ATGM "Chriznatema-S" (western classification AT-15 "Springer") was created in the Kolomna Design Bureau of Mechanical Engineering in the 1990s under the leadership of General Designer S. P. Invincible. This anti-tank missile system is designed to destroy modern and promising enemy armored vehicles, including MBT equipped with reactive armor, as well as enemy fortifications and engineering structures, its surface and low-speed air targets and manpower. A distinctive feature of the Chrysanthemum-S self-propelled anti-tank missile system is its absolute all-weather resistance. Targeting is carried out using an automatic combined control system for a radio beam and a semi-automatic control system for a laser beam. The complex has the ability to simultaneously fire at 2 targets and a high rate of fire. Serial production of the 9K123 Chrysanthemum-S ATGM is deployed at the Saratov Aggregate Plant.
If we talk about the history of the creation of this complex, then it would be appropriate to recall the large-scale military exercises "West-81", which took place on the territory of the Belarusian Military District, in which a large number of ground forces took part. Initially, a large-scale artillery preparation was carried out, after which tanks were thrown at the enemy's position. Despite the fact that prepared guns and anti-tank systems were waiting for them, they did not have time to say their word. Under cover of dust and smoke raised by artillery preparation and tracks, the tanks almost unnoticed approached the positions of the "enemy". Those exercises were personally attended by the Minister of Defense of the USSR, Dmitry Ustinov. Summoning the chief and chief designer of the Kolomna Machine Building Design Bureau, Sergei Invincible, to his command post, he said: “You see, no one can shoot! Think about how you can find and destroy tanks when you can hardly see anything. " The design bureau thought about this problem.
The Chrysanthemum-S self-propelled anti-tank complex turned out to be really all-seeing. It can use 2 channels for guiding missiles to a target: optical-laser, which ensures the defeat of a wide range of targets in visibility conditions, and radar, which is responsible for hitting targets hidden by a blanket of snow, fog or a smoky curtain. The use of two channels allows the complex to track 2 targets simultaneously and simultaneously launch missiles. In this case, one - in automatic mode on the principle of "fire and forget". For ATGM "Chrysanthemum-S" there is no difference what time of day it is outside. The complex includes a 9P157-4 battery commander's vehicle, a 9P157-3 platoon commander's vehicle, a 9P157-2 combat vehicle, as well as 2 types of missiles: with a tandem cumulative warhead (anti-tank) and a powerful high-explosive unit.
Fighting vehicle 9P157-2
Self-propelled complex "Chrysanthemum-S" can successfully hit modern as well as promising main battle tanks, including those with reactive armor. In addition to armored vehicles, it can destroy air-cushion ships, low-tonnage surface targets, low-flying subsonic air targets, reinforced concrete fortifications, bunkers and armored shelters.
Distinctive properties of ATGM "Chrysanthemum-S":
- simultaneous guidance of 2 missiles at different targets;
- the ability to use around the clock in simple and difficult weather conditions, as well as in the presence of smoke and dust interference.
- short flight time due to the use of supersonic missiles;
- high noise immunity of the complex from radio and infrared interference;
At the moment, the Chrysanthemum-S ATGM is the most powerful of all currently existing ground anti-tank systems. A large effective range of fire in all weather and combat conditions, high rate of fire and security make the complex indispensable for both defensive and offensive operations of ground forces.
The main feature of "Chrysanthemum-S" is the ability to defeat armored enemy targets without the need for thermal imaging or optical aiming. Chrysanthemum-S has its own radar station, which operates in the radio wave range - 100-150 GHz (2-3 mm). This radar allows you to detect and track targets with simultaneous guidance of the missile. The control and maintenance process is carried out automatically, without the assistance of the installation operator. Due to the presence of an additional laser guidance system for the ATGM, the complex can fire a salvo at two different targets, using different aiming channels for this.
ATGM 9M123 is designed according to the normal aerodynamic configuration. The aerodynamic rudders of the rocket are located perpendicular to the plane of the axes of the engine nozzles, their drive is located in the tail of the rocket. The rocket is equipped with wings similar to those of the Shturm missiles and located in front of the nozzle block. The Chrysanthemum-S missile can be equipped with different types of warheads. ATGM 9M123-2 has a powerful over-caliber tandem warhead with a diameter of 152 mm. This ammunition can penetrate armor up to 1200 mm thick behind ERA. There is also a variant of equipping the rocket with a high-explosive (thermobaric) warhead, in this case it has the index 9M123F-2.
MANPADS "Chrysanthemum-S" in Libya, in 2010 Russia delivered to the country 4 machines 9P157-2
The Chrysanthemum-S complex is based on the BMP-3 chassis. The combat vehicle of the 9P157-2 complex has a crew of 2 people and carries an ammunition load of 15 9M123-2 or 9M123F-2 missiles located in transport and launch containers. This vehicle, like the original BMP-3, has increased cross-country ability and high maneuverability, and is equipped with means of individual and collective protection against weapons of mass destruction. The machine is able to easily overcome water obstacles by swimming at a speed of up to 10 km / h, using water jet propellers. The speed on the highway is 70 km / h, on rough terrain - 45 km / h, the cruising range is 600 km.
Along with the retractable launcher, designed for 2 transport and launch containers with missiles, the radar antenna is located closer to the left side of the vehicle. The choice of missiles necessary for solving a specific combat mission from the ammunition rack is made automatically at the command of the operator. All processes that are associated with the transfer of the launcher from the traveling position to the combat position and vice versa, charging and reloading are fully automated and are carried out from a special console at the operator's workplace. The transition from traveling to combat position takes no more than 20 seconds.
It is assumed that a battery of 3 combat vehicles "Chrysanthemum-S" is able to repel an attack by a tank company of 14 vehicles, destroying at least 60% of the advancing tanks. The missiles with a high-explosive warhead included in the complex further expand the possibilities of its use. In addition to its versatility, the complex can be placed on other carriers with a carrying capacity of at least 3 tons without any problems. The possibility of using this complex as an anti-ship weapon on boats is also provided.
During the operation of this complex, it became clear that it should have a platoon commander's car and a battery commander's car for conducting and planning combat operations, as well as conducting reconnaissance in any weather and at any time of the day. In cooperation with other development enterprises, the Mechanical Engineering Design Bureau, at its own expense, carried out the development and subsequent tests of combat vehicles and control vehicles, increasing the combat capabilities of the complex.
Battery commander's vehicle 9P157-4
The battery commander's vehicle is indexed 9P157-4. It is equipped with an all-round sight, a heat-and-television reconnaissance device, a radar station, a topographic referencing and orientation system, communication facilities, jamming, etc. As a self-defense weapon, the vehicle is equipped with a machine gun. The car is equipped with 5 workplaces.
The upgraded 9P157-2 combat vehicle also received a heat and television instead of an optical control device. This allows the complex to operate in the optical channel not only during the day, but at night. To increase the effectiveness of the self-defense of the machine, a course machine gun was installed on it. To improve the comfort of the crew, the car received an air conditioner. The platoon commander's car, designated 9P157-3, was created on the basis of a linear machine and differs from it only in the presence of a radio station for communication with the battery commander.
At present, the possibilities for modernizing the Chrysanthemum-S complex are far from being exhausted. Now work is underway to automate the processes of assigning targets and issuing target designations by the battery commander to combat vehicles, which will significantly reduce the time from the moment the target is detected to its destruction by the missile of the complex.
