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AT-5 SPANDREL Anti-Tank Guided Missile

Introduced in 1977, the SPANDREL is equivalent to the American TOW missile. The first of the second-generation Soviet ATGMs to be seen in public was the BRDM-mounted model displayed in the Red Square parade of November 1977. This model, at one time misidentified as the FAGOT (AT-4/SPIGOT) eventually was designated the AT-5/SPANDREL. The SPANDREL is similar to the SPIGOT in most respects. The SPANDREL has a maximum range of 4,000 meters and a minimum range of 100 meters. Other capabilities are essentially the same as for the AT-4/SPIGOT, except for weight, and maximum range and the time of flight which are twice that of the SPIGOT.

Unlike the SPIGOT, the SPANDREL is intended for use on vehicles. The SPANDREL was supposed to replace all vehicle-mounted SWATTER and SAGGER missiles, but with the collapse of the USSR this did not become a reality. It has also been mounted atop the turret of the BMP M1981 variant. Currently, the Russian Army employs the BRDM-2/AT-5 ATGM variant carrying either SPIGOT (normally for the AT-4 system) or longer-ranged SPANDREL missiles.

The AT-5/SPANDREL is a wire-guided, SACLOS antitank guided missile system mounted on the BRDM-2 scout vehicle. The 9P148 is a Soviet anti-tank missile carrier. Unusually, this anti-tank vehicle has no proper name and is referred to by its military index designation. It is based on a BRDM-2 armored scout car chassis and is fitted with Konkurs (Western designation AT-5 Spandrel) anti-tank guided missiles. It was a successor to the 9P122 anti-tank missile carrier, which was also based on the BRDM-2 chassis, but packed older and less capable Malyutka (AT-3 Sagger) missiles.

The 9P148 was first seen in 1977. This missile carrier was exported to a number of Soviet allies. Despite its age, the 9P148 is still used by the Russian military. It is also operational with some former Soviet republics and export operators, including Armenia, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Moldova, Romania, and Slovakia. The modification 9K111-1M "Konkurs-M" (original name - "Udar") with improved characteristics (tandem warhead ) was developed and put into service in 1991. Iran has begun mass production of the Russian 9M13 Konkurs anti-tank missile. The license to produce the Konkurs missile was sold to Iran in the mid-90s. The Konkurs ATGM was produced under license in the GDR , Iran (the so-called Towsan-1, since 2000) and India (Konkurs-M).

The 9P148 vehicle has five Konkurs missiles in a ready-to-launch position on the roof and carries 10 reload missiles internally. When not in use the whole launcher with missiles is retracted inside the hull. The launcher is reloaded under complete armor protection. The platform vehicle is a BRDM-2M/GAZ-41-08. A variety of ATGM mixes have been seen with 9P148, between AT-4 (Spigot) and AT-5-type (Spandrel) ATGMs. The primary benefit of adaptability is increased launcher load and adaptability to user countries' inventories of ATGMs. The most common ATGM is AT-5. As AT-5B is produced, it is likely to replace AT-5 in better-budgeted country inventories. Reload time for the launcher is 25 seconds.

The dimensions and shape of the launch tube are similar to those of the AT-4/SPIGOT, but the SPANDREL missile is considerably heavier. The SPANDREL launch tube has a blow-out cap at the front and is flared at the rear. Five SPANDREL missiles are carried on a traversable mount just behind the two front cupolas of the BRDM-2. A bowed hatch in the vehicle roof immediately behind the launcher is possibly used to allow the mount to be folded backwards into the hull for reloading under armor protection. An additional 10 reload missiles are estimated to be carried inside the vehicle. A rotatable optical sighting/tracking periscope, similar in appearance to the periscope on the AT-4/SPIGOT launch apparatus, is mounted atop the gunner's hatch on the right front of the vehicle roof.

The complex consists of a 9P148 combat vehicle (carrier) with a 9P135M1 type launcher (PU) mounted on it, and 9M113M guided missile ammunition. If necessary, the launcher and ammunition can be quickly removed and removed from the combat vehicle for autonomous firing. The missile control system is semi-automatic, with commands transmitted via a wired communication line. Combat crew - 2 people.

The launcher is equipped with a 9Sh119M1 sighting device and a 1PN65 or 1PN86-1 “Mulat” thermal imaging device. To control the launcher, missile and thermal imager during storage and operation, test equipment 9V812M-1, 9V811M, 9V974, integrated with the Fagot complex, is used . The missile is stored in a sealed transport and launch container (TPC) in constant combat readiness.

The 9M113M modification has a tandem warhead of two (and later three) shaped charges used in the Konkurs-M ATGM + additional shaped charge in the nose + steering gears with an oncoming air flow drive, directed through a special frontal air intake + weight increase by 2 kg. + increase in armor penetration by 2 times + guaranteed to overcome the first generation dynamic protection. The Konkurs-M Complex consist of a launcher with 1PN65 thermal sight and AT-5B/Konkurs-M missiles. Night range is 2,500m.

The Fagot (9M111, 9M111M) and Konkurs (9M113) anti-tank missiles are both used as ammunition. The operator's actions do not change when changing the type of missiles. Armored wheeled and tracked combat vehicles are also used as carriers: BMP-1 , BMP-2, BMD, BTRD, BRDM-2, MT-LB, light jeep- type vehicles, motorcycles and other carriers. The Konkurs-M complex is the basis of anti-tank defense. It is adapted for landing on parachute landing platforms. When carriers overcome water obstacles, shooting afloat is ensured.

Russian firms have developed countermeasures, such as encoded-pulse beacons for ATGMs and counter-dazzler adjustments to the 9S451M1 guidance box. Filters can be mounted in front of reticles. The 1PN66 thermal sight is available for the ATGM launcher. The acquisition range is approximately 2,500 meters. Russian KBP offers a drop-in one-man turret, called Kliver, with a stabilized 2A72 30-mm gun, a 4 Kornet ATGM launcher, thermal sights, and an improved fire control system.

By 2007 work was underway to equip 9M113 and 9M113M missiles with high-explosive and thermobaric warheads. This will expand the range of combat use of missiles, hitting firing points, engineering structures and manpower, including in shelters. This system is antiquated by modern standards, and lacks the mobility, armor protection, and effectiveness needed on the modern battlefield. The Russian Army is faced with the option of purchasing the BMP-3 mounted AT-14 Kornet system, which is a follow-on to the AT-5, or the more expensive AT-15 Khrizantema, a more powerful system capable of engaging more targets at greater ranges.