"Cornet" - anti-tank missile system. PTRK "Cornet-EM." PTRK "Kornet-E"

Since the First World War, tanks quickly became a real headache for infantry. Initially, even if equipped with primitive armor, they did not leave any chance for the fighters. But even during the Second World War, when it seemed that regimental artillery and PTR (anti-tank rifles) appeared, the tanks still dictated their rules of engagement.

But here came 1943, marked one of those few cases when the engineers of Nazi Germany were able to create not only an effective but also the most effective weapon, a faust-cartridge. It was on its basis after the war that the famous RPG-2 was created, which in its turn became the ancestor of the legendary RPG-7.

But the constant "battle of armor and shell" and did not stop to stop. There was a composite armor, which the usual grenade launcher was not so easy to break through. In addition, experiments on the creation of a dynamic and active defense system were already in full swing, with which all normal OBTs of the world are now equipped. We needed a new means of counteraction.

Such were the portable infantry anti-tank complexes. In appearance, their working part strongly resembles the same grenade launcher, only the "pipe" is attached to a special support, on which numerous means of guidance and control are mounted. The projectile is not a reactive grenade, but a full-fledged anti-tank missile, even a small one.

Today we want to tell you about the "Cornet". The anti-tank missile system of this model has long been in the arsenal of our army and theoretically allows to effectively counter all modern OBRs of the probable enemy.

Start of development

No matter how difficult the situation was in the 90s, but, to the credit of the domestic gunsmiths (Tula KB), work was begun on a completely new model of weapons. Already in 1994, the first complexes began to enter the arsenal of our army. In fairness, it should be noted that the work was not started from scratch: the antitank complex "Reflex" was used as the basis, which at that time could be installed on all domestic tanks, as well as self-propelled guns "Sprut-S" and "Sprut-SD" ".

But all the domestic anti-tank systems that existed at that time had one, but very significant, drawback. This is a method of control: either wired, when servicemen had to rush with coils, or by means of radio commands, which could well have been suppressed by enemy means to create active jamming.

"Management features" of the new ATGM

What is the difference between "Cornet"? An anti-tank missile system of this type was equipped with control systems similar to those used in the aviation industry. Firstly, a rather powerful laser emitter is mounted on the installation itself, which effectively illuminates the target. In the design of the latter there is a photodetector, which catches the reflected ray. The missile self-guidance system interprets the received data and is able to fine-tune the flight course.

It should be noted that the last generation ATGMs had one more problem: the accuracy of hit by almost 90% depended on the professionalism of the operator and his firm hand. The soldier had to literally manually adjust the missile's flight, constantly pointing it at the target. For this, a joystick was used. Imagine a situation where an enemy car at this time is not standing still, but actively maneuvering, trying to cover the operator of all available weapons: it is worth a little more to pull a finger - everything, the missile went past the target.

Wires were often broken, being torn with shrapnel or bullets, and from their banal rubbing they could not be insured. The control over the radio channel was often deafened.

Such shortcomings and was completely deprived of the "Cornet". Anti-tank missile system is completely autonomous, equipped with "smart" missiles, which do not need to be manually operated. Of course, theoretically, a laser beam can be reflected and dispersed by using a smoke screen. But, as practice shows, this requires a relatively long time. The speed of the missile's flight is such that even if for 100-300 meters from the target its exact coordinates are lost, the ammunition will cover this distance for such a short period of time that the enemy tank will still not go anywhere.

Thus, the complex "Cornet" is a highly reliable weapon that allows confidently to hit enemy armored vehicles in various conditions.

What tasks were set for the designers?

Beginning in the mid-1980s, virtually all tanks of the Western powers were equipped with dynamic defense systems, and therefore the task was "simple" for the Tula people: to ensure a reliable defeat of the technology protected by this method. It is not surprising that the developed Cornet 9M133 missile was immediately equipped with a tandem warhead. Its first element disrupted the DZ, provoking its operation, and the second part hit directly the tank armor.

By the way, because of this, the design of the rocket was very remarkable. So, the cumulative charge is in the tail part, the motor - in the middle, and the primary charge - in the bow. Control systems are in the aft part.

Non-traditional use

However, not only tanks alone can destroy the "Cornet". The anti-tank missile system could well be used in a somewhat unconventional way.

The fact is that different ATGMs of various types of equipment since the time of their adoption were often used by soldiers as an effective means by which the enemy could be quickly smoked out of a reinforced BT. So, during the battle for the Falklands in 1982, British paratroopers very often took fortified areas, suppressing their resistance precisely with the help of their anti-tank complexes.

Our special forces, using the "bassoons", knocked dushmans out of their caves, and the Russian Armed Forces used this weapon during the second Chechen campaign. It turned out that the "bassoons" are extremely effective when cleaning buildings. In a word, in recent years such examples have accumulated very, very much.

It is important only to take into account that ATGM missiles are not a thermobaric ammunition, and therefore against its enemy manpower its application does not always lead to the desired results. Tulyak, having assessed the combat experience of Soviet and Russian troops, specially designed for the "Cornet" created missiles equipped with the thermobaric warhead. Such a shell, hitting in the enclosed space of a fortified bunker, literally tears up all life inside due to a sharp pressure drop that occurs during the explosion.

In short, the Cornet rocket is indeed a multipurpose weapon, which can be used extensively in all kinds of troops.

Western versions

Throughout the world, there is an active tendency to completely abandon anti-tank complexes, which require a qualified operator to operate. Among the western ATGMs are American "Javelins" and Israeli "Spikes". Their operator is guided by the principle of "shot and forgotten". It is believed that such complexes belong to the third generation. Our complex "Cornet", incidentally, refers to the second.

A missile launched from such systems is oriented not only to the laser beam and engine heat emanating from the target, but also to the reference image of enemy technology, which is embedded in its memory.

The main problem of the same "Javelina" is the extremely high cost of ammunition. One missile may well cost 120-130 thousand dollars. And this for one thing! Far from all countries in the world can afford to staff their armies with such ATGMs, despite all their undoubted merits. So, in India not so long ago, work was announced on a self-propelled anti-tank complex (based on the BMP), which is armed only with "Javelins." So, the cost of the chassis and the combat complex are equal. However, ATGM is even slightly more expensive.

On the contrary, in the same Syria, crafts based on the Kornet-E ATGMs, mounted on the ubiquitous BMP-1/2, were repeatedly observed. Taking into account the fact that the complex itself and the rocket cost about 30 thousand dollars, their price is much lower than the chassis cost, which makes the production of such complexes economically feasible.

In addition, western third-generation complexes have another problem. It is expressed in a less effective range. Thus, the rocket "Javelina" could theoretically fly away at once to 4700 meters, but its homing part is effective only at a range of up to 2,5 thousand meters. Installing such complexes on a large chassis of the BMP is simply meaningless: until the car gets to the tank, it will have time to hit it several times (including its own missiles).

There are serious problems in urban combat as well. So, in 2003, Americans without any problems podbivali all Iraqi tanks and infantry fighting vehicles. But it was only in the open. In the cities there were no cases of using "Javelins" for armored vehicles. That's why the Americans (and then the Israelis) equipped their third generation systems with manual control.

The Russian decision

Soon the Tula people significantly modernized the "Cornet": ATGM received an "intelligent" system of tracking the target. It looks like this: the operator first visually locates the target, sends ATGM to her side, and then puts the tag. After launching the rocket, it itself is oriented in space, not requiring any human participation in this process. Due to this "Cornet" - ATGM, which can be used even to ensure the destruction of enemy helicopters.

If you think that "Javelin" with its 4,5 thousand meters looks good, then domestic development in this respect is unique. So, under the condition of manning with new missiles with the help of "Cornet", you can get a tank at a distance of eight to ten thousand meters. And the probability of defeat of the target is stably high at the entire possible range of application.

Some modifications

At present, our troops receive a fully modernized version of the complex under the "D" index, while "Cornet-EM" is exported. In general, there is no particular difference between them. It should be noted that literally in the last couple of years the main chassis for this complex was the Tiger car. In addition, the Airborne Forces are now receiving a special anti-tank missile system "Cornet", which is mounted on the chassis of the BTR-D. What other modifications are there?

What does the "E" index mean?

For the first time ATGM was introduced to the public in 1994, and the name "Cornet-E" was used. What it is? The index in this case indicates the export version. Differences from the variant that is in the arsenal of the national Armed Forces are minimal, being reduced to instructions and signatures on the control units executed in English (or any other, depending on the customer's wishes).

In general, the anti-tank missile system "Cornet-E" is most often found in a variety of "hot spots" around the world. The reasons are simple: it is cheap, easy to learn and can reliably defeat virtually all existing types of armored vehicles. "

"Armored" version

Strangely enough, this complex is now considered as a very promising "additive" to the "Pantsir" system. We have already talked about the reasons: with new missiles, it will easily knock not only the enemy's UAV, but even a combat helicopter. In this case, a kind of "symbiosis" of technology is used: a powerful detection system of "Shell" locks the target, and then the anti-tank missile system "Cornet" destroys it. Strange as it may seem, but one launch of the ATGM missile has one downed UAV, while at least hundreds of shells are required to destroy it from the "Guns" automatic guns.

Of course, such targets can be destroyed with 100% probability by surface-to-air missiles, but their cost is such that such shooting will be too costly. In addition, the current drones can easily deceive the laser guidance system of the "Shell", while the rocket of a simple ATGM is guided solely by the visual accompaniment of the target, without the need for its laser illumination.

Especially for the destruction of air targets was created anti-tank missile system "Cornet-D", but for this purpose it is quite possible to use other ATGMs of this family.

At the moment, the idea of installing a complex for patrol ships and navy ships of the Russian Federation is very promising (this is no longer an idea, such modernization is underway). So in just 20 years this development of the Tula masters has gone from an "advanced" means of destroying armored vehicles to a multipurpose weapons complex that can destroy targets on land, in the air and at sea.

"Emka"

But the most promising for the "mass consumer" still looks exactly "Cornet-EM", installed on the chassis of the "Tiger". For the first time the development was demonstrated during the MAKS-2011. There are no analogues in the world for this system.

In this case, the complex is equipped with 16 missiles at once, half of which are in protective containers and fully ready for combat use. Possible salvo shooting at the target, when the tank simultaneously "works" two missiles. It is possible to shoot with all types of ammunition that have ever been developed for this weapon. The huge advantage of the anti-tank missile system "Kornet-EM" is its wide use in the production of available chassis and materials, which drastically reduces its cost in comparison with Western models.

Main technical characteristics

The minimum range of fire is 150 meters. The maximum is 10 kilometers. The control of the installation is fully automated, the electronic "filling" is reliably protected against possible active interference from the enemy. It can simultaneously conduct and fire at once two targets. The cumulative part can pierce up to 1300 mm of homogeneous steel armor. A high-explosive version of the rocket carries a charge of explosives equivalent to 7 kilograms of TNT. The transfer of the complex from a march to a combat situation takes just seven seconds.

For the first time in the history of the national weapons business, the "shot and forget" scheme was implemented. Due to the almost complete elimination of the man from the missile control process, it was possible to increase the probability of destruction of the target almost to 100% from the first attempt. It should be noted that the old complex "Cornet-E" has almost twice the worst performance. The possibility of automatic assignment and tracking of the target has a positive effect on the psychoemotional state of the personnel, which can concentrate on controlling the machine and laying the ways of retreat.

In principle, this complex can be mounted not on the Tigra alone. Thus, the anti-tank missile system of the BMP-3 chassis cornet is used, and in this variant (due to better booking) the unit is recommended for use in conditions of intense city battles. How strong is the load on the carrier chassis?

Depending on the number of launchers, the weight of ATCM "Cornet-EM" can vary from 0.8 to 1.2 tons, which for the chassis of the same "Tiger" (which is borrowed from the BTR) has practically no value. The containers themselves are made of high-strength plastic. The guarantee period for the storage of missiles without conducting routine inspections is at least ten years.

Structure of the complex

Firstly, the structure of the complex is directly chassis, equipped with an operator's cabin with a sight and other devices. As we have already said, our MIC for this role is most often put forward by the car "Tiger". The peculiarity of the complex in this case is also that it looks far from being an accurate ATGM, but as an ordinary jeep, since missiles are hidden in its hull. In the case of a real threat, the container takes its position on the chassis in only seven seconds.

The missiles themselves, and their nomenclature can be different - from directly anti-tank means to high-explosive species, can be used against the enemy's manpower in city combat. They have an effective range of up to ten kilometers. It is reported that the tandem part of the missile can hit infantry hiding behind concrete walls, the total thickness of which reaches about three meters.

Anti-tank missiles. It is reported that it is most reasonable to use them at distances of up to eight kilometers. The armor penetrability of their cumulative part is about 1100-1300 mm of homogeneous armor. In principle, such characteristics make it possible to effectively use the "Cornet" to combat all types of CBT, even taking into account the fact that there is a tendency to increase the thickness of the frontal armor. Finally, the ammunition can include thermobaric shells, which are designed specifically to destroy the enemy's manpower, which is protected by the walls of the DOT.

Launcher with four protected launch canisters. Equipped with tele-sight sighting device. A third-generation thermal imager is used. For the convenience of the calculation, high-resolution television cameras are used, which greatly facilitate the identification of enemy equipment and protective structures. There is also an integrated laser rangefinder, which allows you to accurately determine the distance to the target.

disadvantages

Does the domestic "Cornet" have any negative features? Anti-tank missile system (photo is in the article) differs from its foreign competitors in excessively large weight (about 50 kilograms). In addition, a number of modifications still use laser beam guidance, which greatly demisters the position occupied by the fighters. However, it is because of the latter circumstance that the "Cornet-EM" complex is mounted on the chassis of the relatively high-speed "Tiger", which allows quickly changing the location of the firing point.

In addition, some experts indicate that only 47% of hits lead to penetration of armor. Such data, in particular, were obtained during the war between Lebanon and Israel in 2006.

But there are other data. So, the US military department, reluctantly, was forced to admit the fact of having lost the Obram "Abrams" in Iraq (as of 2012). British journalists give an example of the episode when on a narrow street Abrams literally lashed with shells from RPG-7, which did not do him harm. But only one volley from the "Cornet" completely disabled the tank, destroying the crew. The car, according to eyewitnesses, immediately caught fire.