9K115 Metis

9K115 Metis
9K115 Metis
	9K115 Metis being operated by a Polish soldier.
Type	Anti-tank missile
Place of origin	Soviet Union
Service history
In service	1979–present
Used by	Russia
Wars	Syrian civil war ; Yemeni Civil War (2014–present) ; Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen
Production history
Manufacturer	KBP Instrument Design Bureau
Produced	1978–present
Variants	9K115-2 Metis-M
Specifications
Mass	5.5 kg (12 lb);; 6.3 kg (14 lb) (w/ container) ; 10.2 kg (launching post)
Length	740 mm (29 in)
Diameter	94 mm (4 in)
Wingspan	300 mm (12 in)
Warhead	HEAT shaped charge
Warhead weight	2.5 kg (5.5 lb)
Operational; range	40–1,000 m (130–3,280 ft)
Maximum speed	223 m/s (732 ft/s)
Guidance; system	Wire-guided SACLOS

Last updated December 23, 2024

The 9K115 Metis (NATO reporting name AT-7 Saxhorn) is a man-portable, tube launched, SACLOS wire-guided anti-tank guided missile of the Soviet Union. It is considered the Soviet counterpart to the American M47 Dragon ATGM.^[2]

Development

The missile was developed by the Tula KBP. It is very similar to the 9K111 Fagot in external appearance (having three main fins); however, the missile is much lighter—primarily because of the reduced fuel load, which reduces the maximum range to 1,000 metres (3,300 ft).

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

History

The missile was introduced into the Soviet Army in 1979 to supplement the 9K111 Fagot at company level. The system is lighter than the Fagot system, due to a less complicated tripod launcher and a lighter missile.

In Russian service, the Metis is deployed with motor rifle companies, with three launchers per company. The missile is operated by a two-man team; the gunner carries the 9P151 launching post and one missile, his assistant carries an additional three missiles. The AT-7 can be operated by one man if needed.^[2]

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

9M131 Missile $13,500
9P151 Firing post $70,000

Models

9K115 (NATO: AT-7 Saxhorn) – Entered service in 1979.
9K115-2 Metis-M (NATO: AT-13 Saxhorn-2)

Description

The missile is fired from the 9P151 launching post, which has a simple tripod for support. It can also be fired from the shoulder, but this apparently requires more skill on the part of the operator. The launching post weighs 10.2 kilograms (22 lb). The missile is launched from the tube by a booster rather than the gas generator used on the 9K111 Fagot system, despite both missiles being designed by the same design bureau. The 9S816 guidance system is powered by a thermal battery attached to the launch tube shortly before launch and the missile itself is remotely powered along the guidance wires.

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

The missile's warhead is a single HEAT shaped charge that can penetrate 460 mm of armor.^[3]

Operators

Current operators

Former operators

Bulgaria ^[7]
Chechen Republic of Ichkeria − 51 in 1992^[8]
East Germany ^[7]

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References

↑ "AT-7 Metis Saxhorn AT-13 Metis-M". fas.org. Federation of American Scientists (FAS). Archived from the original on 2016-08-28. Retrieved 2018-12-15.
1 2 "Antiarmour weapons: Subcourse Number IN0546: Edition B" (PDF). United States Army Infantry School, Fort Benning, Georgia. April 1996. Retrieved 2018-08-01.
↑ Metis ^[usurped] – Military-Today.com
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) (14 February 2018). "The Military Balance 2018". The Military Balance. 118. Routledge.
↑ "Israel Finds Large Troves of Russian Arms in Hezbollah's Hands". 19 November 2024. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
↑ International Institute for Strategic Studies (15 February 2023). The Military Balance 2023 (1st ed.). Routledge. ISBN 978-1032508955.
1 2 "Trade Register". Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Archived from the original on 2019-04-22. Retrieved 2018-08-02.
↑ German 2003, p. 58.

German, Tracey C. (2003). Russia's Chechen War. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-134-43250-9.
Hull, A.W., Markov, D.R., Zaloga, S.J. (1999). Soviet/Russian Armor and Artillery Design Practices 1945 to Present. Darlington Productions. ISBN 1-892848-01-5.

External links

AT-7 & AT-13 at FAS.org

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[1] "AT-7 Metis Saxhorn AT-13 Metis-M". fas.org. Federation of American Scientists (FAS). Archived from the original on 2016-08-28. Retrieved 2018-12-15.

[1996b-2] 1 2 "Antiarmour weapons: Subcourse Number IN0546: Edition B" (PDF). United States Army Infantry School, Fort Benning, Georgia. April 1996. Retrieved 2018-08-01.

[3] Metis ^[usurped] – Military-Today.com

[2018b-4] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) (14 February 2018). "The Military Balance 2018". The Military Balance. 118. Routledge.

[5] "Israel Finds Large Troves of Russian Arms in Hezbollah's Hands". 19 November 2024. Retrieved 19 November 2024.

[IISS2023-6] International Institute for Strategic Studies (15 February 2023). The Military Balance 2023 (1st ed.). Routledge. ISBN 978-1032508955.

[armstrade.sipri.org-7] 1 2 "Trade Register". Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Archived from the original on 2019-04-22. Retrieved 2018-08-02.

[FOOTNOTEGerman200358-8] German 2003, p. 58.

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