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BULGARIAN MILITARY
Experts anticipate a significant uptick in the deployment of Russian Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopters on the Ukrainian battlefield by year-end. In response to Europe’s latest delivery of 14 Leopard 2A4 tanks to Kyiv, Russia is upping its game with more “tank killers.” Specifically, the focus is on increasing the supply of 9K121 Vikhr air-launched anti-tank missiles.
The National Interest has zeroed in on this surge in Russian missile deployment. They note that this move marks a strategic shift in the ongoing conflict. “With both sides heavily reliant on advanced anti-tank weapons and drones, Russia’s expanded use of the Whirlwind missile highlights its evolving strategy,” the outlet remarked.
According to a report by Russian state media TASS, Rostec, a military conglomerate, asserts that the Vikhr missile offers “phenomenal strike precision,” essentially guaranteeing “one missile, one target destroyed.” Produced by the Kalashnikov company, this ammunition can be launched from the Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopter, and soon, the Mi-28N helicopter will be upgraded to carry the Vikhr-1.
“These rockets are effective around the clock and in adverse weather conditions. The Vikhr’s role in the special military operation is increasing. It is used to destroy both concealed and mobile armor, as well as to target Ukrainian firing points and well-protected positions,” Rostec reported.
About 9K121 Vikhr
The Russian 9K121 Vikhr, known by NATO as the AT-16 Scallion, is an advanced anti-tank-guided missile system developed by the Soviet Union and later upgraded by Russia. It’s specifically designed to combat armored vehicles, including those with explosive reactive armor, and low-speed aerial targets like helicopters.
The 9K121 Vikhr missile system comes with some remarkable features. The missile measures about 2.75 meters in length and 0.13 meters in diameter, weighing roughly 45 kilograms. It’s capable of reaching speeds up to 610 meters per second, making it a supersonic missile. The guidance system uses laser beam riding technology, ensuring high precision and resistance to electronic countermeasures.
Powered by a solid-fuel rocket motor, the Vikhr achieves its impressive speed and range. This propulsion system is both reliable and efficient, providing the needed thrust to effectively engage targets at various distances.
Vikhr’s warheads
The Vikhr missile is often launched from Russian attack helicopters like the Ka-50 ‘Black Shark’ and Ka-52 ‘Alligator’. These helicopters feature advanced targeting systems that work hand-in-hand with the Vikhr’s guidance mechanism, ensuring precise strikes on both ground and aerial targets.
The 9K121 Vikhr missile can be equipped with various types of warheads to suit different mission needs. Its primary warhead is a tandem HEAT [High-Explosive Anti-Tank] warhead capable of penetrating modern armor, including explosive reactive armor. For unarmored targets and low-flying aircraft, the missile can also be fitted with a fragmentation warhead.
The operational range of the 9K121 Vikhr depends on the launch platform and conditions. When launched from a helicopter, it typically boasts an effective range of 8 to 10 kilometers. This extended range allows the Vikhr to strike targets from a safe distance, reducing the risk to the launch platform and enhancing mission success rates.
The proximity fuse
The proximity fuse on the Russian 9K121 Vikhr missile is an advanced electronic gadget designed to detonate the warhead when it’s near its target. This type of fuse significantly enhances the missile’s effectiveness, especially against fast-moving or dodging targets.
Here’s how it works: The proximity fuse emits a signal, usually radio waves, and measures the reflection of these waves off nearby objects. When the missile gets close enough, the reflected signal triggers the warhead’s detonation. This ensures the missile explodes at the perfect distance to cause maximum damage.
One major benefit of a proximity fuse is its ability to correct minor targeting errors. Even if the missile doesn’t strike the target dead-on, the proximity fuse ensures the warhead detonates close enough to cause serious damage. This is invaluable in combat situations where targets might be moving rapidly or taking evasive maneuvers.
Guided system and 95% accuracy
The 9K121 Vikhr missile boasts a sophisticated proximity fuse seamlessly integrated with its guidance system, which leverages both laser and inertial navigation components. This cutting-edge integration ensures the missile remains incredibly accurate while guaranteeing the warhead detonates at the most strategic moment. This synergy of advanced technologies undeniably makes the Vikhr a powerful asset in Russia’s military arsenal.
Guided by a laser beam directed at its target, the Vikhr missile employs an automatic sighting system, featuring a video monitor for daytime operations and infrared capabilities for nighttime missions. Both target tracking and missile control for the Vikhr are fully automated. Army Recognition highlights Vikhr’s impressive hit probability—up to 95% against stationary targets and about 80% against moving targets. However, it’s essential to note that the missile’s accuracy can wane over extended distances due to the dispersion of the guiding laser beam.