3M11 Falanga

The AT-2 "Swatter" is the NATO reporting name for the 3M11 "Fleyta" (flute) MCLOS radio command Anti-tank missile of the Soviet Union.

Development

The missile was developed by the Nudelman OKB-16 design bureau. It was developed as a heavy ATGM at about the same time as the AT-1 Snapper for use on both ground launchers and helicopters. It addressed some of the problems of the AT-1, it was much faster, and had slightly longer range. There improvements were achieved by sending commands via radio link instead of a trailing guidance wire - which allowed the missile to travel faster. However it did make it vulnerable to jamming. The missile system was shown to Khrushchev in September 1964, and accepted for service shortly afterwards.

History

The AT-2 was the first Soviet ATGM to be deployed from helicopters. Small numbers where fitted to the Mi-4AV. The missile was deployed on the Mi-8 Hip as well as the Mi-24,Mi-25 `Hind' series of helicopters. It was also deployed on the BRDM-1 and BRDM-2 tank-destroyer vehicles.

The original AT-2A (3M11 "Falanga") missile was problematic - one Russian source describes the missile as "notable for its complexity and low reliability". Also the missile's range was felt to be inadequate. An improved version of the missile was developed: the AT-2B (9M17 "Skorpion"). Externally the missiles are very similar - however the AT-2B range is increased to 3.5 km. The standard production version was the 9M17M "Skorpion-M" It entered service in 1968.

The next development took was to integrate SACLOS guidance - the result was the AT-2 "Swatter-C" or 9M17P "Skorpion-P". It entered service in 1969. A product improved version the 9M17MP was developed, with an improved engine and signal lamp. The missile has been used extensively in the following wars on the Mi-24 platform.
* Angolan War of Independence
* Soviet invasion of Afghanistan
* 1980s Iran–Iraq War
* 1982 Lebanon War

It has been replaced in Soviet service by the AT-6 Spiral ATGM.

General characteristics (AT-2 Swatter A)

* Length: 1160 mm
* Wingspan:
* Diameter: 148 mm
* Launch weight: 27.0 kg
* Speed: 150-170 m/s
* Range: 500 m - 2.5 km
* Time to maximum range: 17 seconds
* Guidance: Radio command MCLOS
* Warhead: 5.4 kg HEAT 500 mm vs RHA

Models

* AT-2A "Swatter A" MCLOS
** 3M11 / 9M11
* AT-2B "Swatter B" Range increased to 3.5 km.
** 9M17
** 9M17DB Modified system to work with the Mi-8TB (Hip-E).
** 9M17M "Skorpion-M" MCLOS 9K8 (Falanga-M). Launch weight 29 kg, Maximum range 3500 m. First seen in the 1973 Moscow Parade.
* AT-2C "Swatter C" SACLOS Falanga-PV (Fleyta) 9K8. Launch weight 29 kg.
** 9M17P First SACLOS version.
** 9M17MP Improved engine and guidance lamp. Maximum range 4000 m.
** 9M17N

Users

Former Soviet Republics;flag|Afghanistan;flag|Angola ;flag|Bulgaria ;flag|Cuba;flag|Czechoslovakia ;flag|Egypt;flag|Hungary;flag|Iraq ;flag|Libya ;flag|Poland;flag|Romania;USSR;flag|Syria ;flag|Vietnam ;flag|Yemen

External links

* http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/at2swatter.htm

References

* Hull, A.W. , Markov, D.R. , Zaloga, S.J. (1999). "Soviet/Russian Armor and Artillery Design Practices 1945 to Present". Darlington Productions. ISBN 1-892848-01-5.