Kornets

Kornets is the name given to a family of Russian anti-tank guided missiles developed by the KBP Instrument Design Bureau in the 1990s. The missiles are launched from portable, shoulder-fired launch tubes or vehicle-mounted systems, and are designated 9M133 in Russian service. NATO has assigned the designation AT-14 Spriggan to the family.

Guidance is semi-automatic command to line of sight (SACLOS) with laser guidance, where the operator keeps the target in the sight and the launcher transmits steering commands to the missile via a laser beam. The warhead is a tandem high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) design intended to defeat armored targets and reactive armor. Standard Kornet variants have a reported range of about 4 to 5.5 kilometers; longer-range variants extend to roughly 8 kilometers.

System variants include the basic 9K131 Kornet, and the upgraded 9K133 Kornet-EM, which offers longer range, improved penetration, and integration with modern fire-control and sighting systems. The missiles are deployed from man-portable launch tubes, tripods, or mounted on light armored vehicles and tracked or wheeled platforms. The family has also been adapted into dedicated vehicle-mounted launch systems for infantry and reconnaissance units.

Operational history: Kornets have been deployed by Russian forces and by various export customers. They have been used in several regional conflicts and by non-state actors, where their ability to defeat main battle tanks at several kilometers remains a notable capability. As an export product, Kornet variants have appeared in multiple regions and continue to influence anti-tank weapon design.