9K115 Metis

The 9K115 Metis ("mongrel") (NATO reporting name AT-7 Saxhorn) is a man-portable SACLOS wire-guided anti-tank missile system of the Soviet Union.

Development

The missile was developed by the Tula KBP. It is very similar to the 9K111 Fagot in external appearance (having three main fins); however, the missile is much lighter - primarily because of the reduced fuel load, which reduces the maximum range to 1,000 metres (3,300 ft).

During the 1980s, an upgraded version of the missile was developed - the Metis-M 9M131 (sometimes labelled Metis-2). Fired from the same launcher, the new missile is much larger and heavier, with an increased range and a larger warhead. NATO labelled this missile the AT-13 Saxhorn-2.

History

The missile was introduced into the Russian army in 1979 to supplement the 9K111 Fagot at company level. The system is lighter than the Fagot system, due to a less complicated tripod launcher and a lighter missile.

In Russian service, the Metis is deployed with motor rifle companies, with three launchers per company. The missile is operated by a two-man team; the gunner carries the 9P151 launching post and one missile, his assistant carries an additional three missiles.

The export prices of the missile and firing post in 1992 were:

• 9M131 Missile $13,500
• 9P151 Firing post $70,000

Models

• 9K115 (NATO: AT-7 Saxhorn) - Entered service in 1979.
• 9K115-2 Metis-M (NATO: AT-13 Saxhorn-2)

Description

The missile is fired from the 9P151 launching post, which has a simple tripod for support. It can also be fired from the shoulder - but this apparently requires more skill on the part of the operator. The launching post weighs 10.2 kilograms (22 lb). The missile is launched from the tube by a booster rather than the gas generator used on the 9K111 Fagot system, despite both missiles being designed by the same design bureau. The 9S816 guidance system is powered by a thermal battery attached to the launch tube shortly before launch - the missile itself is remotely powered along the guidance wires.

The missile can be launched from an enclosed space, such as a building or cave, but requires at least 6 metres (20 ft) behind the launcher, and a total internal volume of at least 100 cubic metres (3,500 cu ft). The missile has a short minimum range of 40 metres (130 ft) and can engage targets moving at up to 60 kilometres per hour (37 mph).

The missile's warhead is a single HEAT shaped charge.

Operators

Map with 9K115 operators in blue and former operators in red

Croatian 9K115 Metis

Current operators

•  Bangladesh
•  Belarus
•  Hungary
•  Georgia
•  Iran
•  Moldova
•  North Korea
•  Russia
•  Ukraine
•  Syria
•  Croatia
•  Yemen(Houthis)^[3][4][5][6]

Former operators

•  Poland - Retired.

See also

• List of Russian weaponry

References

• Hull, A.W., Markov, D.R., Zaloga, S.J. (1999). Soviet/Russian Armor and Artillery Design Practices 1945 to Present. Darlington Productions. ISBN 1-892848-01-5.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to 9K115 Metis.

• AT-7 & AT-13 at FAS.org