| Skif (Stugna-P) | |
|---|---|
 A Skif on a tripod. | |
| Type | ATGM |
| Place of origin | Ukraine |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2011–present[1] |
| Used by | SeeUsers |
| Wars | War in Donbas Russian invasion of Ukraine |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Kyiv Design Bureau "Luch", OJSCPeleng |
| Variants | SeeVariants |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 97 kg (214 lb); full system including missile 104 kg (229 lb) |
| Diameter | 130 mm, 152 mm |
Detonation mechanism | Impact fuze |
Operational range |
|
Guidance system | Laser beam riding with target tracking in TV orthermal imaging channels in manual or auto mode[2] |
Steering system | Manual or automatic |
Launch platform | Tripod, vehicle mount onremote weapon station (RWS) |
TheSkif, also known as theStugna-P orStuhna-P, is a Ukrainiananti-tank guided missile (ATGM) system developed in the early 2010s by theLuch Design Bureau, a unit ofUkrOboronProm.[2][1][3] The initialguidance device PN-S (ПН-С) of the Skif was developed and manufactured byBelarusian design bureau Peleng based inMinsk.[4]
The Skif is designed to destroy modern armored targets with combined carried or monolithic armor, includingexplosive reactive armor (ERA). The Skif can attack both stationary and moving targets. It can be used to attack from both long range (up to 5 kilometres [3.1 mi] in the daytime) and close range (100 metres; 330 ft). It can attack point targets such as weapon emplacements, lightly armored objects, and hovering helicopters. The Skif has two targeting modes: manually steered, and automatedfire-and-forget that uses no manual tracking of a target.[2][5] In 2018, an upgraded export variant of the Skif was tested by theUkrainian military.[6]
The Skif ATGM system should not be confused with theStugna 100-mm gun-launched anti-tank missile.[7]
Skif (Ukrainian:скіф) is theUkrainian word forScythian. The nameStugna-P (Russian) orStuhna-P (Ukrainian:Стугна-П) is after the riverStuhna, a right tributary of theDnipro.
The Skif consists of atripod, PDU-215 remote control panel, guidance device, andthermographic camera (thermal imager).[2][1] Each round of ammunition comes in its own canister of either 130 or 152 mm diameter.
The PDU-215 control panel is a briefcase-likelaptop computer with a control panel, holding a smalljoystick and aflat-panel display, that is connected to the firing unit by a cable, allowing it be used at distances up to 50 metres (160 ft) away. Two firing modes are available: manual, and fire-and-forget. Fire-and-forget provides automatic control of the missile flight using a targetinglaser beam.[1]
A three to four-person team is optimal for deploying the Skif. Operators require specially-made backpacks. Once the missile is fired, the operator controls the Skif and corrects the aim when needed, by using the joystick on the remote control. The Skif's system has a shelf life of 15 years. The missiles have a 10-year shelf life.
The system comes complete with 130 mm and 152 mm caliber missiles in transport and launching containers.Tandem chargehigh-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) RK-2S warheads might be able to counter medium weightmain battle tanks such as theT-90A with penetration of 800 millimetres (31 in) behindERA. RK-2M-K warheads might be able to counter heavy main battle tanks such asM1A2 Abrams with their penetration of 1,100 millimetres (43 in) behind ERA. The system also includeshigh explosive (HE)fragmentation RK-2OF and RK-2М-OF warheads to attack infantry positions and light armored vehicles. The system can use all four types ofmissiles with no modification. The system's thermal imager can be used duringnight operations.[2][1] According to a 2014 article, SLX-Hawk thermal imaging camera produced bySelex ES can be installed for use at night and in poor visibility conditions.[8] The Ukrainian military only uses the 130 mm caliber missiles, as the 152 mm versions were made to compete against the RussianKornet-EM on the export market.[9]
The upgraded Skif-M was unveiled in 2022, which has improvements such as a lighter tripod, a revised traverse and elevation housing, a new lightweight remote-control panel, new batteries to power the launcher and panel, and the new PN-U sighting and guidance unit (SGU) which includes alaser rangefinder. The Luch Design Bureau said the Skif-M had been delivered to the Ukrainian armed forces in September 2023.[9]
The launcher can fire three types of ammunition, with two different calibers.[2]
System configuration with 130 mm missiles using RK-2S and RK-2OF warheads.
System configuration with 152 mm missiles using RK-2M-K and RK-2М-OF warheads:
SERDAR is a stabilizedremote controlled weapon station (RCWS). The system was developed jointly by the Luch Design Bureau, Turkish companyAselsan, and SpetsTechnoExport, part of Ukraine's Ukroboronprom enterprise. The system carries two (in some versions four) 130 mm or 152 mm missiles with RK-2S or RK-2M-Ktandem-chargeHEAT warheads. The system is also equipped with 12.7 mm and 7.62 mm caliber machine guns.[10] A joint company for the production of Skif missiles was established in Turkey and production began in early 2020.[1]
Shershen is aBelarusianATGM based on Skif. It also has different types of 130 mm and 152 mm missiles.[11]
The missile system was used during the pre-2022Russo-Ukrainian War by Ukrainian forces following first deliveries in 2018.[12] However, it gained wider prominence againstRussian Army forces during the2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine beginning in February alongside anti-tank systems provided byNATO countries such as theFGM-148 Javelin (US) andNLAW (UK/Sweden).[13] On April 5, 2022, Ukrainian forces used the missile system to down a RussianKamov Ka-52attack helicopter.[14] Although not as advanced as fire and forget systems such as the Javelin, the Stugna-P possesses a few unique advantages over those weapons. It possesses a longer range overall, flies significantly faster, and is harder to jam due to itsSACLOS laser guidance. However, it weighs significantly more than those weapons and cannot be operated by a lone operator.
As the war has moved to the Donbas and fighting has changed from wooded areas to open plains, the missile has been fitted to light vehicles to make it mobile. The Skif is being used in the same way US forces used the TOW missile system in the 1980s and the Gulf WarDesert Patrol Vehicle. On 25 April, near Izyum, during one engagement four tanks were destroyed or damaged in 4 minutes by the same Skif operator.[15][16]
Many of the missiles were to be exported to Middle Eastern countries. However, upon the outbreak of war these export models were used by Ukrainian soldiers.[17][18]
According to Ukrainian soldiers, one missile has hit a Russian tank at 5,300 meters (300 m beyond the nominal maximum range of 5 km).[19]
Azerbaijan[20]
Algeria[21]
Saudi Arabia[22]
Myanmar[23]
Georgia
Ukraine[1]
Morocco[24]
Qatar[25]
Egypt[26]
Jordan[26]