a high success rate against armor, contributing to the disruption of mechanized advances through precise strikes from platforms. However, its delivery systems remain vulnerable to MANPADS such as and Igla, as well as measures that can disrupt radio guidance, leading to significant losses and operational constraints.

Design

Guidance and Launch Systems

The 9M120 Ataka employs a semi-automatic command to (SACLOS) guidance system using radio commands transmitted via a (VHF) link from the launch platform. The operator maintains visual contact with the target through a sighting device, while onboard electronics in the guidance unit automatically compute and send corrective commands to steer the along the line of sight. This radio command method allows for mid-course adjustments, enabling the to follow a relatively straight trajectory with high precision against armored or low-flying targets. The missile is stored and launched from glass-reinforced plastic tubes, which provide and serve as the disposable launch containers to minimize operator exposure during firing. These tubes are integrated into pod systems on compatible platforms, typically carrying 8 missiles per pod for rapid salvo launches. The tube-launched design facilitates compatibility across various delivery systems without requiring major modifications to existing launchers. Compatible platforms include attack helicopters such as the /Mi-35, , and /Ka-52, where the missiles are mounted in underwing or fuselage pods. Ground-based systems feature the 9P149 Shturm-S vehicle and the armored fighting vehicle, each equipped with four launchers for anti-tank roles. Limited naval applications exist on small vessels via the Ataka-T system. In operation, the launch vehicle's tracker unit, equipped with antennas, continuously monitors the target's position and relays encoded radio signals to the missile for real-time corrections, enhancing reliability in dynamic conditions. Compared to its predecessor, the 9M114 Shturm, the Ataka offers improved through advanced encoding in its radio guidance signals, allowing sustained performance in environments.

Propulsion and Aerodynamics

The 9M120 Ataka employs a two-stage solid-fuel rocket motor for , consisting of an initial boost phase followed by a sustainer phase to achieve its operational range. This motor, positioned aft of the , propels the missile at an average speed of approximately 400 m/s and a maximum speed of 550 m/s. The missile features a cylindrical body with a high-length-to- to minimize aerodynamic , measuring 1.83 m in length including the transport-launch container and 130 mm in . It utilizes a aerodynamic configuration, incorporating folding wings with a span of 360 mm for lift and stability during flight. Tandem control surfaces—front and rear X-shaped fins—enable precise adjustments in , yaw, and roll without reliance on , distinguishing it from earlier designs like the 9M114 Shturm. In flight, the 9M120 follows a low-altitude, near-straight trajectory to evade enemy detection and radar, supported by wire-free radio command guidance effective up to 6 km. The total launch mass is 49.5 kg, including a 7.4 kg tandem warhead section.

Variants

Anti-Tank Variants

The anti-tank variants of the 9M120 Ataka missile system are optimized for engaging and destroying armored vehicles, particularly main battle tanks equipped with advanced protection like composite armor and explosive reactive armor (ERA). These variants employ tandem high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warheads, which use a precursor charge to detonate ERA and expose the underlying armor, followed by a main charge to achieve deep penetration. Guidance is provided via radio-command signals in a semi-automatic command to line of sight (SACLOS) mode, with a contact fuze for precise detonation upon impact. Development of these variants began in the at the Machine-Building Design Bureau (KBM) as an evolution of the earlier 9M114 Shturm system, specifically to counter the growing threat posed by Western tanks such as the and , which featured enhanced armor that rendered single-stage warheads ineffective. The baseline 9M120 entered service in the early with a tandem warhead capable of penetrating 800 mm of rolled homogeneous armor (RHA) equivalent behind , at a maximum range of 6 km. The 9M120M represents an upgraded anti-tank model introduced to address evolving armor threats, featuring an improved with increased to 950 mm RHA behind and an extended operational range of 8 km enabled by a more powerful solid-fuel motor. This variant maintains the core radio-command guidance and design for compatibility with and ground launchers. Further refinement led to the 9M120D variant, developed in the post-2010s for enhanced integration, which extends the maximum range to 10 km while offering options including the for armored target destruction.

Specialized Warhead Variants

The specialized variants of the 9M120 Ataka were developed in the and 2000s to broaden the missile's effectiveness against non-armored targets, including fortifications, personnel, and low-flying aircraft, while maintaining compatibility with existing launch platforms like the Mi-24 helicopter and BMPT . These configurations prioritize blast effects, fragmentation, or multi-role adaptability over deep armor penetration, allowing for engagement of bunkers, concentrations, light , and hovering or slow-moving aerial threats. The 9M120F variant features a thermobaric , optimized for destroying in open positions, bunkers, and light vehicles through a -air explosive effect that generates intense and heat in confined or semi-enclosed spaces. This , designated "Fugasnaya" for its high-explosive incendiary properties, disperses a cloud that ignites to produce a prolonged , making it particularly lethal against unarmored targets and structures. The 9M220O employs a proximity-fused expanding rod with fragmentation elements, designed specifically for intercepting low-flying helicopters or other slow-moving via airburst detonation at a distance of up to 4 meters from the . This uses a non-contact to trigger the , which forms a lethal annular pattern of fragments to disrupt rotor blades and airframes, enhancing the Ataka system's air-to-air capability without requiring dedicated anti- munitions. As an export-oriented multi-role variant, the 9M120-1 incorporates selectable options, including high-explosive fragmentation and fuel-air explosive , enabling it to engage surface targets like fortified positions or small ships, as well as low-speed threats in addition to lighter armored vehicles. This version, often integrated into upgraded platforms such as the Ka-52 helicopter, supports versatile mission profiles by allowing operators to switch modes for anti-fortification or anti-personnel roles, with testing demonstrating effectiveness against a range of non-traditional battlefield targets.

Specifications

Physical Characteristics

The 9M120 Ataka measures 1,830 mm in length, with a of 130 mm and a of 360 mm. The 's total launch weight, including its transport and launch container, is 49.5 kg. The weighs 7.4 kg in its baseline tandem configuration, though this can vary slightly by variant to accommodate different mission profiles. The is housed in a glass-reinforced tube that serves dual purposes as both storage container and launcher, providing protection during transport and enabling straightforward deployment. Launchers for the 9M120 are typically configured in clusters of 4 to 12 missiles on ground vehicles such as the 9P149 or attack helicopters like the Mi-24 and Ka-50, with the tubes arranged in rail or pod systems for rapid salvo fire. The system operates reliably in temperatures ranging from -50°C to +50°C, ensuring functionality in diverse environmental conditions.

Performance Metrics

The 9M120 Ataka has an effective firing of 0.4 to 6 km in its baseline configuration, enabling engagement of armored targets from or platforms at standoff distances suitable for tactical maneuvers. Extended variants, such as the 9M120M and 9M120D, increase this to up to 8 km and 10 km respectively, providing greater operational flexibility in modern combat scenarios. The missile achieves a maximum speed of 550 m/s, with an average cruise speed of approximately 400 m/s during flight, resulting in a time of flight to maximum range of about 14.5 to 15 seconds. This velocity profile allows for rapid target acquisition while maintaining stability under SACLOS guidance. Accuracy is enhanced by the semi-automatic command to line-of-sight (SACLOS) guidance system, with a hit probability exceeding 90% against stationary main battle tanks in clear weather conditions at ranges up to 4 km. The system's automatic tracking contributes to this precision, though performance can vary with environmental factors. In terms of lethality, the baseline high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) penetrates 800 mm of rolled homogeneous armor (RHA) after reactive armor, while improved versions achieve 900–950 mm RHA . A thermobaric variant (9M120F) offers enhanced effects against fortifications and personnel. Early models of the 9M120 are susceptible to electronic jamming, particularly at ranges beyond 6 km, which can disrupt radio command links; later variants incorporate improvements for greater resistance to such countermeasures.

Operators

Current Operators

Russia remains the primary operator of the 9M120 Ataka missile, with the system integrated into its armed forces for use on platforms such as the attack helicopter, Kamov Ka-52 Alligator, and armored vehicle. Ongoing production and upgrades continue to support its deployment in active service, including recent variants tested in combat operations. India operates the 9M120 Ataka on its fleet of approximately 15 Mil Mi-35 attack helicopters, following a 2019 contract worth approximately USD 29 million for integration to enhance anti-tank capabilities. Deliveries commenced shortly after the agreement. Other nations maintaining the 9M120 Ataka in active inventories include , which equips its Mil Mi-24MKIII and Ka-52 helicopters with the missile following deliveries in 2011–2013; , utilizing it on Mil Mi-35M platforms; , which received initial batches in 2021 for integration into its forces; , following orders for use on Ka-52 helicopters; , arming its Mil Mi-35P helicopters since at least 2014; , which operates the missile on Mi-171Sh helicopters following a 1999 acquisition of approximately 500 units; ; , deploying it on attack helicopters; ; , receiving missiles through Russian military aid for use on exported Mil Mi-24/35 variants; and . These operators primarily employ the missile on Soviet/Russian-origin helicopters for anti-tank roles.

Former Operators

The 9M120 Ataka system was originally developed and operated by the , entering service in the early 1990s primarily for integration with attack helicopters like the Mi-24 and Mi-28. Following the in December 1991, operational Ataka systems and stockpiles were transferred to successor states, effectively ending direct Soviet operation of the weapon. Brazil became a notable export operator of the Ataka in the early 2010s, acquiring the missiles alongside 12 Mi-35M (AH-2 Sabre) attack helicopters delivered between 2010 and 2012, which were configured to carry up to 16 9M120 Ataka variants for anti-tank roles. The Brazilian Air Force initially deployed these assets for counter-narcotics and border security missions, but operational challenges emerged due to high maintenance costs, limited spare parts availability, and difficulties in sustaining Russian-sourced equipment. By 2022, amid broader geopolitical tensions including Western sanctions on following the 2022 invasion of , accelerated the retirement of its Mi-35M fleet, with decommissioning beginning in March and completing by December of that year. This phaseout rendered the Ataka missiles obsolete in , driven by constraints, the aging of the platforms, and a strategic shift toward Western-compatible systems like the and potential future acquisitions. Post-retirement, remaining Ataka stockpiles have been placed in storage, with one Mi-35M preserved in a and no evidence of active combat employment after the fleet's grounding.

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