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AT-15 9M123 Khrizantema

The development of the Khrizantema (Russian for "chrysanthemum") missile system provides the Russian Army with a weapon system that will significantly upgrade its antitank capability. Even with the improved capabilities the AT-14 Kornet has over earlier systems, an ATGM with all-weather, day or night, immunity to countermeasures, and fire and forget capabilities was still highly desired. In July 1996, Russia's KBM Engineering Design Bureau revealed a dual-guidance missile system with the desired capabilities. A new long-range ATGM, the Khrizantema (9M123), capable of firing six-kilometer-range supersonic missiles, incorporating both radar and laser command guidance receivers, is in its last stage of testing. KBM expects production to begin in 1998. The key role of the Khrizantema is to destroy armored vehicles at long range. In addition, it could be used to destroy bunkers, and to engage slow- or low-flying helicopters. The Khrizantema missile system is mounted on a modified BMP-3 infantry combat vehicle chassis. The chassis is designated the 9M157-2, and has the amphibious capability of the BMP-3.

Two models of the 9M123 missile have been developed. One has a tandem high-explosive antitank (HEAT) warhead; designated the 9M123-2, it apparently can penetrate over 1000 millimeters of steel armor protected by explosive reactive armor (ERA). The second model, the 9M123-F-2, has a high explosive warhead. The maximum range of the missile is 6000 meters with a maximum speed of 400 meters per second; thus it is supersonic. The missile has two movable control surfaces at its rear, with four wrap-around wings about three-quarters of the way down its body toward the rear.

For the first time in the world, an automatic radar target detection and tracking system, with simultaneous missile control during its guidance to the target, was developed for the Khrizantema ATGM. The unique feature of the missile is that it has two modes of guidance: automatic, where it is guided by a roof-mounted radar; and by a semi-automatic laser beam rider, using the sight mounted in the front of the hull on the right side. There is no known comparable missile in the West under development or in service with a similar guidance system.

The Russian Army faced the option of purchasing the less expensive BMP-3 mounted Kornet system, which is a follow-on to the AT-5, or the more expensive Khrizantema, a more powerful system capable of engaging more targets at greater ranges, possibly employing the Kornet at regimental level and the Khrizantema at division level. Regardless of its placement in the Russian Army, many nations may find it desirable and allocate a portion of their budgets to purchase the extremely capable Khrizantema missile system.

The Russian army uses "Khrizantema" as a defensive weapon, but the combat capability of the missile system allows to provide effective protection both on the ground and in the air. It can be safely asserted that a combat vehicle is capable of destroying both tanks, armored vehicles and engineering equipment, as well as combat helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles.

The basis of "Khrizantema" is the infantry fighting vehicle BMP-3, which is equipped with a radar station in the millimeter range, which makes it possible to conduct combat operations in all weather conditions. According to the Russian army, a battery consisting of only three Khrizantema-C combat vehicles was able to repel an attack by a tank company of 14 vehicles, while destroying most of the advancing tanks.

The deployment of the anti-tank missile system, as a rule, is carried out at strategically important positions or on main roads in order to perform defensive tasks, which makes it possible to effectively defeat enemy armored vehicles, as well as to perform air defense tasks against low-altitude targets and low speed.

Khrizantema-C is equipped with 9M123 supersonic missiles. The missile has a canard configuration. The tail portion accommodates control and guidance section (incl. actuators located in front of the nozzle unit and perpendicular to the axes of nozzles). The missile guidance system includes a radio receiver and a photodetector (in C&G section) for automatic radio beam or semi-automatic laser beam riding. The guidance mode is set by voltages applied to appropriate launcher contacts.

The initial speed is 400 meters per second, and the maximum can reach Mach 1.2. According to different combat missions, different types of missiles can be used to strike the targets. The early version of the 9M123 missile has only laser guidance, but the subsequent modification - 9M123-2 - allows guidance through laser and radar channels.

This makes "Khrizantema-C" an all-season combat complex, able to function effectively even under a smoke screen created by enemy tanks. Thus, the millimeter-range radar station allows you to detect and destroy a target, even if a smoke bomb is fired from an enemy tank.

The 9M123 missile is equipped with a tandem cumulative warhead (except for the 9M123F version with a bulk detonating warhead), thanks to which it is capable of penetrating armor 1200 mm thick. This suggests that this type of missile can hit virtually any model of tank that exists in the world today. And the 9M123F missile, although it does not carry a tandem cumulative warhead, has a charge with an explosive yield of 9.24 kilograms in TNT equivalent. Such a charge mass is sufficient to cause loss of movement capabilities and even combat capability for advancing enemy tanks.

The range of missiles of the 9M123 series reaches six kilometers. On both sides of the rocket there are two nozzle blocks that ensure its rotation during flight, which increases the accuracy of the hit. Since subsequent modifications of the missile support a combined targeting mode - in a radio beam and a laser beam, "Khrizantema-S" can hit two targets at the same time.

Thus, when a cluster of targets is detected, the operator can fire a missile, picking up one target with the radar station, and then immediately launch another laser-guided missile to attack a second target. One "Khrizantema" can carry 16 missiles of the 9M123 series. Ideally, one missile can destroy one target.

The process of loading the missile system is done automatically. The combat vehicle is capable of deploying the missile launcher and the millimeter-range radar station in the conditions of sustained movement at high speed or in difficult terrain, for example, in dense undergrowth.

Combat vehicles are based on BMP-3 assemblies and units. The 9P157-2 crew includes 2 persons. The 9P157-3 crew includes 3 persons. The vehicles are of a cross-country type and can be operated under effects of mass destruction weapons. The missile load carried by 9P157-2 and 9P157-3 CV fifteen 9M123 and 9M123F antitank guided missiles in an automated stowage. The retractable launcher is automatically loaded with missiles from the automated CV stowage according to the required and selected type. Replenishment of the stowage with missiles is done either with the help of a loading mechanism or manually. The retractable CV launcher mounts two canisterized missiles. The 9P157-2 and 9P157-3 CVs are outfitted with a thermal imaging and TV control device and a radar control system (RCS).

The 9P157-4 battery commander's vehicles is also based on a BMP-3 IFV chassis and is used to command a battery of 9P157-2 and 9P157-3 CVs. The 9P157-4 crew includes 4 persons. The 9P157-4 CV is intended for terrain reconnaissance, designates targets for CVs, provides target assignment among platoons and individual CVs, kills enemy soldiers infiltrated into the battery's location. The 9V945-1 mobile test station (MTS) is intended for Maintenance No.2 of 9P157-2 (9P157-3) CVs with identification of faulty components down to a line replaceable unit (available with Group SPTA kit) without detaching cables and removing equipment from the item under check, it is also used for integrated tests of units from group SPTA kits assembled into the 1K118T TITV control device, and for measuring control equipment parameters during its adjustment and tuning after replacement of a faulty unit.

The firing rate is up to 4 msls/min. Missiles are launched in a sequence when the CV is stationary. Two missiles from the same CV launcher can be simultaneously guided to two different targets.

However, "Khrizantema-C" is not without its shortcomings. Despite the high combat power of the 9?123 rockets, launch is possible only in a fixed position or at combat speed. The combat speed of the anti-tank missile system and similar types of weapons is no more than five kilometers per hour. In addition, the millimeter range radar is susceptible to interference from trees and brush. The large number of armored and civilian vehicles on the battlefield will result in multiple targets being displayed on the radar screen, requiring the vehicle commander and operators to conduct visual reconnaissance.

From the point of view of attacking air targets, not everything is smooth either. Since the angle of elevation is only 20 degrees, if the enemy helicopter is too high, it will be impossible to destroy the target. In addition, the missiles of the 9M123 series are not intended for close-range distraction bombing, they are used only for direct hits on the target. And due to the susceptibility of the radar station to jamming, the enemy can easily avoid defeat by moving at high speed.

The Khrizantema-S was developed in 1996 to replace the Soviet-era Storm-S missile system. But the anti-tank complex entered service only in 2004. In 2016, the Russian army modernized the combat vehicle by installing a new sight with a laser rangefinder, a radar control system, a laser guidance channel, an automatic combat control system and other equipment. However, it is reported that only 50 Khrizantemas were in service with the Russian military, which is somewhat unfortunate for such a vast territory of Russia, given the rapidly changing international situation and low population density. The main reason for this fact is the very high cost of the anti-tank missile system. Therefore, the Russian army made an alternative decision - modernization of the 9?123 missiles with which the Khrizantema-S is equipped, to the modification of the 9?123?? in order to equip the Mi-28 helicopters with them.