9K115 Metis (AT-7 Saxhorn) Russian Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM)

The 9K115 Metis (English: "Mongrel"; NATO reporting name AT-7 Saxhorn) is a man-portable, tube-launched, SACLOS wire-guided anti-tank guided missile of the Soviet Union. It is considered the Soviet counterpart to the American M47 Dragon ATGM. The relatively small AT-7 missile was generally underpowered compared to contemporary armored threats, and consequently, it was little exported and little used in combat. The missile was developed by the Tula KBP. It is very similar to the 9K111 Fagot in external appearance (having three main fins); however, the missile is much lighter—primarily because of the reduced fuel load, which reduces the maximum range to 1,000 meters (3,300 ft). During the 1980s, an upgraded version of the missile was developed—the Metis-M 9M131 (sometimes labeled Metis-2). Fired from the same launcher, the new missile is much larger and heavier, with an increased range and a larger warhead. The NATO designation for this missile is AT-13 Saxhorn-2. The missile is fired from the 9P151 launching post, which has a simple tripod for support. It can also be fired from the shoulder, but this apparently requires more skill on the part of the operator. The launching post weighs 10.2 kilograms (22 lb). The missile is launched from the tube by a booster rather than the gas generator used on the 9K111 Fagot system, despite both missiles being designed by the same design bureau. The 9S816 guidance system is powered by a thermal battery attached to the launch tube shortly before launch and the missile itself is remotely powered along the guidance wires. The missile can be launched from an enclosed space, such as a building or cave, but requires at least 6 meters (20 ft) behind the launcher, and a total internal volume of at least 100 cubic meters (3,500 cu ft). The missile has a short minimum range of 40 meters (130 ft) and can engage targets moving at up to 60 kilometers per hour (37 mph). The missile's warhead is a single HEAT-shaped charge that can penetrate 460 mm of armor.