Advancements in Anti-Tank Guided Missiles: 9M134 and Kornet

Successful‌ Test of 9M134 Missile Against Medium Armored Vehicles

The Tula Instrument Design Bureau has announced the successful ‍completion of testing ​of the 9M134 missile, a‍ new ‍anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) developed to attack medium armored ⁤vehicles. This achievement ​marks a significant milestone in Russia’s anti-tank guided missile production capacity.

The 9M134 missile is four times⁣ lighter than‌ the ⁢Kornet family of missiles, making ⁤it a more cost-effective and efficient solution for engaging targets‍ such as‌ infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) and armored personnel carriers (APCs). The missile is equipped with⁢ a dual-explosive‌ warhead, capable of penetrating armor protected by active defense ⁤systems. Its anti-jamming, laser-guided⁤ control system allows the missile to destroy targets at a distance of up to⁣ 3.5 km.

Despite being ‍lighter than its‍ “big brother” Kornet, the 9M134 can still be integrated with ​the existing Kornet anti-tank⁣ missile launcher, ​increasing its versatility on the battlefield. This compatibility enables the‍ 9M134 to be‌ easily deployed and utilized by military forces‍ already familiar with the Kornet system.

Kornet: A Proven Anti-Tank ‌Missile System

The Kornet, also known as​ the 9M133 Kornet,​ has been one of the main ⁣anti-tank weapons of the Russian military since its introduction in ​the late⁢ 1990s.⁣ The⁢ missile is designed to destroy a wide range of armored targets, including modern main battle ‌tanks, fortifications, and low-flying helicopters.

With its high compatibility, the Kornet can be mounted on tripods, combat vehicles, and even helicopters, providing ⁣flexible⁣ combat⁣ capabilities. The ‌Kornet’s guidance system uses semi-active line-of-sight⁣ (SACLOS) guidance, in which the‌ gunner ‌maintains a laser ‍aimed​ at the target, guiding the missile ⁤straight to its impact point.

Depending on ​the ⁣version, the Kornet has a range of up to 5.5km during the day and 3.5km at night, ‌with modern variants reaching a range of up to 10km. With a flight speed of 250 to 300 m/s and a dual ⁤warhead capable of penetrating up to 1,200 mm of rolled homogeneous armor (RHA) behind explosive reactive armor ⁢(ERA), the Kornet is capable of dealing ⁢with the most powerful tanks on the battlefield.

US Deploys HIMARS Rocket Artillery to Southern Command

For the first time, the US Army deployed the M142⁤ HIMARS rocket ⁤launcher system to the Southern ⁤Command (SOUTHCOM)⁢ area to participate in the Southern Fenix ​​24 (SF24) exercise. The SF24 ⁣multilateral ‍exercise took place in Chile from August ​27 to ‍September 6, 2024, with the participation of more than 600 soldiers from⁤ Chile, Argentina, and the US.

The exercise aims ‌to enhance ‍cooperation between the parties and the ability to‌ coordinate operations in ⁢the future.⁣ The deployment of HIMARS rocket ⁢artillery demonstrates the US military’s commitment to strengthening its presence in the region ‍and improving its capabilities in joint exercises​ with partner nations.