View source for 9M120 Ataka

{{Short description|Soviet/Russian anti-tank guided missile}}
{{Infobox weapon
|name=9M120 Ataka<br><small>AT-9 Spiral-2</small>
| image=Engineering Technologies 2010 Part7 0032 copy.jpg
| image_size = 300
|caption=9M120 missile with tandem HEAT warhead
|origin=[[Soviet Union]]
|type=[[Anti-tank guided missile]]
<!-- Type selection -->
|is_missile=yes
<!-- Service history -->
|service=1985–present
|used_by=See [[#Operators|''Operators'']]
|wars=
<!-- Production history -->
|designer=[[KB Mashinostroyeniya|KBM]]<ref name=kbm>{{cite web|title=Protivotankovyye raketnyye kompleksy|url=http://www.kbm.ru/en/production/ptrk/|website=KBM Design Bureau of Machine Building|access-date=18 July 2014|language=ru}}</ref>
|design_date=1980
|manufacturer=[[Degtyarev plant]]<ref name=vaplant>{{cite web|title=V.A. Degtyarev Plant: 9M120 (9M120F) Ataka Missile|url=http://zid.ru/eng/products/90/detail/212|website=Open Joint Stock Company V.A. Degtyarev Plant|access-date=18 July 2014}}</ref>
| developed_from = [[9K114 Shturm]]
|production_date=1980s–present
|variants=See [[#Variants|''Variants'']]
<!-- General specifications -->
|spec_label=9M120 Ataka<ref name=airu>{{cite web|title=9M120 ATAKA-B|url=http://www.airwar.ru/weapon/aat/ataka.html|website=airwar.ru|access-date=18 July 2014|language=ru}}</ref>
|weight={{convert|49.5|kg|lb|abbr=on|lk=on}}
|length={{convert|1830|mm|in|abbr=on|lk=on}}
|diameter={{convert|130|mm|in|abbr=on}}
<!-- Explosive specifications -->
|filling=[[HEAT]] [[tandem warhead]]
|filling_weight={{convert|7.4|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
|detonation=Impact
<!-- Vehicle/missile specifications -->
|vehicle_range={{convert|0.4–6|km|abbr=on|lk=on}}
|speed={{convert|550|m/s|ft/s Mach|abbr=on|lk=on}}, <small>maximum</small><br>{{convert|400|m/s|ft/s Mach|abbr=on}}, <small>average</small>
|guidance=Radio command link [[SACLOS]]
<!-- Missiles only -->
|wingspan={{convert|360|mm|in|abbr=on}}
|ceiling=0–{{convert|4000|m|mi|abbr=on|lk=in}}
|accuracy=0.65–0.9 hit probability against an [[main battle tank|MBT]] from a distance of 4&nbsp;km.<ref name=airu />
|launch_platform=[[Armored fighting vehicles]] and [[helicopters]]
}}

The '''9M120 ''Ataka''''' ({{langx|ru|Атака}}; ''Attack'') is an [[anti-tank guided missile]] (ATGM) originating from the [[Soviet Union]].<ref name=airu /> The [[NATO reporting name]] of the 9M120 missile is the '''AT-9 ''Spiral-2'''''. It is the next major generation in the [[9K114 Shturm]] (AT-6 Spiral) family. The missile has [[radio command guidance]] and is also a [[beam riding]] [[SACLOS]]. This missile's primary variant was designed to defeat tanks with [[composite armour]] and [[explosive reactive armor]]. The 9M120 Ataka system is often confused with the [[9K121 Vikhr]] system, despite being different weapons systems developed by different companies. The former was designed by the KBM machine-building design bureau and manufactured by the Degtyarev plant. According to the [[Stockholm International Peace Research Institute]], Russia exported the Ataka ATGM to [[Iran]], [[Kazakhstan]], and [[Slovenia]].<ref name=sw>{{cite web|title=SIPRI Arms Transfers Database|url=http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php|website=Stockholm International Peace Research Institute|access-date=18 July 2014}}</ref>

==Development==
The 9M120 missile was developed by the Kolomna engineering design bureau, located in [[Kolomna]].<ref name=kbm /> This company already designed previous ATGMs, such as the 9M14 Malyutka and 9M114 Kokon missiles. The design work began in the mid 1980s. The Ataka ATGM was designed as a successor model to and a further development of the 9K114 Shturm, which was introduced in the late 1970s. Compared to its predecessor, the AT-9 is more resistant to electronic countermeasures, and has a greater hit accuracy and longer reach. The newly developed warhead allows for increased penetration power and effectiveness against [[explosive reactive armor]]. The first units were delivered in 1985 to the Soviet armed forces.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Hull|first1=A.W.|last2=Markov|first2=D.R.|last3=Zaloga|first3=S.J.|title=Soviet/Russian Armor and Artillery Design Practices 1945 to Present|date=1999|publisher=Darlington Production|isbn=1-892848-01-5}}</ref>

The missile has often been confused in the West with the 9A4172 [[Vikhr]] dual-purpose laser beam riding missile used on the Kamov helicopters and Sukhoi attack aircraft. These systems are completely unrelated in their design and are in fierce competition. New light multifunctional guided missiles with increased range – up to 25 kilometers – have been developed and received for Russian attack helicopters on the outcomes of the military operation in Syria.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.airrecognition.com/index.php/archive-world-worldwide-news-air-force-aviation-aerospace-air-military-defence-industry/global-defense-security-news/2019-news-aerospace-industry-air-force/march/4909-news-feed-russia-s-modernized-mi-28nm-attack-helicopter-to-get-new-guided-missile.html|title = Russia's modernized Mi-28NM attack helicopter to get new guided missile}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tass.com/defense/1329883|title = Russia mass-produces cutting-edge missile for combat helicopters, says defense firm}}</ref>

==Description==
[[Image:BMPT at Engineering Technologies 2012 (8).jpg|thumb|left|The primary armaments of the [[BMPT]] include four Ataka-T missiles with two mounted on each side.<ref>{{cite web|title=UralVagonZavod – Boyevaya mashina ognevoy podderzhki Terminator|url=http://uvz.ru/product/70/39|website=UralVagonZavod|access-date=5 July 2014|language=ru|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140625054318/http://uvz.ru/product/70/39|archive-date=25 June 2014|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>]]
The Ataka missile is stored in a glass reinforced plastic tube, which also acts as its launcher. The missile is reported to be considerably faster than the [[9K114 Shturm]], with longer range than the original version. It still uses radio command guidance, but the system has been improved when compared to the earlier 9K114 Shturm.

The system is carried by the multiple kinds of helicopters including the [[Mi-28]] and [[Mi-35]]. It is also offered for ground vehicles like the [[BMPT]] and the [[MT-LB#Variants|9P149]].

There are three main missiles that are compatible with the launch system. The first is a two-stage anti-armour weapon that features a tandem warhead for dealing with add-on armor. The second variant of the missile – designated as 9M120F – has a [[thermobaric]] warhead for use against infantry positions and bunkers. The third variant of the 9M120 Ataka is the 9M220, which features a proximity fused expanding rod warhead, providing the missile with Surface-to-Air capability against low- and slow-flying aircraft.

==Variants==
[[Image:9P149 vehicle with 9M144 missiles of anti-tank complex «Shturm-S» in Military-historical Museum of Artillery, Engineer and Signal Corps in Saint-Petersburg, Russia.jpg|thumb|The [[MT-LB#Variants|9P149]] combat vehicle carries 12 Ataka missiles.<ref name=vaplant />]]

*'''9M120 Ataka''' "''AT-9'' ''Spiral-2''" [[SACLOS]] radio command guidance missile.<ref name=airu />
**'''9M120''' – This variant features a [[tandem HEAT]] warhead to defeat current and future armored fighting vehicles equipped with [[explosive reactive armor|ERA]].
**'''9M120F''' – This variant uses a [[thermobaric]] warhead for greater effect against buildings, unarmored targets, and bunkers.
**'''9M220O''' – This variant is included with an [[continuous-rod warhead|expanding rod]] warhead for use against helicopters. It is equipped with a proximity fuse to destroy aircraft, and detonates its fragmentation warhead when less than four meters from the target.
**'''9M120M''' – A modernized variant with an extended range of 8,000 m. The improved warhead can penetrate over 950&nbsp;mm of RHA after ERA.
**'''9M120D''' – An improved variant with a range of 10&nbsp;km
*'''9M120-1 Ataka''' – Upgraded Ataka missiles used by Ataka-T GWS.<ref name="urlATAKA-T guided weapon system | JOINT STOCK COMPANY RESEARCH AND PRODUCTION CORPORATION KONSTRUKTORSKOYE BYURO MASHYNOSTROYENIYA">{{cite web |url=https://www.kbm.ru/en/production/ptrk/478.html |title=ATAKA-T guided weapon system &#124; JOINT STOCK COMPANY RESEARCH AND PRODUCTION CORPORATION KONSTRUKTORSKOYE BYURO MASHYNOSTROYENIYA }}</ref><ref name="urlBMP-3M with Ataka 9m120-1 anti-tank guided missile Army-2017 12508172 | Army-2017 Show Daily News Coverage Report | Defence security military exhibition 2017 daily news category">{{cite web |url=https://www.armyrecognition.com/army-2017_show_daily_news_coverage_report/bmp-3m_with_ataka_9m120-1_anti-tank_guided_missile_army-2017_12508172.html |title=BMP-3M with Ataka 9m120-1 anti-tank guided missile Army-2017 12508172 &#124; Army-2017 Show Daily News Coverage Report &#124; Defence security military exhibition 2017 daily news category }}</ref>
*'''9M127-1 Ataka-VM''' - New air to surface version for helicopters.<ref name="urlArmy 2018: Russian Helicopters pitches new Mi-24 upgrade | Janes 360">{{cite web |url=https://www.janes.com/article/82567/army-2018-russian-helicopters-pitches-new-mi-24-upgrade |title=Army 2018: Russian Helicopters pitches new Mi-24 upgrade &#124; Jane's 360 }}</ref>

==General specifications==
[[Image:Mi-28N (7).jpg|thumb|The [[Mi-28]] attack helicopter carries 16 Ataka missiles for anti-tank missions.<ref name=vaplant />]]
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:95%"
|-
! Designation
! Description
! Length
! Diameter
! Wingspan
! Launch weight
! Warhead
! Armor penetration, [[rolled homogeneous armor|RHA]]
! Range
! Speed
|-
|9M120
|Original variant
|rowspan=4 |{{convert|1830|mm|in|abbr=on}}
|rowspan=4 |{{convert|130|mm|in|abbr=on}}
|rowspan=4 |{{convert|360|mm|in|abbr=on}}
|rowspan=4 |{{convert|49.5|kg|abbr=on}}
|{{convert|7.4|kg|abbr=on}} [[tandem HEAT]]
|{{convert|800|mm|in|abbr=on}} after ERA
|{{convert|0.4–6|km|abbr=on}}
| rowspan=4 | {{convert|550|m/s|ft/s Mach|abbr=on}}, <small>top speed</small><br>{{convert|400|m/s|ft/s Mach|abbr=on}}, <small>average</small>
|-
|9M120F
|Anti-personnel variant
|Thermobaric warhead with {{convert|9.5|kg|abbr=on}} TNT equivalent
|rowspan=2 {{N/A}}
|{{convert|1–5.8|km|abbr=on}}
|-
|9M220O
|Anti-air variant
|Proximity Fuse
|{{convert|0.4–7|km|abbr=on}}
|-
|9M120M
|Modernized anti-tank variant
|{{convert|7.4|kg|abbr=on}} tandem HEAT
|{{convert|950|mm|in|abbr=on}} after ERA
|{{convert|0.8–8|km|abbr=on}}
|}

==Operators==
[[File:9M120 operators.png|thumb|upright=1.35|M9M120 operators: {{legend|#0360d5|Current}}{{legend|#dc0023|Former}}]]

===Current operators===
;{{ALG}}
*[[Algerian Air Force]] – used on [[Mil Mi-24|Mi-24MKIII]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lematindz.net/news/4644-des-helicopteres-russes-pour-lalgerie.html|title = Des hélicoptères russes pour l'Algérie}}</ref> [[Mil Mi-17|Mi 171Sh2]]<ref>{{Cite web|last=Akramov|date=2018-05-17|title=Une upgrade du Mi171 en format tueur de char pour l'Algérie|url=https://www.menadefense.net/algerie/une-upgrade-du-mi171-en-format-tueur-de-char-pour-lalgerie/|access-date=2020-12-19|website=MENADEFENSE|language=fr-FR}}</ref> and [[Mil Mi-28]] helicopters.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://red-stars.org/spip.php?article55 |title=Mi-28 Havoc - REDSTARS |access-date=15 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303174110/http://red-stars.org/spip.php?article55 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |url-status=usurped }}</ref>
*[[People's National Army (Algeria)|Algerian Ground Forces]] – used on the [[BMPT Terminator]].
;{{AZE}}
*[[Azerbaijani Air Forces]] – used on [[Mil Mi-35]]M helicopters.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mitzer |first1=Stijn |last2=Oliemans |first2=Joost |title=Azerbaijan's Emerging Arsenal Of Deterrent |url=https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2021/10/azerbaijans-emerging-arsenal-of.html |website=Oryx |date=17 October 2021}}</ref>
;{{flag|Belarus}}
*[[Armed Forces of Belarus]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://airrecognition.com/index.php/focus-analysis-photo-report-aviation-defence-industry/aviation-defence-industry-technology/5625-analysis-belarus-receives-two-first-su-30sm-fighters.html|title=Analysis: Belarus receives two first Su-30SM fighters}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://armstrade.org/includes/periodics/news/2021/0312/132561983/detail.shtml|title=ЦАМТО / / В Вооруженные Силы Беларуси поступила первая партия управляемых ракет 9М120 «Атака"}}</ref>
;{{EGY}}
*[[Egyptian Air Force]] - used on [[Ka-52]] and [[Mil Mi-24]] helicopters.
;{{IND}}
*[[Indian Air Force]] - Purchased in July 2019, deliveries began in December 2019. 20 [[Mil Mi-35]] helicopters have been modified to deploy the missile as of July 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-15 |title=Kornet to Nag missiles: Army's anti-tank warfare capabilities have undergone paradigm shift |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/army-day-2024-indian-army-anti-tank-warfare-capabilities-nag-helina-missiles-2488905-2024-01-15 |access-date=2025-01-14 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>
;{{INA}}
*[[Indonesian Army]] – Used on [[Mil Mi-24|Mi-35P]] attack helicopters.
;{{IRN}}<ref name="sw" />
*[[Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force|Iranian Air Force]] – In 1999, 500 AT-6 Spiral missiles were ordered for the [[Mi-17]]1Sh. The delivery started in 2000 and ended in 2003 with some of these missiles possibly being AT-9 Spiral-2s.
;{{KAZ}}<ref name="sw" />
*[[Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan]] – 120 missiles were ordered in 2010 for the BMPT tank support vehicle. In 2011, 40 were delivered.
;{{RUS}}
*[[Russian Armed Forces]] – Operated on a wide range of vehicles ranging from helicopters to ATGM carriers.
;{{SRB}}
*[[Serbian Air Force and Air Defence]] – used on [[Mil Mi-24|Mi-35]] attack helicopters.
;{{SVN}}<ref name="sw" />
*[[Slovenian Armed Forces]] – Six launchers were ordered in 2009 and mounted on patrol boat "Triglav" the following year.
;{{SYR}}
*[[Syrian Armed Forces]] – used on the [[BMPT Terminator]].
;{{VEN}}
*[[Venezuelan Army]] Aviation used on [[Mil Mi-35]]M2 helicopters.

===Possible operators===
;{{DPRK}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.military-today.com/missiles/ataka.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220404220117/http://www.military-today.com/missiles/ataka.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-date=4 April 2022 |title = Ataka Anti-Tank Guided Missile {{!}} Military-Today.com}}</ref>

===Former operators===
;{{USSR}} – Passed on to successor states.
;{{BRA}} 
*[[Brazilian Air Force]] – used on [[Mil Mi-35]] helicopters.
;

==See also==
*{{lwc|AGM-114 Hellfire}}
*{{lwc|9K121 Vikhr}}
*{{lwc|9M123 Khrizantema}}
*{{lwc|PARS 3 LR}}
*{{lwc|Spike (missile)|Spike}}
*{{lwc|9K114 Shturm}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*{{YouTube|id=_LB9YmYfPyU|title=SHTURM-ATAKA Russian ATGM! (English subtitles)}}
*{{YouTube|id=fczHVqI6jK8|title=ПТУР «Атака». Эксклюзивные кадры стрельбы (The antitank guided missile Ataka)}}

{{Russian and Soviet Aircraft Ordnance}}
{{Russian and Soviet missiles|ATM}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}

[[Category:Anti-tank guided missiles of the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:KB Mashinostroyeniya products]]
[[Category:Degtyarev Plant products]]
[[Category:Weapons and ammunition introduced in 1985]]