Missile AT-14 Spriggan / 9M133 Kornet
Summary
| Category | Anti-Tank Missile |
| Sub-type | Anti-tank guided missile |
| Origin country | 🇷🇺 Russia |
| Manufacturer | KPB Instrument Design Bureau |
Technical specifications
| AT-14 Spriggan / 9M133 Kornet | |
|---|---|
| Warhead | High Explosive Anti Tank |
| Diameter | 152 mm (6.0 in) |
| Length | 1200 mm (47.2 in) |
| Penetration | 1200 mm of steel |
| Weight | 27 kg (60 lb) |
Description
The 9M133 Kornet, also known as the AT-14 Spriggan in NATO parlance, is a Russian anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) system. It was developed by the KBP Instrument Design Bureau and entered service with the Russian military in the mid-1990s. The Kornet has since been widely exported and has been used in various conflicts, including the Syrian Civil War, the conflict in eastern Ukraine, and others.
One of the Kornet's notable features is its use of laser beam riding for guidance, which means that the missile follows a laser beam pointed at the target, making it less susceptible to jamming compared to wire-guided or radio-guided systems. The operator has to keep the target painted with a laser designator, but unlike wire-guided systems, there's no wire to limit the range or be prone to breakage.
The Kornet is capable of penetrating modern armor, including reactive armor, thanks to its tandem-charge warhead. It is designed to engage not just armored vehicles but also fortifications and slow-moving aerial targets like helicopters. A thermobaric warhead variant is also available for use against bunkers and strongholds.
The system has a relatively long effective range, reaching up to about 5,500 meters depending on the variant. This long range, coupled with its powerful warhead, makes it one of the more formidable ATGM systems available today. The missile can be launched from various platforms, including dedicated launchers, vehicles, and helicopters.
The Kornet is relatively heavy and expensive compared to some man-portable ATGMs. The requirement for the operator to keep the laser designator on the target until impact exposes them to potential counter-fire, although this risk is somewhat mitigated by the system's long range.