| 9M117 Bastion | |
|---|---|
 9M117M ATGM | |
| Type | Anti-tank guided missile |
| Place of origin | Soviet Union Russia |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1981–present |
The9M117 Bastion is a Sovietlaserbeam-ridinganti-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),T-12anti-tank gun and the 3UBK12 fired from theBMP-3. The 100 mmprojectile entered service in 1981.[1]
The9K112 Kobra (AT-8 Songster) was the first Soviet tube-firedanti-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 ofguided projectiles that would uselaser guidance rather than radio command links. Theguidance system was developed by Igor Aristarkhov, and the missile was developed by Pyotr Komonov.[2] The Bastion was developed firstly as a relatively cheap missile fired from towedMT-12 100 mmsmoothbore anti-tank guns.[1] The 9M117 missile was part of the 3UBK10 round and the whole weapon system was designated 9K116 Kastet. A laser guidance device was seated on a tripod next to thegun.[1] The system was commissioned in 1981.[1]
During development of the 9K116 system, it was recognized that it could enhance the long-range firepower of the olderT-55 andT-62 tanks. The system for the T-55'sD-10T 100 mmrifled gun was designated 9K116-1 Bastion (3UBK10-1 round); and for the T-62'sU-5TS 115 mm smoothbore gun, 9K116-2 Sheksna (3UBK10-2 round).[3] The 9M117 missiles were identical, as in the towed version; however, the 115 mm version had additional guiding rings.[3] They were commissioned in 1983.[3] Then, the 9K116-3 system was developed for the 100 mm rifled[4] gun of theBMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle, commissioned in 1987. Similar systems, with larger caliber9M119 Svir missiles, were developed for the 125 mm guns of theT-72 andT-80 tanks.
The 100 mm round resembles a normal 100 mm anti-tank round, and is loaded and fired in the same fashion. The round uses a reducedpropellant charge to launch the projectile out of thebarrel of the gun at around 400–500 m/s (1,300–1,600 ft/s). After leaving the gun barrel, a small cover falls away from the window on the rear of the missile. Therocket motor ignites 1.5 seconds after firing the missile, and it burns for 6 seconds.
The projectiles usebeam-riding laser guidance. A cone of laser light divided into sectors is projected from the launching tank/vehicle/gun, each sector having a different frequency ormodulation. The missile has a small window in the rear with a laser sensor to detect the modulation of thelight. Using this modulation, the missile steers itself, maintaining its position in the cone. The laser beam is zoomed during the missile flight so it has the same diameter (about 6 m (20 ft)) throughout the missile flight path. The laser beam-riding guidance system is smaller than a radio command one, and cheaper and simpler than semi-active laser guidance. The missile is also not prone toradio or optical jamming.[1] On the other hand, the target has to be tracked by laser sight all the time, and the system can not be reliably used on the move.[3]
The missile's flight time to 4,000 metres (13,000 ft) is approximately 12 seconds. After 26 to 41 seconds, the missileself-destructs.
Cartridges firing the 9M117Bastion missile; average armour penetration 550 mm (22 in)rolled homogeneous armour equivalency (RHAe) afterexplosive reactive armour (ERA)[5]
Cartridges firing the 9M117MKantandem-chargehigh-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) missile; average armour penetration 600 mm (24 in) RHAe after ERA[7]
Cartridges firing the 9M117M1Arkan tandem-charge HEAT missile with an extended range of 100–6,000 m (330–19,690 ft); average armour penetration 750 mm (30 in) RHAe after ERA
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