9M117 Bastion
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The 9M117 Bastion is a Russian laser beam-riding anti-tank missile. It is used in a number of separate weapon systems including the 9K116-1 Bastion missile system (AT-10 Stabber), 9K118 Sheksna (AT-12 Swinger), Kastet and the 3UBK12 fired from the BMP-3. The 100 mm projectile entered service in 1983.
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[edit] Development
The AT-8 Songster was the first Soviet tube fired anti-tank missile to enter service, however it was only deployed in limited numbers to front line units. Development work began in the late 1970s on a third generation of guided projectiles that would use laser guidance rather than radio command links. The guidance system was developed by Igor Aristarkhov, and the missile was developed by Petr Komonov.
The Bastion was developed with the goal of enhancing the long range firepower of the older T-55 and T-62 tanks. Additionally, a program was started to develop a successor to the AT-8 for the newer tanks that mounted a 125 mm gun. Both projectiles were to use laser guidance. A cone of laser light divided into sectors was projected from the launching tank, each sector having a different frequency or modulation. The missile has a small window in the rear with a sensor to detect the modulation of the light. Using this modulation, the missile steers itself, maintaining its position in the cone.
[edit] Description
The 100 mm round resembles a normal 100 mm antitank round, and is loaded and fired in the same fashion. The round uses a reduced explosive charge to launch the projectile out of the barrel of the gun at around 400 to 500 m/s. After leaving the barrel of the gun, a small cover falls away from the window on the rear of the missile. The rocket motor ignites 1.5 seconds after firing the missile, and it burns for 6 seconds.
The missile's flight time to 4,000 meters is approximately 12 seconds, and the probability of hitting a tank sized target is reported as 80%. After 26 to 41 seconds the missile self-destructs.
[edit] Variants
Ammunition firing the 9M117 Bastion missile; average armour penetration 600mm RHAe after ERA
- 100 mm 3UBK10 (MT-12)
- 100 mm 3UBK10-1 (T-55)
- 115 mm 3UBK10-2 (T-62)
- 100 mm 3UBK10-3 (BMP-3)
Ammunition firing the 9M117M Kan Tandem HEAT missile; average armour penetration 650mm RHAe after ERA
- 100 mm 3UBK10M (MT-12)
- 100 mm 3UBK10M-1 (T-55)
- 115 mm 3UBK10M-2 (T-62)
- 100 mm 3UBK10M-3 (BMP-3)
Ammunition firing the 9M117M1 Arkan Tandem HEAT missile with extended range of 100–6,000 m; average armour penetration 750mm RHAe After ERA
- 100 mm 3UBK23 (MT-12)
- 100 mm 3UBK23-1 (T-55)
- 115 mm 3UBK23-2 (T-62); average armour penetration 850mm RHAe After ERA
- 100 mm 3UBK23-3 (BMP-3); firing Range, 100-5,500m
