9K115 Metis (AT-7 Saxhorn) and 9K115-2 Metis-M (AT-13 Saxhorn) ATGM systems

The 9K115 Metis and 9K115-2 Metis-M are company-level ATGM systems which were designed by the KBP (Instrument-Making Design Bureau) based in Tula. These lightweight and man-portable systems appeared in the 1980s as a replacement for the older Fagot ATGM systems in the ATGM platoons of the BMP-equipped mechanized infantry battalions (the 6 Fagot systems are replaced with 9 Metis systems) and are also used in the MG/AT platoons of the BTR-equipped mechanized infantry companies (3 per platoon).
They can be carried and operated only by a one man, but its crew normally consists of two men. The operator carries the 9P151 firing post and one missile, while the assistant operator carries three additional missile containers with ATGMs. They are manufactured in the Vyatskiye Polyany Mechanical Engineering Plant (Molot JSC), which is Russsia's largest manufacturer of antitank weapon systems, grenade launchers and small arms.

The 9K115 Metis (AT-7 Saxhorn) ATGM system uses the 9M115 tube-launched missile which has a SACLOS wire-guidance. The missile is stored and carried in a container, which also serves as its launch tube. It has a minimum range of 40 m. and a maximum range of 1000 m. and it has a unitary shaped-charge HEAT warhead which is capable of penetrating 460 mm. of armor (same as the 9M111M Fagot-M ATGM).

Thanks to its weight of only 16,3 kg., the 9K115 can be fired from the shoulder as well as from the tripod, but this requires a great deal more skill. It can also be fired from an enclosed space, such as a building, although it requires at least 6 meters of clear space behind it and an internal volume of 100 mł.

System:	Designations:	Russian Army	9K115
		U.S. Army	AT-7
		NATO	Saxhorn
	Guidance:	SACLOS
	Weight:	16,3 kg.
	Rate of fire:	4-5 rds./min.
	Service entry:	1980s
Missile:	Designation:	9M115
	Dimensions:	Length:	740 mm.
		Diameter:	94 mm.
		Wing span:	300 mm.
	Weight:	Missile only:	5,5 kg.
		Missile in container:	6,3 kg.
	Warhead:	Type:	HEAT
		Weight:	2,5 kg.
	Range:	Minimum:	40 m.
		Maximum:	1000 m.
	Speed:	223 m./s.
	Penetration:	460 mm. of armor
	Propellant:	solid fuel
Firing Post:	Designation:	9P151
	Weight:	10 kg.

The 9K115-2 Metis-M (AT-13 Saxhorn) is basicly a 9K115 which uses the modified 9M131 ATGM, which has a newer tandem shaped-charge HEAT warhead for defeating modern tanks equiped with ERA. It has a minimum range of 80 meters and a maximum range of 1500 meters, and it is capable of penetrating 900 mm. of RHA.

The new system can also use a missile with a 4,95 kg. FAE warhead which is effective against fortifications, manpower and unarmored vehicles.

System:	Designations:	Russian Army	9K115-2
		U.S. Army	AT-13
		NATO	Saxhorn
	Guidance:	SACLOS
	Weight:	23,8 kg.
	Rate of fire:	4-5 rds./min.
	Service entry:	1980s
Missile:	Designation:	9M131
	Dimensions:	Length:	910 mm.
		Diameter:	127 mm.
		Wing span:	400 mm.
	Weight:	Missile only:	13 kg.
		Missile in container:	13,8 kg.
	Warhead:	Type:	HEAT (t)
		Weight:	4,6 kg.
	Range:	Minimum:	80 m.
		Maximum:	1500 m.
	Speed:	200 m./s.
	Penetration:	900 mm. of RHA
	Propellant:	solid fuel
Firing Post:	Designation:	9P151
	Weight:	10 kg.

The NPO GIPO (Research and Production Association-State Institute of Applied Optics), one of Russia's leading enterprises for designing optronic systems for the Russian armed forces, has produced the MULAT-115 (1PN86V) small thermal sight for these ATGM systems, which recently entered serial production. Its use doesn't necessitate any additional modifications to the firing post, and it can also be used as an observation and surveilance device. When not in use, it is stored in a shockproof protective casing.

Detection range:	3200 m.
Identification range:	1600 m.
Field of view:	2.4"x4.6"
Spectral band:	8-13 m.
Air bottle lifetime:	2 h.
Operation time with a single set of SPTA:	6 h.
Power consumption:	2,8 W
Weight (with air bottle and battery):	5,5 kg.
Temperature range:	-40 to +50 °C
Overall dimensions of the unit: (lenght x width x height)	387 x 203 x 90 mm.