The 9K127 Vikhr (NATO designation: AT-16 Scallion) is a Russian laser-guided anti-tank missile system developed by the KBP Instrument Design Bureau in Tula, Russia. The Vikhr (which means “whirlwind” in Russian) was designed primarily as an air-to-ground missile, capable of engaging armored vehicles, helicopters, low-speed aircraft, and other ground targets.
1. Origins and Early Development:
The development of the 9K127 Vikhr began in the 1980s during the final years of the Cold War. The Soviet Union sought to create a next-generation anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) that could be deployed from attack helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, complementing or replacing older systems like the 9M114 Shturm (AT-6 Spiral). The Vikhr was intended to provide a more advanced system with greater range, speed, and precision.
The program was developed in response to NATO’s increasing use of more heavily armored vehicles and more advanced anti-air defense systems. The goal was to develop a high-speed missile that could overcome enemy defenses by using a supersonic velocity and a highly accurate laser beam-riding guidance system.
2. Design and Technical Characteristics:
The 9K127 Vikhr missile is unique due to its dual-purpose tandem HEAT warhead (High-Explosive Anti-Tank), designed to penetrate reactive and composite armor used by modern tanks. It has several key features:
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Laser beam-riding guidance: Unlike some other ATGMs that are wire-guided or rely on infrared homing, the Vikhr uses a laser guidance system. The operator must keep the laser designator on the target, and the missile “rides” the laser beam to its destination.
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Supersonic speed: The missile reaches speeds of up to Mach 1.5, allowing it to engage targets quickly and reducing the time during which it can be countered by enemy defenses.
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Long range: The missile has a maximum effective range of up to 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) in ideal conditions, making it one of the longest-ranged ATGMs in its class.
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Multiple engagement capabilities: In addition to tanks and armored vehicles, the Vikhr can be used against helicopters and low-speed aircraft, due to its speed and precision. It also has a secondary capability to destroy lightly armored or unarmored targets using a proximity fuse and high-explosive fragmentation effect.
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Tandem warhead: The Vikhr missile is equipped with a tandem warhead that can penetrate up to 900 mm of Rolled Homogeneous Armor (RHA) behind explosive reactive armor (ERA).
3. Deployment Platforms:
The 9K127 Vikhr missile was designed to be launched from a variety of platforms, making it versatile for different battlefield conditions. These platforms include:
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Attack helicopters: The primary platform for the Vikhr missile is the Ka-50 Black Shark and the Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopters, which were designed alongside the Vikhr system to create a high-tech air-to-ground attack capability.
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Fixed-wing aircraft: The Su-25T and Su-39 ground-attack aircraft can also be equipped with the Vikhr missile, allowing these aircraft to engage armored targets from long distances.
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Ground vehicles: Although it was primarily designed for aerial deployment, there have been some efforts to adapt the missile for ground-based platforms, including potentially mounting it on armored vehicles or static launchers.
4. Operational Use and Service History:
The Vikhr missile entered service in the late 1990s, but it faced delays due to the collapse of the Soviet Union, which affected funding and production. However, once in service, it was adopted by the Russian armed forces and used primarily by Russian attack helicopters like the Ka-50 and Ka-52, as well as by Su-25T ground attack aircraft.
The system saw some combat use, including its deployment in the Second Chechen War and the Syrian Civil War. In these conflicts, the Vikhr was used to target both armored vehicles and fortified positions.
5. Further Development and Variants:
There have been improvements and modifications to the 9K127 Vikhr system over time. One notable upgrade is the Vikhr-M, a modernized version with enhanced guidance and longer range. The Vikhr-M is capable of improved target acquisition in poor weather conditions, and its laser guidance system has been refined for better accuracy.
6. Comparison with Other Systems:
The Vikhr is often compared to other advanced ATGM systems like the American AGM-114 Hellfire and the European PARS 3 LR. While each missile has its strengths, the Vikhr stands out for its supersonic speed, long range, and dual-purpose warhead, which give it a unique niche in both anti-armor and anti-aircraft roles.
7. Export and International Interest:
Although the Vikhr system has primarily been used by Russian forces, there has been some interest from international buyers. The missile has been marketed for export, particularly to countries using Russian aircraft like the Su-25 or Ka-50/Ka-52. However, competition from other ATGM systems on the global arms market has limited its widespread adoption.
8. Future Prospects:
As military technology continues to evolve, systems like the Vikhr face new challenges. While the Vikhr remains a potent weapon system, advancements in active protection systems (APS) on modern tanks and the development of newer anti-air defenses require continuous upgrades to maintain its effectiveness. Russia is likely to keep modernizing the Vikhr system or develop successors that build upon its strengths.
In summary, the 9K127 Vikhr represents a significant leap in Soviet/Russian anti-tank missile technology, offering high speed, long range, and versatility across different types of targets. Despite delays and the challenges of the post-Soviet era, the Vikhr has established itself as a capable and formidable weapon in modern warfare.
General Information:
- NATO Reporting Name: AT-16 Scallion
- Developer: KBP Instrument Design Bureau (Tula, Russia)
- In Service: Since the 1990s
- Missile Type: Laser-guided anti-tank guided missile (ATGM), dual-purpose for anti-armor and anti-aircraft roles
Missile Characteristics:
- Missile Name: 9A4172 Vikhr
- Weight: 45 kg (99 lbs) including the launch tube
- Length: 2.75 meters (9.02 ft)
- Diameter: 130 mm (5.1 in)
- Wingspan: 0.38 meters (1.25 ft)
Performance:
- Guidance System: Laser beam-riding guidance
- Speed: Supersonic, approximately 600 meters per second (Mach 1.8)
- Maximum Range:
- Air-launched: 8-10 km (5-6.2 miles) depending on launch platform and conditions
- Ground-launched: ~4 km (2.5 miles)
- Minimum Engagement Range: 800 meters (0.5 miles)
Warhead:
- Warhead Type: Tandem HEAT (High-Explosive Anti-Tank) warhead
- Penetration Capability: Up to 900 mm of Rolled Homogeneous Armor (RHA) after Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA)
- Secondary Warhead Function: High-explosive fragmentation (used for engaging soft targets and helicopters)
Propulsion:
- Rocket Motor: Solid-fuel rocket motor
Platforms:
- Launch Platforms:
- Ka-50/Ka-52 helicopters (main launch platforms)
- Su-25T/Su-39 ground-attack aircraft
- Other potential ground-based launch systems, although primarily designed for aerial use
Additional Features:
- Target Types: Tanks, armored vehicles, fortifications, low-speed aircraft, helicopters
- Fire-and-forget capability: No, operator must keep laser on the target
- Operational Altitude: Can engage targets up to 4,000 meters (13,120 feet) above sea level
The Vikhr’s combination of speed, range, and guidance system makes it a formidable weapon for precision strikes on both armored ground targets and aerial threats like helicopters.
