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Their first samples were a rather heavy (about 1 kg) thrown explosive charge, capable of crushing 15-20 mm of armor with its high-explosive action with a snug fit. An example of such weapons are the Soviet RPG-40 and RPG-41 grenades. The combat effectiveness of anti-tank crushing grenades turned out to be very low.
During the Second World War, hand-held anti-tank grenades or throwing mines with cumulative warheads appeared, for example, the Soviet RPG-43, RPG-6 or German PWM-1L. Armor penetration increased to 70-100 mm when meeting an obstacle at a right angle, which was no longer enough for many types of tanks in the final period of the war. In addition, a whole set of conditions was required to effectively disable a tank, which further reduced the effectiveness of hand-held throwing weapons with a cumulative warhead.
anti-tank mines
Artillery
An anti-tank gun (AT) is a specialized artillery gun for combating enemy armored vehicles by direct fire. In the vast majority of cases, it is a long-barreled gun with a high muzzle velocity and a low elevation angle. Other characteristic features of the anti-tank gun include unitary loading and a semi-automatic wedge breech, which contribute to the maximum rate of fire. When designing anti-tank guns, special attention is paid to minimizing its weight and dimensions in order to facilitate transportation and camouflage on the ground.
A self-propelled artillery mount (SAU) can be structurally very similar to a tank, but is designed to solve other tasks: destroying enemy tanks from ambushes or providing fire support to troops from a closed firing position, and therefore has a different balance of armor and weapons. A tank destroyer is a fully and well-armored self-propelled artillery mount (ACS) specialized for combating enemy armored vehicles. It is in its armor that the tank destroyer differs from the anti-tank self-propelled guns, which have light and partial armor protection.
Recoilless guns
There is no clear boundary between rocket-propelled grenade launchers and recoilless rifles. English term recoilless rifle(recoilless gun) designates both the L6 WOMBAT weighing 295 kg on a wheeled carriage, and the M67 weighing 17 kg for shooting from the shoulder or bipod. In Russia (USSR), a grenade launcher was considered an SPG-9 weighing 64.5 kg on a wheeled carriage and an RPG-7 weighing 6.3 kg for firing from the shoulder. In Italy, the Folgore system weighing 18.9 kg is considered a grenade launcher, and the same system on a tripod and with a ballistic computer (weight 25.6 kg) is considered a recoilless gun. The appearance of HEAT shells made smooth-bore recoilless guns promising as light anti-tank guns. Such guns were used by the United States at the end of World War II, and in the post-war years, recoilless anti-tank guns were adopted by a number of countries, including the USSR, and were actively used (and continue to be used) in a number of armed conflicts. The most widely used recoilless rifles are in the armies of developing countries. In the armies of developed countries, BO as an anti-tank weapon has been mainly replaced by anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs). Some exceptions are the Scandinavian countries, for example, Sweden, where BO continues to develop, and, by improving ammunition using the latest technological advances, they have achieved armor penetration of 800 mm (with a caliber of 90 mm, that is, almost 9klb)
Missile weapons
tactical missiles
Tactical missiles, depending on the type, can be equipped with all kinds of anti-tank submunitions, mines.
ATGM
The main advantage of tank ATGMs is greater, compared to any type of tank armament, accuracy in hitting targets, as well as a large range of aimed fire. This makes it possible to fire at an enemy tank, remaining out of range of its weapons, with a probability of destruction exceeding that of modern tank guns at such a distance. Significant disadvantages of ATGMs include 1) lower than that of a tank gun projectile, the average speed of a rocket and 2) an extremely high cost of a shot.
1. "Fagot": "Fagot" (GRAU index - 9K111, according to the classification of the US Department of Defense and NATO - AT-4 Spigot, English. Crane (sleeve)) - Soviet / Russian portable anti-tank missile system with semi-automatic command guidance by wire. Designed to destroy visually observable stationary and moving targets at speeds up to 60 km/h (enemy armored vehicles, shelters and weapons) at ranges up to 2 km, and with a 9M113 missile - up to 4 km.
Developed at the Instrument Design Bureau (Tula) and TsNIITochMash. Adopted in 1970. Upgraded version - 9M111-2, version of the missile with increased flight range and increased armor penetration - 9M111M.
The complex includes:
folding portable launcher with control equipment and launch mechanism;
missiles 9M111 (9M111-2) in transport and launch containers (TPK);
spare tools and accessories (SPTA);
test equipment and other auxiliary equipment.
Easy to operate, can be carried by two people. The weight of the pack N1 of the crew commander with the launcher is 22.5 kg. The second calculation number transfers the N2 pack weighing 26.85 kg with two missiles to the TPK.
2. "Kornet": "Kornet" (GRAU index - 9K135, according to the classification of the US Defense Ministry and NATO: AT-14 Spriggan) is an anti-tank missile system developed by the Tula Instrument Design Bureau. Developed on the basis of the Reflex tank guided weapon system, retaining its main layout solutions. Designed to destroy tanks and other armored targets, including those equipped with modern means of dynamic protection. Modification of the Kornet-D ATGM can also hit air targets.
3. "Competition" (complex index - 9K111-1, missiles - 9M113, original name - "Oboe", according to the classification of the US Defense Ministry and NATO - AT-5 Spandrel, literally "Superstructure") - Soviet self-propelled anti-tank missile system. It was developed in the Instrument Design Bureau, Tula. Designed to destroy tanks, engineering and fortifications.
Subsequently, a modification 9K111-1M "Konkurs-M" (original name - "Udar") with improved characteristics (tandem warhead) was developed, which was put into service in 1991. ATGM "Konkurs" was produced under license in the GDR, Iran (the so-called "Towsan-1", since 2000) and India ("Konkurs-M").
4. "Chrysanthemum" (Index of the complex / missile - 9K123 / 9M123, according to the classification of NATO and the US Department of Defense - AT-15 Springer) - a self-propelled anti-tank missile system.
It was developed in the Kolomna Design Bureau of Mechanical Engineering. Designed to destroy tanks (including those equipped with dynamic protection), infantry fighting vehicles and other lightly armored targets, engineering and fortifications, surface targets, low-speed air targets, manpower (including in shelters and in open areas).
The complex has a combined missile control system:
automatic radar in the millimeter range with missile guidance in the radio beam;
semi-automatic with missile guidance in the laser beam
Two containers with missiles can be installed on the launcher at the same time. Missiles are launched sequentially.
Ammunition ATGM "Chrysanthemum-S" consists of four types of ATGM in the TPK: 9M123 with guidance on laser beam and 9M123-2 with radio beam guidance, with an over-caliber tandem-cumulative warhead and 9M123F and 9M123F-2 missiles, respectively, with laser and radio beam guidance, with a high-explosive (thermobaric) warhead.
5. "Metis" (index of the complex / missile - 9K115, according to the classification of NATO and the US Department of Defense - AT-7 Saxhorn) - Soviet / Russian portable anti-tank missile system of the company level with semi-automatic command guidance by wire. Refers to the ATGM of the second generation. Developed by the Tula Instrument Design Bureau.
Based on data published in the foreign press and on materials from the open Soviet press, the book popularly outlines the main provisions for combating tanks and other armored targets in combat operations under various conditions.
The work provides a brief analysis of the development state of the art and prospects for improving tanks and armored vehicles, a historical outline of the development of the fight against tanks, a description of modern means, organization and methods of fighting tanks.
The book is intended for a wide circle of military readers.
Sections of this page:
hallmark of all special anti-tank weapons is their ability to penetrate the armor of tanks. Such funds are needed as in a war using nuclear weapons, and mainly in the conduct of hostilities using only conventional means defeat.
The nuclear weapons put into service in the 1950s opened up ample opportunities to inflict massive losses on enemy tanks in a short time. At the same time, one should not forget that a significant part of the tanks will survive even if the enemy side successfully uses nuclear weapons. Tanks that are in direct contact with the enemy will be out of action of nuclear weapons due to the danger of their use for their troops. Therefore, the problem of fighting tanks in close combat is not removed.
The use of nuclear weapons in modern combat makes it possible to double or triple the rate of offensive as compared with the Second World War.
During the offensive, the defending enemy will seek to disrupt it. To this end, counterattacks and counterattacks will be carried out, the backbone of which are tanks. Naturally, in order to ensure high rates of advance, it is necessary to ensure no less high rates of destruction of counterattacking tanks, i.e., also two to three times higher than in the last war.
The average rate of destruction of attacking tanks according to the experience of the battles of 1942-1945. were 2-3 minutes per tank (6-10 aimed shots). It was impossible to increase the average rate of destruction of tanks in battle, i.e., to bring it up to 1 minute per tank, relying on the material basis of anti-tank weapons of the period 1945–1950. A contradiction was brewing between the increase in the pace of battle and the rate of destruction of tanks. Therefore, it was necessary to increase the accuracy and range of effective fire of anti-tank weapons by at least two to three times.
An increase in the range of effective fire on tanks was achieved as a result of the use of a rocket engine for an anti-tank cumulative projectile. The flight speed of such a projectile of about 100 m / s provided the highest effect of a cumulative explosion. However, for cumulative projectile the main task is to get it into the tank.
The resolution of the problem of increasing the flight range of an anti-tank projectile sharply raised the question of its accuracy. The higher the accuracy of anti-tank weapons, the less time is given to the tank to return fire. A tank has the advantage over a cannon that a direct hit by a projectile is not necessary to disable it, it is possible to suppress the calculation of the gun or disable the gun itself with fragments of a projectile that exploded near. For this, it is enough for a tank to fire 1–3 shots from a distance of about 1 km, especially since the guns of the last tanks are stabilized in two planes, which increases their accuracy when firing on the move. In this regard, the anti-tank weapon was faced with the task of hitting the tank as soon as it was detected, at the maximum range of its visibility and from the first shot, i.e., not giving it the opportunity to open effective return fire.
A fundamentally new means of increasing accuracy was the control of the flight of a projectile at a distance with the transmission of commands by wire, radio, or the use of homing heads on a tank. An anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) was created.
As a result of the use of a telecontrol system, the probability of shells hitting a moving tank has increased significantly. There was a possibility of hitting from the first or second shot.
Thus, as a result of the application and combination of three scientific and technological achievements: a shaped charge, a rocket engine and remote control, a weapon was created that pierces the armor of any tank at the maximum line-of-sight range and from the first or second shot. This is a sharp qualitative leap in the development of anti-tank weapons (Fig. 17).
Rice. 17. The growth of the armor-piercing ability of anti-tank weapons.
AT last years shells with plastic explosives appeared (Fig. 18). In some tanks of the NATO armies (“leopard”), there are shells with plastic explosives in the ammunition load.
Rice. eighteen. The action of anti-tank shells on armor.
Unlike all anti-tank armor-piercing shells - armor-piercing, sub-caliber and cumulative, which are designed to penetrate tank armor, shells with plastic explosives operate on a different principle. When a projectile with plastic explosives hits the tank's armor, it flattens out, and a significant part of the explosives, as it were, spreads out along the plane of the armor and explodes. At the moment of explosion, its forces are directed perpendicular to the plane of the explosive. Since the area of contact of the plastic explosive with the armor is quite significant, the total force of the dynamic impact from the explosion is very large. True, the specific pressure on the armor is less than when hit by armor-piercing projectiles, and therefore thick armor does not penetrate.
But the sum of the explosion forces of a plastic explosive projectile, upon impact over a large area, causes the armor to vibrate and so dynamically that a powerful shock wave is formed from this inside the tank, which, reflected from the internal walls of the tank, instantly increases the air pressure, which has a detrimental effect on a person.
At the same time, during the explosion of a plastic explosive on a monolithic armor, a lot of fragments break off from the inside of the armor, which also affect the crew and equipment.
For tanks with monolithic armor, shells with plastic explosives pose a serious danger. If the tank does not have monolithic, but layered armor, then depending on the quality of the intermediate layer, i.e. its ability to transmit or absorb shock, the effect of dynamic vibration can be reduced to varying degrees.
Abroad, by now, the arsenal of special anti-tank weapons has changed qualitatively. A significant place in it is occupied by ATGMs. Along with them, the troops are armed with: anti-tank artillery, tanks - tank destroyers, as well as infantry anti-tank weapons. A special place is occupied by engineering anti-tank weapons.
Anti-tank guided missiles
Currently in Soviet army and the armies of other states have very effective ATGMs of various designs.
According to the foreign press, ATGMs are divided by weight into three categories: light (up to 15 kg); medium (15–30 kg); heavy - more than 70 kg (up to 140 kg).
Such a conditional division by weight rather reflects not the qualitative characteristics of the ATGM itself, but the ability of the science and industry of a particular country to create a guided projectile with high armor-piercing ability and a long firing range in minimum dimensions and weight (Table 8).
From Table. 8 shows that a number of ATGMs, having approximately the same ranges flight, projectile power, accuracy and other characteristics belong to different weight categories.
There is a general desire to make ATGMs with high combat characteristics in minimum weight and dimensions (Fig. 19).
Rice. 19. Various samples of ATGM.
It would seem that the creation and adoption of ATGMs completely solves the problem of combating tanks. The huge speed of the cumulative projectile streak (5000-16000 m/s) ensures that virtually any armored target on the battlefield can be penetrated at any angle of encounter.
Perhaps ATGMs are that perfect weapon that will make tanks die, just like a machine gun, artillery and aviation "removed" the cavalry from service? Such a formulation of the question would be justified if the ATGMs did not have their inherent shortcomings, and the tanks would not be reinforced by infantry, artillery, aviation and nuclear weapons.
The tank remains today a powerful and formidable offensive weapon, because the anti-tank defense as a whole in the chosen direction can either be destroyed or reliably suppressed, and favorable conditions can be created for a successful offensive by tank troops. In addition, the tank itself is armed with ATGMs.
One of the important aspects of the art of warfare lies in creating the superiority of one's troops over the enemy in chosen directions. By the way, it should be noted that this principle applies both to the art of attack and to the art of defense. The whole question is - who wins? Otherwise, it would be possible to unilaterally decide the fate of wars with some one "absolute weapon".
So, abandoning the idea that ATGMs can be that perfect weapon that sweeps tanks from the battlefield, the press indicated what the strengths and weaknesses of ATGMs are in relation to tanks and in comparison with other anti-tank weapons.
The modern ATGM surpasses its antipode - a cannon tank and an anti-tank gun in terms of armor-piercing ability and range of destruction by about two times.
Official representatives of the US Army command assess the state of ATGM guidance systems as unsatisfactory.
The ATGMs adopted for service are controlled in flight by wires by the operator, on which the accuracy of the projectile hit depends. When aiming a projectile at a target, the operator monitors the tank and the projectile and continuously "leads" the projectile. Command transmission controls are very sensitive to the operator's hand. The slightest trembling of the hand is transmitted to the projectile in the form of an order "left", "right", "up", "down". This puts the effectiveness of shooting in complete dependence on the operator. However, the operator is exposed on the battlefield to the influence of the enemy. Consequently, the weakness of modern ATGMs is that their accuracy largely depends on the morale and combat qualities of the gunner. Therefore, it is not surprising that the bosses of the aggressive NATO bloc are the imperialists of the USA and the FRG, despite the fact that ATGMs - formidable weapon, cannot use all its capabilities and are forced to look for other ways that would to a greater extent exclude the role and influence of the morale of a human soldier on the outcome of a battle against tanks.
The control of shells like "Shillela" is quite complicated. The probability of occurrence of faults in it is high, which reduces the reliability of the entire system.
ATGMs in service have a low flight speed (85-150 meters per second), which leads to a long flight time of the projectile. When firing at 2000 m, the operator needs 13-24 seconds to destroy one tank with continuous tracking of the tank and ATGM and control of the latter. By the way, these 13-24 seconds of intense attention of the operator is the time when his moral and combat qualities are fully manifested. The low flight speed is also the reason for the low rate of fire of ATGMs - 1–3 rounds per minute.
The disadvantages of ATGMs that affect their combat use include the presence of a "dead" zone - an uncontrolled flight at the beginning of the trajectory - with a depth of 300-500 m, which excludes the possibility of hitting tanks at this distance. Consequently, the sudden appearance of tanks at a distance of 500-700 m will not always allow the operator to accurately aim the projectile at the target.
ATGM firing requires continuous visual observation of the projectile and tank by the operator throughout the entire flight segment, so the success of its implementation largely depends on the nature of the terrain. In addition, conditions of limited visibility arise - night, fog, snowfall, smoke, dust, which, even with the use of night vision devices, do not always allow the use of ATGMs for their entire possible flight range.
Finally, the disadvantages of the ATGM include the features of its warhead - a shaped charge and a piezoelectric or other highly sensitive instantaneous fuse. The high sensitivity of the fuse leads to the fact that, having touched a branch, branch, net in flight, the projectile explodes without reaching the target. This is the basis for the protection of tanks with mesh umbrellas pushed forward. Tanks at the time of the attack use a maneuver through bushes or woodlands, which also protects them from ATGMs.
To protect against a cumulative explosion of shells, a bulwark was made on tanks in the last war. Now, according to the foreign press, puff armor is being created, the gap between the sheets of which can be filled with water, sand, refractory materials that prevent the action of the cumulative explosion jet.
From the above assessment of the US Army command of the design and combat features of the ATGM, a conclusion is made about the strong and weaknesses of this new anti-tank weapon and determines its place in the arsenal of anti-tank weapons. ATGM is the most powerful anti-tank weapon at extreme and medium ranges (over 1000-1500 m), in open areas, under favorable observation conditions. Therefore, ATGMs cannot replace all anti-tank weapons, but, on the contrary, require such additional anti-tank weapons that would instantly hit tanks at medium and short ranges and fire at close range, on rough terrain and under adverse visibility conditions.
Such means are modern anti-tank guns (self-propelled, assault, self-propelled), tanks, grenade launchers.
It is believed that only a reasonable combination of ATGMs, tanks, guns and grenade launchers can create a continuous zone (continuous in range) of effective anti-tank fire, starting from extreme ranges and up to point-blank dagger fire.
In many countries, work is underway to improve the ATGM. So, for example, in recent years, hard work has been carried out in France, the USA, England and other countries on the combination in one machine positive properties ATGM, guns and tanks.
In order to reduce the influence of a human operator on the flight of a projectile, a mixed ATGM trajectory control system is being tested in a number of samples. Its essence lies in the fact that when tracking the flight of a rocket (Milan, SS-11B1, Hot, Tou), an infrared device is used that transmits the appropriate signals to an electronic computing device that generates commands to keep the rocket on lines of sight. Control commands to the rocket are transmitted automatically without the participation of the operator via a wire connecting it to a computing device. The operator should only keep the tank out of sight of the sight. Since the operator monitors only the tank (and not the ATGM and the tank at the same time) and does not transmit commands by hand, as in the first generation projectiles, the operator’s reaction will have a slightly lesser effect on the accuracy of firing such a projectile than when firing ATGMs of the first samples.
Some ATGMs provide for the installation of automatic homing systems on the tank, based on the principle of target selection (selection) using infrared rays. When the ATGM approaches the target, the infrared homing system will turn on and the transmission of commands over the wires will automatically stop. Thus, when the projectile approaches the tank, the operator's influence on the projectile will be cancelled.
In the ATGM "Shillela" and "Akcra" it is planned to launch them from the gun barrel. Guidance in flight at the target will be carried out not by the operator, but by a semi-automatic control system with the transmission of commands using infrared equipment. The Schillela projectile will have an average speed of 220 m/s, the Accra projectile up to 600 m/sec, which will reduce the flight time to 9 (Shillela) and 5-6 seconds (Accra).
Searches are underway to reduce the "dead" (non-destructive) zone to 75-100 m, which will dramatically increase the effectiveness of ATGM fire at short ranges.
In the latest ATGMs, by improving the control system and increasing the speed of the projectile, they seek to achieve a higher guaranteed accuracy, a higher rate of fire, and reduce the negative impact of the operator's condition on accuracy during the ATGM flight.
The power of the ATGM can be increased as a result of the use nuclear charge super low power. Such options are being designed in the French ATGM "SS-12" and in the American "Shillela". Nuclear ATGM will become a means of destroying not single tanks, but entire groups up to a platoon. In this regard, the requirement for accuracy may be reduced. An error of several meters will not be of practical importance, as it will be blocked by the radius of destruction. However, nuclear explosion will defeat not only tanks, but also the armored personnel carriers accompanying them with infantry and other fire weapons.
In order to expand the possibility of maneuver and increase the practical range of direct visibility, ATGMs are installed on helicopters and aircraft. In the armies of France and the United States, a number of helicopters and aircraft are armed with 6–9 ATGMs each.
Anti-tank guns
Among modern anti-tank guns, the first place is occupied by Soviet guns. They proved themselves excellently in battles with Nazi tanks. After the war anti-tank gun received a powerful cumulative projectile. The accuracy of the anti-tank gun ensures reliable destruction of tanks on the move at long ranges.
One of the most modern anti-tank guns of the capitalist armies is a 106-mm recoilless rifle (USA) with a feathered non-rotating HEAT projectile capable of penetrating armor 400–450 mm thick.
The English 120 mm Wombat recoilless gun has an armor penetration capacity of about 400 mm.
In 1963, in Germany, a 90-mm self-propelled anti-tank gun "Jagdpanzer" was created on the chassis of a tank in an armored hull (Fig. 20).
Rice. twenty. Self-propelled 90 mm anti-tank gun (FRG).
In recent years, attempts have been made to replace cannons with recoilless rifles with HEAT rounds. But at the same time, measures are being taken to create gun systems - tank destroyers ("Scorpion" - USA and "Jagdpanzer" - Germany) with initial speeds shells about 1800 m / s. Both trends are developing in parallel (Table 9).
Everything will depend on the tank. If he cannot defend himself against a cumulative explosion, light, recoilless systems with a cumulative projectile will triumph. If the tank finds protection against a cumulative projectile, then the advantage will be on the side of gun systems with high initial speeds.
Infantry anti-tank weapons
In addition to light ATGMs, infantry and motorized infantry units are armed with massive anti-tank weapons. It includes hand-held light and easel (heavy) anti-tank grenade launchers, anti-tank rifles, anti-tank rifle grenades, and, in addition, a hand-held anti-tank grenade (Table 10).
Soviet hand-held anti-tank grenade launchers are very light and easy to handle. They ensure the defeat of any modern tank foreign armies when directly repelling their attacks. Armor-piercing ability, range and accuracy of a hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher exceeds the best foreign designs(Fig. 21).
Among the special engineering facilities anti-tank mines take the leading place. The most widespread are anti-track and anti-clearance mines.
Anti-tank mines are loaded with several kilograms of explosive material in a metal, wooden or plastic case with a pressure fuse.
Unlike an anti-track mine, which explodes under the pressure of a tank caterpillar, anti-clearance mines have a pin that bends under the pressure of the tank hull and explodes the mine.
In addition, there are other mines: with a shaped charge, magnetic, attracted to the bottom of the tank (Table 11).
HEAT mines are the most effective, as they hit any part of the tank and pierce its armor, destroy its crew, and also undermine ammunition. The creation of anti-bottom mines with a shaped charge made it possible to reduce the density of mining by two to three times compared to anti-track mines, and, consequently, to reduce the time for mining the area.
Mines are being laid large groups- fields. Minefields can be unmanaged and managed.
There are special minelayers that quickly lay mines on the field. The role of mine spreaders can be performed by special armored personnel carriers. Minefields are laid by spreaders, they are quickly, easily camouflaged and have the ability not only to hamper and slow down the maneuver and movement of tanks, but also to defeat them.
AT recent times in Germany great attention is given to the creation of nuclear land mines, especially in wooded, mountainous and built-up areas. Mines and land mines in modern conditions must be highly resistant to the shock wave of nuclear explosions.
In addition to minefields, ditches, scarps, counterscarps, and traps are created against tanks; wooden and metal gouges, hedgehogs, blockages, notches, barriers, slingshots; water, snow and ice ramparts.
During the years of the Great Patriotic War dogs were also used - tank destroyers. The dog usually attacked the tank from a distance of 150–200 m. When the dog was thrown under the tank in the forehead or at an angle of 45 °, the explosive charge lever caught on the bottom of the tank and caused the fuse to go off. So, on section 160 rifle division in the Glukhov region, five enemy tanks were destroyed by six dogs.
Near Stalingrad, in the area of the airfield, a platoon of fighter dogs destroyed 13 tanks. Near Kursk, in the zone of the 6th Guards Army, sixteen dogs blew up 12 tanks that broke through into the depths of our defense in the Tamarovka, Bykovo, high. 244.5.
It will not be a secret to anyone that many instances, models, systems of the domestic, or rather, even the Soviet defense industry, were rightfully considered best weapon in the world. This applies not only small arms(Kalashnikov assault rifles, Mosin rifles and others), but also armored vehicles and even missile systems. Russian, "Bassoons" and are used by well-deserved success in the armed forces of many countries of the world.
At the same time, it must be said that Western arms manufacturers can also surprise with their developments, which are in no way inferior, and in some cases may even outpace domestic weapons in terms of their tactical and technical characteristics.
Today's realities are such that thanks to rapid growth the defense industry of China, the active actions of the West, many states refuse to cooperate with Russia, including for purely political reasons. Therefore promotion Russian weapons and armored vehicles are not going as we would like. That is why potential buyers focus on Western-made weapons. Therefore, further we will give examples of the main competitors of domestic anti-tank systems, which we mentioned in.
Thus, the most massive Western development is BGM-71TOW- universal ATGM, which can be mounted both on the chassis of tracked or wheeled vehicles, and installed in a stationary position. The complex was put into service in 1970. It uses semi-automatic, command missile guidance, which is carried out by the operator. BGM-71 TOW is one of the most common ATGMs in the world. In addition to American troops, it is in service with a number of European armies and Israel.
This complex has a large number of modifications: BGM-71B, BGM-71C Improved TOW, BGM-71D TOW-2, BGM-71E TOW-2A, BGM-71F TOW-2B, TOW-2N, BGM-71G, BGM-71H, TOW, TOW-2B Aero, TOW-2B Aero, MAPATS.
To a certain extent, the American complex is similar to domestic ones (semi-automatic command control), but it is much more expensive not only in operation, but also directly in production. The average cost of BGM-71 TOW reaches 60 thousand dollars, which is a significant amount even for non-poor countries.
It is known that these American complexes were used in the Vietnam War of 1957-1975, the Iran-Iraq military conflict of 1980-1988, the Lebanese war of 1982, during the Persian Gulf War in 1990-1991, as well as in during the UN peacekeeping operation in Somalia in 1992-1995, in the Iraqi war of 2003-2010.
In total, more than 700,000 missiles were produced; in the period 1999-2007 alone, more than a thousand anti-tank guided missiles were exported.
Also currently in the US Army, one of the most common armor-piercing systems is ATGM FGM-148 Javelin, which was adopted in 1996. This complex is designed to destroy not only armored vehicles, but also protected objects, in particular, bunkers and pillboxes, as well as low-flying low-speed targets (drones, helicopters). This is the first production complex of the third generation with an infrared guidance system that provides work on the principle of "fire and forget".
The caliber of the rocket of the complex is 127 mm, its length reaches almost 1.1 m, and its weight is 11.8 kg. The total weight of the complex is 22.25 kg. The complex can shoot at a distance of 50 m to 2.5 km with a maximum rocket speed of 290 meters per second. The missile provides armor penetration of 70 cm.
Initially, the complex was developed to replace the M47 Dragon anti-tank missiles, which were in service with the US Army until 1975. It is known that the total cost of the program for the development and production of the complex amounted to 5 billion dollars, and the cost of one of its units is close to 100 thousand dollars, which makes the FGM-148 Javelin the most expensive ATGM in the history of the existence of such weapons.
The FGM-148 Javelin missile is made according to the traditional aerodynamic scheme with drop-down wings and is equipped with an infrared homing head and a tandem warhead. She can attack the target both directly and from above, which makes it possible to hit everything modern views tanks. And due to the “soft trigger” system, shooting from an enclosed space is possible.
Guidance of ammunition is possible in difficult meteorological conditions, at any time of the day and in conditions of increased smoke. At the same time, it is impossible to counteract the rocket with the help of simple means optoelectronic suppression, since the guidance system does not receive a modulated signal.
Due to the relatively low weight, the complex can be moved over relatively long distances, but at the same time, its dimensions do not allow moving in the forest or bush. After the complex is brought into working condition, the shot must be fired within a few minutes, since the product becomes used up regardless of whether the shot was fired.
Another American-made anti-tank missile system - FGM-172SRAW/Predator. It is designed to destroy battle tanks, lightly armored vehicles, as well as long-term defensive structures at a distance of up to 600 m.
The caliber of the rocket reaches 141.5 mm. The total weight of the complex is 9 kg, while the mass of the rocket reaches just over 3 kg.
This complex is relatively inexpensive and light weapon single use with a simplified guidance system. The rocket is launched by one person from the "shoulder" position. Like the FGM-148 Javelin, it features a "soft" trigger with low smoke, infrared and sound levels, making it suitable for indoor use.
The FGM-172 SRAW consists of a transport and launch container, a rocket, an optical sight and a launch mechanism. It was developed to replace the M-136 and M-72 LAW anti-tank grenade launchers, which are in service with the US Marines. It was assumed that this complex will complement the FGM-148 Javelin.
In Europe, in the mid-70s of the last century, Great Britain, France and the Federal Republic of Germany began joint efforts to create a third-generation anti-tank missile system with an infrared guidance system. The result of their work was the emergence of a portable anti-tank missile system TRIGAT MR, the purpose of which was to destroy armored targets at a distance of up to 2.2 km.
The launcher is equipped with a thermal imaging sight, a launcher, and a power source. The missile is controlled by a coded laser beam. The only action the launcher operator performs while firing is to hold the crosshairs on the target. The operator can also change the target for the missile while it is in flight.
The weight of the launcher of this complex is 17 kg, the mass of the rocket is 15 kg with a length of 1045 cm and a diameter of 15.2 cm. The weight of the warhead reaches 5 kg. The range of the projectile ranges from 200 m to 2.4 km, and it flies to the maximum distance in 12 s.
The unit can be used in the temperature range from -46 to +63 degrees Celsius.
Later, the development of the complex in a helicopter version with a long-range missile (up to 5 km.) LR-TRIGAT was continued only by the Germans, who ordered 700 missiles of such power from the European concern MBDA to arm Tiger helicopters, but the rest of the customers of these machines refused missiles.
It should also be noted that the MBDA concern continues to work on the production of a very popular ATGM MILAN second generation. This is a joint Franco-German anti-tank man-portable missile system, which was put into service in 1972, gaining wide popularity in the world.
The complex includes a launcher (consists of an electronic unit, a sight, a power source and a control panel) and a launch container with a rocket. The total weight of the complex is 37.2 kg, the mass of the rocket reaches 6.73 kg, its length is 769 mm, and the wingspan is 26 cm. The rocket starts at a speed of 75 m/s, accelerating to a maximum of 200 m/s. The flight range ranges from 25 m to 3 km, while armor penetration reaches 80 cm.
The complex has a number of modifications: Milan 2, Milan 2T, Milan 3, Milan ER. MILAN used the troops of the anti-Iraqi coalition during Operation Desert Storm, but the missiles of the complex were unable to penetrate the armor of the Iraqi T-55 tanks.
Currently, the complex is in service with 44 countries of the world, including Great Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Armenia, Belgium, Syria, Libya and India.
The French army today uses light portable ATGM Eryx. It's a complex short range, the main purpose of which is to destroy tanks, fortifications and engineering structures, surface targets. It is possible to launch a rocket not only in a tripod machine, but also from a “shoulder” position. The complex is equipped with a semi-automatic command guidance system.
The total weight of the complex with a tripod reaches 15.8 kg, the mass of the rocket is 10.2 kg. The rocket is 89.1 cm long and 13.6 cm in diameter. The rocket launches at a speed of 18 m/s and reaches a maximum speed of 245 m/s. The firing range ranges from 50 to 600 m, armor-piercing - 90 cm.
Currently, the complex is in service with the armies of Brazil, Canada, Norway, Turkey, Malaysia, France and Chad.
Another light short-range anti-tank missile system is produced by the Swedish company Saab Bofors Dynamics. It - RB-57NLAW with an inertial guidance system. This is a new generation complex, which is designed to destroy tanks and armored vehicles equipped with dynamic protection at short range. It only needs one person to operate it. The total weight of the complex is 12 kg, the range of the missile ranges from 20 to 600 m, the complex is brought from marching to combat position in 5 seconds.
The defeat can be carried out not only frontally, but also from above. It is possible to start from enclosed spaces.
Another portable anti-tank missile system is being produced in Sweden, which at one time became the first ATGM capable of hitting targets from above. it RBS-56 BILL. Its main purpose is to defeat battle tanks, infantry armored vehicles, self-propelled artillery mounts and other armored vehicles, as well as fortifications at a distance of 150 m to 2.2 km.
The striking properties of the rocket were improved by increasing the weight of the shaped charge and its diameter, as well as by an unusual design and circuit design. The direction of the cumulative jet of the warhead is deviated from the longitudinal axis of the missile by 30 degrees, and the flight path of the missile passes 1 m above the guidance line, which makes it possible to avoid obstacles on the ground and hit the target from above.
The complex consists of a launcher on a tripod, adjustable in height, a rocket in a launch container, and a sight. Three people are needed to service it - the commander, operator and loader. It takes 10-15 seconds to deploy a complex of their marching state into combat. It is possible to fire from the position of "standing", "lying", "sitting", "from the knee".
Worthy competition American manufacturers transportable and portable anti-tank missile systems are also Israeli specialists. The most successful man-portable missile system is the family spike. These are multifunctional anti-tank missile systems designed to destroy tanks, fortifications and engineering structures, as well as surface targets.
The complexes of this series have a firing range from 400 m to 8 km (Spike-ER), the weight of the rocket is 9 kg, the diameter is 17 cm. The tandem cumulative warhead weighs 3 kg. The rocket can reach speeds of the order of 130-180 m/s.
The Spike complex has a number of modifications: Mini-Spike, Spike-SR, Spike-MR, Spike-LR, Spike-ER. Separately, it is necessary to highlight the Spike NLOS variant, which uses an anti-tank missile with optoelectronic guidance and a range of up to 25 km. The weight of the complex is 71 kg.
All versions of the Spike complex have an infrared guidance system, which in some models is supplemented by a fiber-optic cable control system. Due to this, in terms of its technical characteristics, the Israeli complex is largely ahead of the American Javelin.
Currently, the complex is in service with many countries of the world, in particular, France, Germany, Israel, Azerbaijan, Colombia, Chile, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Peru, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Ecuador, Finland, Romania.
Another Israeli anti-tank missile system, which is in service with the Israeli armed forces, and is also exported - MAPATS, which was developed on the basis of the American TOW complex.
This complex was developed in the early 80s. The developers were faced with the task of creating a laser-guided anti-tank missile system for the Israeli army in order to expand the capabilities of ATGMs that were guided by wires.
The weight of the rocket in the container is 29 kg, the launch weight of the charge is 18.5 kg, the mass of the warhead reaches 3.6 kg. The rocket has a length of 145 cm. The total weight of the complex is 66 kg. The missile can fly up to 5 km from maximum speed 315 m/s. In this case, the armor-piercing is 80 cm.
China also has its own production of ATGMs. True, by and large, many Chinese complexes are copies of Soviet technology. So, the main anti-tank missile system in the Chinese army remains a modernized copy of the Soviet complex "Malyutka". It's about about ATGM HJ-73 equipped with a semi-automatic guidance system. This complex belongs to the first generation of ATGMs, which were adopted by the Chinese army in 1979. It is used as a portable complex, and is also installed on infantry fighting vehicles, light vehicle chassis.
Over several decades, the HJ-73 has been repeatedly upgraded in order to increase combat effectiveness and armor-piercing. The complex includes a controlled solid rocket, launcher, control equipment.
There are the following modifications of the complex: HJ-73B, HJ-73C. However, despite the modernization, in general, the HJ-73 retained the shortcomings characteristic of its prototype: a low level of combat readiness, a low missile flight speed.
The missile can cover distances from 500 m to 3 km at a speed of 120 m/s. The weight of the rocket reaches 11.3 kg, length - 86.8 cm, diameter - 12 cm. Armor-piercing with such parameters is 50 cm. The weight of the launcher is 32 kg. It takes almost 2 minutes to transfer from marching to combat position.
To replace the HJ-73 was developed ATGM second generation HJ-8, which is a copy of the American TOW. The development of the complex began in 1970, and only 14 years later it was tested and was delivered to the troops. In the Chinese army, it is used as a portable-wearable complex, and is also placed on infantry fighting vehicles, helicopters and light vehicle chassis.
The complex includes a guided solid-propellant rocket, a launcher, an optical sight, an infrared radiation receiver, as well as a calculating device and auxiliary equipment for maintaining the control system and checking the health of the rocket.
HJ-8 has been repeatedly upgraded to improve performance characteristics and, consequently, an increase in accuracy and armor-piercing. Thus, the HJ-8A, HJ-8C, HJ-8E variants appeared. Separately, it is necessary to note the newest modification of the complex - HJ-8L, which has the highest parameters of combat effectiveness and armor-piercing up to 1 m. New complex equipped with a lightweight launcher with a periscope sight.
The complex in various modifications was exported to United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Thailand and countries of the African continent.
In parallel with the modernization of the Chinese complex HJ-8 in Pakistan, its analogue was improved (actually a copy) Baktar Shikan. Some changes were made to it compared to the original: a thermal imaging sight was installed, the equipment for checking the operability of the complex was improved, its weight was reduced, warhead- tandem cumulative.
The maximum range of the missile is 3 km. Baktar Shikan is equipped with control equipment that allows you to automatically follow the missile along the line of sight of the target. For carrying, the complex is disassembled into 4 parts (sighting unit - 12.5 kg, control system unit - 24 kg, launcher - 23 kg, rocket and container).
The complex can be placed on a cross-country vehicle chassis, it can be transported using helicopters and transport aircraft.
American TOW complexes are also very successfully copied in Iran. It comes from a series of complexes Toophan(Toophan-1 and Toophan-2) with wire and laser control, cumulative and tandem-cumulative warhead. The missile systems are 15.2 cm in diameter and 1.16 m long. The projectile weighs 20 kg. The missile is capable of covering a distance of up to 3.5 km during the day and 2.5 km at night at a speed of up to 310 m/s. At the same time, its armor-piercing is 55-76 cm.
Iran made a copy of another American anti-tank missile system Dragon (Saeghe). The M47 Dragon\Saeghe was bought from America in 1970 and used during the Iran-Iraq War. The complex is equipped with a semi-automatic missile control system, a cumulative warhead. The missile can cover a distance of 65 m to 1 km, while its armor-piercing is 50 cm.
The creation of the Iranian version of the complex is an attempt to create a light portable anti-tank system, which requires only one operator to operate, and which can be brought into combat condition as quickly as possible. At the same time, the rocket of the complex has a short flight range and difficulties in controlling the projectile after launch. That is why at present this ATGM is in service only with individual Iranian special forces.
In Iran, they make copies of the Soviet complex "Malyutka" - ATGM Raad(with manual missile control system, HEAT warhead, armor-piercing 40 cm, firing range from 400 m to 3 km). In addition, there is an Iranian version Russian ATGM"Competition-M" - Tosan. At the moment, this particular complex is the most common anti-tank missile system along with the American TOW and Iranian Toophan.
Tosan is equipped with a semi-automatic missile control system, the warhead is tandem-cumulative, its weight is 3.2 kg. The caliber of the rocket is 135 mm. According to various sources, the missile's armor-piercing capacity is 67-80 cm. The missile can cover distances from 70 m to 4 km during the day and up to 2.5 km at night using a thermal imaging sight.
There is a theoretically powerful ATGM in India. it anti-tank missile system of the third generation Nag with infrared guidance system. It was created in 1990 to deal with existing and promising tanks and armored vehicles. Able to operate at a distance of up to 6 km. The launcher has an aiming system, hydraulic guidance drives.
The complex is located on the chassis of the Russian BIP-1 and is equipped with a tandem-cumulative warhead, active radar or thermal imaging guidance head. It is possible to place additional missiles inside the armored hull.
Thus, it is quite obvious that arms manufacturers and military equipment there is enough in the world, and if someone does not want or cannot work with Russia, then the same ATGMs can be purchased in America, Europe or in China, Iran, etc.
Modern models of weapons, created on the basis of the latest achievements of science and technology, have high rates of combat and operational and technical properties. But no matter how perfect the weapon, no matter how high combat properties it possesses, the result of its use is always determined by a person. That is why the constant concern of weapons developers is not only the creation of promising weapons, but also new training tools.
Some new models of Russian grenade launchers and shooting training aids were first presented in 2008 at the annual meeting of the leadership of the combat training departments of the types and branches of the armed forces, military districts and fleets of the Russian Armed Forces.
Promising grenade launchers
At the presentation held by the specialists of FSUE “GNPP “Basalt” in training center in the village Alabino presented modern samples and the latest developments of this enterprise in the field of grenade launchers.
First of all, this is the RPG-32 multi-purpose multi-caliber grenade launcher system. Its feature is that the reusable launcher with an automated sight has a small weight (3 kg) and dimensions (length 360 mm). Before firing, depending on the task being performed, a container with the selected type of shot of 72 or 105 mm caliber with a grenade in cumulative or thermobaric fragmentation-armor-piercing equipment is docked to it. The total mass of the grenade launcher system, depending on the type of shot chosen, is 6–10 kg, and its length is 900–1200 mm. Such a constructive solution provides a rational combination of the total combat load of the grenade launcher and man-portable ammunition with the tasks to be solved and the types of targets to be hit.
The new grenade launcher has significant capabilities. Aimed firing range - 700 m. The damaging effect of a 105-mm cumulative grenade, penetrating at least 650-mm homogeneous armor (after overcoming dynamic protection), ensures the effective defeat of the latest and promising tanks. 72-mm rounds with cumulative grenades ensure the defeat of all medium and lightly protected armored vehicles. Shots of both calibers with thermobaric equipment for the head of the grenade make it possible to effectively deal with lightly armored and unarmored vehicles, with sheltered and openly located enemy manpower, as well as hit various fortifications and concrete shelters.
The RPG-32 grenade launcher has high ergonomics, which ensures its ease of use from various positions, the speed and accuracy of aiming the weapon at the target, and ease of loading. In the stowed position, the aiming device and the elements of the electric firing mechanism are placed in the starting device. It is possible to equip the grenade launcher with a night sight.
According to experts, the RPG-32 is today the most advanced grenade launcher system in the world and has best performance combat and operational properties.
Another novelty demonstrated during the presentation was an upgraded version of the famous RPG-29 Vampire grenade launcher system (). The new modification of the RPG-29 is mounted on a tripod mount with guidance mechanisms and is equipped with an automated fire control system with day and night sights and a laser rangefinder that automatically takes into account the firing conditions. Just like when firing from the RPG-29, the new modification uses shots with a tandem and thermobaric fragmentation-armor-piercing warhead. The grenade launcher system ensures effective destruction of various (including heavily armored) targets at a distance of up to 700 m.
In the class of disposable grenade launchers, both the RPG-26 and RPG-27 reactive anti-tank grenades and the RSHG-1 and RSHG-2 reactive assault grenades created on their basis, as well as new items RPG-28 and RPG-30, were presented.
New Learning Opportunities
The effectiveness of even the most modern weapons depends entirely on the level of training of the human operator of the combat weapon and its commanders. To this end, combat and psychological training is being carried out in all armies of the world. Its effectiveness largely depends on the teaching aids used.
Today, it is customary to refer to the means of learning a wide arsenal of a wide variety of devices that have. The creation of new teaching aids with high didactic capabilities has long been a subject of special attention and an integral part of the work of the creators of new weapons and military equipment. Training facilities are designed to facilitate and accelerate the development of weapons, their combat use and operation. They, at the stage of initial training, can significantly reduce the use of expensive weapons and ammunition.
A complex of such training aids for firing from anti-tank grenade launchers was also created in Russia. These include devices for training and imitation shooting, electronic simulators, laser shooting and defeat simulators.
The conditions for the combat use of hand-held anti-tank grenade launchers and their capabilities determine the need for firing at a short range of the order of 50-300 m, that is, when the enemy can have a real and significant fire effect on the grenade launcher. In other words, all the activities of grenade launchers take place under conditions of combat stress. In addition, the loud sound of the shot, the gas jet or the anti-mass material behind the grenade launcher also creates certain dangerous effects on the shooter and bystanders when fired. That is why the high efficiency of the use of rocket-propelled grenade launchers is ensured by the high level of comprehensive training of shooters.
For a long time, in many armies of the world, devices with an insert barrel for firing a bullet were used to train firing from grenade launchers.
In the USSR and Russia, for these purposes, devices for target practice were used - PUS-7 (for RPG-7), PUS-9 (for SPG-9) and PUS-29 (for RPG-29). They were fired with cartridges with a tracer bullet through a special loose barrel placed in the grenade layout. The design provided the bullet with ballistics corresponding to only one firing range, and then without the possibility of taking into account characteristic features movement of a combat grenade on the trajectory. These devices made it possible, to a certain extent, to instill the necessary skills and abilities in grenade launchers. However, the lack of conjugation between the trajectories of a bullet and a combat grenade, the characteristic sound of a shot and a gas-flame jet behind a grenade launcher reduced their similarity to live firing from this type of weapon.
In addition to the PUS-type device for training in shooting, many armies of the world use shots with inert filling of the head (combat) part of the grenade. When firing with inert grenades, full conjugation of trajectories with grenades in combat equipment is ensured, the same sound level of the shot and the formation of a dangerous gas-flame jet behind the grenade launcher. In Russia, all analogues of combat grenades were created in inert equipment for grenade launchers such as RPG-7V, RPG-29, SPG-9, RPG-18, RPG-22, RPG-26 and RPG-27.
The difference between shots in inert equipment and combat ones lies in the design of the warhead. That is why their cost is slightly less than the cost of combat grenades and is only the difference in the cost of warheads. In this regard, shots in inert equipment are supposed to be used only at the final stages of training and during control checks of grenade launchers who have completed the course.
The difficult conditions for the combat use of grenade launchers in combat require the ability of the grenade launcher to correctly and quickly use his weapon to hit the chosen target. Ensuring a high probability of hitting at a range of aimed fire is possible with the obligatory consideration of all firing conditions, and first of all, crosswind and flank movement of the target, i.e. correct application of the rules of shooting. These skills develop only through regular practice.
For this purpose, an electronic simulator 9F700 was created in Russia, designed to form and improve the professional skills of shooters of armed various types grenade launchers and jet infantry flamethrowers. The simulator imitates various conditions shooting from grenade launchers and allows you to learn and train shooters in the application of the rules of shooting at various targets. In addition, it allows the head of the training to carry out an objective control of the level of training of the shooter-operator in the learning process. However, due to its features, the electronic simulator cannot completely replace the real shooting from grenade launchers.
Another new generation of training tools actively used in the combat training of troops has become laser firing and destruction simulators (LISP). Their main purpose is to improve the skills of firing from various types of weapons in the conditions of bilateral training combat and to simulate the firing of enemy fire weapons. The disadvantage of LISP, as well as electronic simulators, is that they do not reproduce the real sound of a shot and do not create a gas-flame jet behind the grenade launcher, that is, they do not provide conditions for developing real "combat reflexes".
In order to eliminate the shortcomings inherent in the listed training aids, the specialists of the main developer of grenade launchers in Russia - FSUE "GNPP" Bazalt "created fundamentally new means of imitation firing. They are called practical learning property (PUI). To date, various imitation tools have been created for all modern Russian grenade launchers.
New training aids are dimensional copies of regular disposable grenade launchers or shots for reusable grenade launchers with an insert barrel and a practical jet-powered grenade with inert warhead equipment of a smaller diameter, length and mass than live grenades. The ballistics of practical imitation grenades and the accuracy of their firing is fully consistent with combat grenades at all ranges of aimed fire. This makes it possible to conduct practice shooting using the firing rules for combat grenades in all the variety of conditions for their use.
The imitation rocket-propelled grenade has a tracer to monitor its flight and is equipped with a simulated operation on the target. The relatively high sound level of the shot and the presence of a gas-flame jet during the shot provide a high degree resemblance to shots of a combat grenade.
Assembling the shot mock-up, loading the grenade mock-up before firing, aiming and firing the shot are carried out in the same way as standard models. The design of the imitation grenade allows it to be used for firing at real tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers. PUI devices provide multiple use, their resource is at least 300 shots, while the cost of one shot is 3-4 times lower than inert.
The new training tools are designed not only for initial training, but also for improving skills and maintaining the necessary skills in firing grenade launchers, especially for learning to properly account for a variety of shooting conditions. IGUs can successfully replace shots in inert equipment and all types of bullet devices for training shooting in the system of training aids.
The presence today in the training system of grenade launchers Russian army various learning tools with new features can significantly reduce the cost and time for training, while increasing the level of their skills and abilities.
