9K123 Hrizantema antitank weapon system

The 9K123 Hrizantema is one of the newest Russian ATGM systems which was developed by the KBM (Engineering Design Bureau) in Kolomna. It was revealed in July 1996 as a follow up on the Kornet laser beam riding ATGM, deveoloped by the KBP (Instrument-Making Design Bureau) in Tula. It is a unique all-weather, dual-guidance system which is very immune to countermeasures. This is achieved by using an automatic radar target detection and tracking system for guidance of the ATGM, which operates in the milimetre wave (MMW) band. It ensures missile launch at any time of the day or night during various weather and combat conditions including fog, rain, snow, fire, dust and smoke screen environment. The system is capable of defeating any modern tank equipped with ERA with high accuracy at very long ranges and in addition, it can also be used to destroy fortifications and slow-flying helicopters. There is no known equivalent to it in the West.

A picture of the 9M123-2 Hrizantema ATGM and its container/launch tube.

The 9M123-2 and 9M123F-2 missiles

The system uses the 9M123-2 Hrizantema (Chrysantemum) ATGM which has a maximum range of 6000 m. and a maximum speed of 400 m./s. which makes it supersonic. It has a tandem HEAT warhead which can penetrate over 1000 mm. of steel armor protected with ERA. It can be guided in both ACLOS or SACLOS mode. The missile is stored and carried in a container which is also used as a launch tube.

A missile with a HE warhead is also developed and it is designated 9M123F-2 (F for Fugasnaya - high-explosive). It is inteded for destroying various battlefield fortifications and manpower.

Technical characteristics for the 9K123 Hrizantema ATGM system:

The 9P157-2 tank destroyer, based on the BMP-3 ICV, in the ready-to-launch position with the missile launcher and guidance radar erected.

The 9P157-2 tank destroyer

The Hrizantema missile system is mounted on a BMP-3 ICV chassis and it is designated 9P157-2. This tank destroyer retained the amphibious capability of the BMP-3 and has an NBC protection system and a front-mounted self-entrenching retractable blade. The firing ports in the rear troop compartment were removed, as well as the standard BMP-3 turret, which was replaced by a twin missile launcher. The two-man crew consists of a driver and system operator and they are both seated in the front of the vehicle under full armor protection, ensuring high combat survivability.

The twin missile launcher in the ready-to-launch position holds two missile containers, each with a 9M123 ATGM. When they are launched, it is lowered into the hull and automatically reloaded by an automatic loading system which holds 15 additional missile containers. When they are spent, the loader is reloaded from the right side by an onboard loading device. A missile test equipment is also included with the Hrizantema ATGM system.

The automatic guidance of the missile is performed by the radar mounted on the left side of the roof. When using the automatic mode the operator just has to designate a target and the missile is guided to it without his participation which is virtually an implementation of the fire-and-forget principle. It is highly immune to both active and passive countermeasures. The presence of dust, dense smoke and battlefield fires has no effect on the systems guidance electronics. When it is not in use, the radar, along with the twin missile launcher, can be retracted into the hull under full armor protection.

The 9P157-2 tank destroyer in the traveling position, with the missile launcher and guidance radar retracted into the hull.

The semi-automatic guidance mode is performed by a laser beam aimed from the sight mounted on front right side of the glacis plate. When operating in this mode the operator has to keep his sight on the target until the missile reaches it.

There is also a combined guidance mode in which two missiles can be fired consecutively at two different targets. One of them is guided in the automatic and the other one in the semi-automatic mode. This allows two targets to be engaged simultaneously, which gives the system a greater combat efectiveness.

Future of the Hrizantema ATGM system

It is still not clear whether the Russian Army will buy the cheaper Kornet-T self-propelled system (which is also based on the BMP-3 chassis) or the more expensive but more capable Hrizantema self-propelled ATGM system to replace the older and less capable 9P148 tank destroyer which is based on the chassis of the BRDM-2 reconnaissance vehicle and uses the wire-guided Konkurs and Fagot ATGMs. A possibility exists that both of these tank destroyers will be purchased - the Kornet-T for use at regimental level and the Hrizantema for use at divisional level or maybe a mix of these systems will be used at both regimental and divisional level. Regardless of the choice of the Russian Army, it is certain that the very capable Hrizantema ATGM system will be purchased by many other armies. Like many other contemporary Russian guided missile systems which are intended for export, the Hrizantema ATGM can also be mounted on other types of chassis. Also, an air-launched version is under development, which means that in the future this system could also be fitted to helicopters and airplanes, making them very efficient in the anti-tank role.