Since the First World War, tanks quickly became a real headache infantry.Initially, even when equipped with a primitive armor, they are not likely to leave the soldiers.Even during the Second World War, when seemingly appeared regimental artillery and PTR (anti-tank guns), tanks still dictated the rules of engagement.
But then came 1943, marked one of the few cases where the engineers of Nazi Germany were able to create not only effective but also the most effective weapon, Faust cartridge.It is on this basis after the war was created by the celebrated RPG-2, which has become, in its turn, and did the legendary ancestor of the RPG-7.
But the constant "battle armor and projectile" and did not think to stop.There was a composite armor, which usually grenade was not so easy to break.In addition, the experiments already being carried out to establish a dynamic and active protection system, which is now equipped with all the normal MBT world.We had a new tool to counter.
such was portable infantry anti-tank systems.On the appearance of their working part is strongly reminiscent of that same launcher, only attached "pipe" to the special support, which is mounted numerous means of guidance and control.As the projectile is not used rocket-propelled grenade, and a full anti-tank missile, even a little.
Today we want to tell you about the "Cornet".Antitank missile system of this model has long been in service of our army and theoretically can effectively resist all modern MBT potential enemy.
Start developing
Whatever the situation was not serious in 90 years, but to honor local gunsmiths (Tula Design Bureau), has begun work on a completely new types of weapons.Already in 1994 the first set of steel by the armed forces of the army.In fairness it should be noted that the work is not started from scratch: as the basis used antitank system "Reflex", which at that time could be installed on all domestic tanks and self-propelled guns "Octopus-S" and "Octopus-LED".
But all then-existing anti-domestic systems was one very significant drawback.It is a method of controlling either wired when soldiers had to rush to the coils or by radio control, which could easily be suppressed by enemy agents for production of active interference.
«Management features" of the new ATGM
what's different "Cornet"?Antitank missile system of this type completed with control systems similar to those used in the aircraft industry.Firstly, the installation itself is mounted on a fairly powerful laser transmitter, which effectively illuminates the target.The design of the latter has a photodetector, which catches the reflected beam.Homing missiles interprets the data and is able to finely adjust the flight course.
Note that the anti-tank systems of the previous generation had another problem: the accuracy of hitting almost 90% dependent on the professionalism of the operator and his firm hand.A soldier had to literally hand to carry out an adjustment of a missile, constantly imposing it on purpose.To do this, use the joystick.Imagine a situation where the enemy machine at this time is not standing still in place and is actively maneuvering, trying to cover the operator from all available weapons: that is a little harder to pull your finger - all the rocket went off target.
wires often rushed, being torn by shrapnel or bullets, and from the banal to hedge their mastication was impossible.Control over the air often wilderness.
such shortcomings and was completely devoid of "Cornet".Antitank missile system completely autonomous, equipped with "smart" missiles, which do not need to carry by hand.Of course, theoretically, the laser beam can reflect and scatter, utilizing a smokescreen.But, in practice, this takes a relatively long time.The speed of the missile is such that even if at 100-300 meters from the purpose of its exact coordinates will be lost, ammunition will cover this distance in such a short period of time that the enemy tank still will not go away.
Thus, the complex "Cornet" is a highly reliable weapon that allows you to confidently hit enemy armored vehicles in various conditions.
What problems were faced by designers?
Since the mid-80s, almost all the tanks of the Western powers were completed with dynamic protection systems, and therefore before the Tula became a "simple" task: to provide a reliable defeat protected by such equipment.Not surprisingly, developed missile "Cornet" 9M133 was immediately equipped with a tandem warhead.Its first element disabling the DMZ, provoking its activation, and only the second part of the hit directly tank armor.
way, because of this rocket design was quite remarkable.Thus, the cumulative charge stored in the aft engine - in the middle, and the primary charge - in the nose.Control systems are located aft.
unconventional use
However, not alone can destroy tanks "Cornet".Antitank missile system could be used more unconventional way.
The fact that the various anti-tank systems of various sets ever since its adopting soldiers often used as an effective means by which the enemy can quickly smoke from a fortified bunker.So, during the Battle of the Falklands in 1982, British paratroopers often took fortified areas, suppressing their resistance, with the help of its anti-complexes.
Our special forces, using "Fagot" dushmans knocked out of their caves, and the Russian military used this weapon during the second Chechen campaign.It turned out that "Fagot" extremely effective when stripping buildings.In short, in recent years accumulated such example is very, very much.
only important to consider that the missile ATGM - not thermobaric munitions, and therefore against a live enemy forces its use does not always lead to the desired results.Tula, assessing the combat experience of the Soviet and Russian troops, especially for "Cornet" a missile, equipped with just the same thermobaric warhead.Such a projectile hitting a closed space of a fortified bunker, literally tearing everything living inside due to a sharp pressure drop occurring in the explosion.
short, the missile "Cornet" - really a multi-purpose weapon that can very widely used in all military branches.
Western version
Worldwide noticeable trend of active anti-complete abandonment of facilities, management which needs skilled operator.Among Western ATRA are American "Javelin" and Israeli "spikes."Their statement follows the principle of "fire and forget."It is believed that such complexes belong to the third generation.Our complex "Cornet", by the way, refers to the second.
rockets fired from these systems focuses not only on the laser beam and the motor heat emanating from the target, but also on a reference image of enemy equipment, which is embedded in her memory.
main problem of the "Javelin" is the extremely high cost of ammunition.One missile can easily cost 120-130 thousand dollars.And it is in one piece!Not all countries can afford to equip their armies such anti-tank systems, despite their undoubted merits.For example, in India it not so long ago was announced work on a self-propelled anti-tank systems (based on BMP), which is armed with only one "Javelin."So, the cost of the chassis and combat complex equal.However, ATRA is even slightly more expensive.
In contrast, in the same Syria has repeatedly been spotted crafts based ATGM "Kornet-E", mounted on the ubiquitous BMP-1/2.Given the fact that the complex itself and the rocket cost about 30 thousand dollars, their price is much lower than the cost of the chassis, which makes the production of such complexes economically feasible.
In addition, there is the western third generation systems is another problem.It is expressed in at the effective range.So, the rocket "Javelina" can theoretically fly directly to 4700 meters, but it is only effective homing part at a distance of 2500 meters.Installing such systems on large chassis BMP simply meaningless: as the car will be selected to the tank, the time to hit her several times (including its own missiles).
There are serious problems in terms of urban combat.So, in 2003, the Americans with no problems incited all Iraqi tanks and infantry fighting vehicles.But that was only in open areas.In the cities, uses of "Javelin" in armor was not.And because the Americans (and later the Israelis) to equip their systems of third generation manual.
Russian decision
Soon Tula significantly upgraded "Cornet": ATRA was "intelligent" tracking system.Looks its use as follows: first operator to visually pinpoint the target, she sends her way ATRA, and then puts the label.After missile launch herself oriented in space, requiring no human intervention in the process.Due to this, "Cornet" - anti-tank systems, which can be used even for the assured destruction of enemy helicopters.
If you think that the "Javelin" with its 4.5 thousand meters looks good, the domestic development in this regard at all unique.Thus, under the condition of acquisition of new missiles with the help of "Cornet" can knock out a tank at a distance of eight to ten thousand meters.The probability of hitting the target consistently high throughout the range of possible applications.
Some modifications
Currently our troops get completely redesigned version of the complex under the symbol "D", while the export is "Kornet-EM".In general, any difference between the no.It should be noted that just in the last couple of years, the main landing gear for this complex was the car "Tiger".In addition, Airborne now receive a special anti-missile system "Cornet", which is mounted on the chassis of the BTR-D.What other modifications are?
What does the index "E"?
first ATRA was unveiled in 1994, and used the name "Kornet-E."What it is?The index in this case denotes export version.Distinguish it from the version that is used by the Russian Armed Forces, minimal, boils down to the signatures on the instructions and a control unit arranged in the English language (or any other, depending on the customer).
Generally it antitank missile complex "Kornet-E" is most often found in various "hot spots" around the world.The reasons are simple: it is cheap, easy to learn as much as possible and capable of reliably hitting almost all existing species of armored vehicles. "
«Brigandine" version
Oddly enough, but this complex is now regarded as a very promising "additive" to the "armor".We have already talked about the reasons: the new missiles it is easy not only to bring down enemy UAVs, but even helicopter gunships.In this case the kind of "symbiosis" technique: a powerful detection system "armor" to pinpoint the target, and then to an anti-missile system "Cornet" destroys it.Oddly enough, but one rocket launch ATGM there is one downed UAV, while for the destruction of it from automatic guns, "armor" requires at least a hundred shells.
course, these goals can be a 100% probability destroyed anti-aircraft missiles, that's just the cost is that this shooting will be too costly activities.In addition, the current drones can easily fool a laser guidance system, "armor", while the missile is guided solely by ATRA simple visual target tracking, without the need for its laser illumination.
Caters to destroy air targets was created antitank missile complex "Kornet-E", but for this purpose it is possible to use and other anti-tank systems of this family.
At the moment looks very promising and the idea of installing complex patrol ships and boats of the Navy of the Russian Federation (this is not an idea, such modernization is).So in just 20 years, the development of the Tula masters has gone from "advanced" means the destruction of armored vehicles to the multi-weapons complex, which can destroy targets on the ground, in the air and at sea.
«Emka»
But the most promising for the "mass market" still looks like it is the "Kornet-EM", mounted on the chassis of "Tiger".The first development was demonstrated during the MAKS-2011.Unique in the world this system is not.
In this case, the complex is equipped with 16 missiles at once, half of which is in protective containers and ready for combat use.Available volley shooting on goal, when the tank at the same time "works" two missiles.Possible shooting all types of munitions that have ever been developed for this weapon.The great advantage, which has an anti-missile complex "Kornet-EM", is the widespread use in the manufacture of chassis available and materials that dramatically reduces the cost compared with Western models.
Basic specifications
minimum firing range - 150 meters.Maximum - 10 kilometers.The plant is fully automated, electronic "filling" is protected from possible jamming by the enemy.It can simultaneously carry and fire two goals.The cumulative part can penetrate up to 1300 mm homogenous steel armor.Blast version of the rocket carries an explosive charge, equivalent to 7 kilograms of TNT.Moving complex from traveling to combat takes only seven seconds.
the first time in the history of domestic arms production has been implemented scheme of "fire and forget."Because virtually eliminate the person from the management of the rocket failed to almost 100% increase in the probability of hitting the target on the first try.It should be noted that the old complex "Cornet-E" has nearly doubled over the worst performance.The ability to automatically assign and tracking favorably affects the psycho-emotional state of staff, who can concentrate on driving and laying the lines of retreat.
In principle, this complex can be mounted far only one "Tiger".For example, using an anti-missile system Kornet chassis BMP-3, and in this version (due to a better booking) installation is recommended for use in conditions of intense urban combat.How strong is the load on the chassis of the carrier vehicle?
Depending on the number of launchers, the mass of ATRA "Kornet-EM" can vary from 0.8 to 1.2 tons, for the chassis of the same "Tiger" (which borrowed from BTR) has virtually no value.The containers are made of durable plastic.Warranty period of storage of missiles without a routine inspection of not less than ten years.
The complex
Firstly, the complex includes directly chassis cab equipped with an eye, and other devices.As we have already said, our defense industry to this role often brings car "Tiger".Features of the complex in this case also in the fact that it looks far from being as precise anti-tank systems, and as a regular SUV as missiles hidden in his body.In the case of a real threat to the container takes its position on the chassis in just seven seconds.
missiles themselves, their nomenclature may be different - from anti-tank weapons directly to the high-explosive species, can be used against enemy troops in urban combat.They have an effective range of up to ten kilometers.It is reported that the tandem of the missile can hit infantry hidden behind concrete walls, the total thickness of which amounts to about three meters.
anti-tank missiles.
