The AT-6 Spiral (NATO reporting name) anti-tank guided missile, or 9K114 Shturm is much larger than its predecessors created by the Soviet Union. This weapon is a tube-launched, SACLOS-guided missile that is mounted atop the Mi-24/HIND E helicopter as a replacement for the AT-2/Swatter variant that was found on previous HIND models. Attachment points may be found on each wing tip of the HIND E for the two Spiral launch tubes. The AT-6 Spiral system was adapted for the Mi-24V helicopter (and was later used on Mi-28 and Ka-29 helicopters) and the missile was titled the 9M1114 Kokon. The weight of the Kokon missile is 31.8 kilograms, and includes a 6-kilogram warhead.

Introduced in 1978, the AT-6 Spiral ATGM launcher is a long-range standoff weapon that was designed for the HIND attack helicopter. It has often been incorrectly labeled as a laser-guided weapon similar to the American Hellfire. This erroneous assessment has caused the AT-6 to be credited with an unrealistic range of 7,000 to 10,000 meters, when in reality it has a maximum range of 5,000 meters. This missile reaches an approximate speed of 450 meters per second. The helicopter must keep the target in its sight throughout its entire flight. The warhead contains two tandem HEAT charges that are effective against 600 to 700 mm of rolled homogenous steel armor.

Unlike the AT-4 Spigot and AT-5 Spandrel, the AT-6 is not wire-guided. The SACLOS system with infrared missile tracking and radio guidance operated similarly to its predecessors sans the wire-guiding system. Instead, the AT-6 Spiral uses radio to transmit commands to the missile from the operator.

Other AT-6 Spiral ATGM launcher models include:

• 9M114 AT-6A – Spiral Shturm SACLOS

• 9M114M – HEAT warhead

• 9M114F – Thermobaric warhead

• 9M114M1 AT-6B – Spiral Shturm SACLOS with 6-kilometer range and 7.4-kilogram warhead

• 9M114M2 AT-6C – Spiral Shturm SACLOS with a 7-kilometer range and 7.4-kilogram warhead

• 9M120/9M120F/9M220O AT-9 Spiral-2 Shturm-VM

For additional information on the AT-6 Spiral, other anti-armor and anti-tank weapons, military training and education, or for defense procurement services, contact the experts at UDC USA today.