Kornet-EM Anti-Tank Guided Missile System

The Kornet-EM anti tank guided missile system is designed and manufactured by KBP Instrument Design Bureau. Image courtesy of Vitaly V. Kuzmin.

The Kornet-EM long-range missile system was unveiled at the Moscow Airshow (MAKS) in August 2011. Image courtesy of Vitaly V. Kuzmin.

The Kornet-EM system can perform salvo firing at two targets simultaneously. Image courtesy of Vitaly V. Kuzmin.

The thermal imaging sight of the Kornet-EM can continuously operate for approximately one and half hour. Image courtesy of Vitaly V. Kuzmin.

The Kornet-EM is a multi-purpose anti tank guided missile system designed and manufactured by KBP Instrument Design Bureau. The long-range missile system was unveiled at the Moscow Airshow (MAKS) in August 2011. The system was also demonstrated at the Russian Arms Expo (RAE) in September 2013.

The missile system is designed to destroy advanced and modern tanks fitted with explosive reactive armour, light-armoured vehicles and fortifications. It can also engage surface-level marine and low-speed aerial targets at ranges between 150m and 10,000m.

Kornet-EM missile system design and features

The Kornet-EM missile system is an upgraded version of the Kornet anti tank missile system. The new system is designed to penetrate explosive reactive armour from 1,100mm to 1,300mm and offers high immunity against jamming.

It can fire three missiles including the 9М133М-2 antitank guided missile, 9М133FМ-2 guided missile and 9М133FМ-3 guided missile.

The twin Kornet-EM salvo firing unit mounted on the vehicle’s platform carries an ammunition load of 16 pieces, including eight ready-to-fire missiles.

Launcher variants of Kornet-EM

The Kornet-EM is available in two configurations, which include an automatic launcher for deployment on carriers and a transportable launcher for combat operations under different environmental conditions.

The automatic launcher is controlled by an automatic and laser beam riding guidance system. It is fitted with high resolution cameras and third generation thermal imaging sight. Each launcher module weighs 75.2kg.

The automatic launcher can lay missiles at an azimuth angle of ±180° and elevations between -5° and +45° for ranges between 200m and 15,000m. It engages the targets automatically and can perform salvo firing at two targets simultaneously.

The Kornet-EM system can also destroy armoured targets equipped with explosive reactor armour (ERA), by firing two missiles in a single beam. The system can be deployed on various carriers with small loading capacity.

Kornet-EM portable-transportable launcher

The portable-transportable launcher of the Kornet-EM can be installed on wheeled and tracked vehicles. It can fire at an azimuth of 360° and elevation ranging from -5° to +20°.

A sighting channel with variable magnification of 12х to 20х is fitted to the Kornet-EM portable-transportable launcher to increase the range of target detection and reduce sighting errors. The system also features a laser beam riding guidance system.

The launcher weighs 26kg, while the thermal imaging sight weighs 8.7kg. The thermal imaging sight design is based on the matrix photo-detector design equipped with thermal enclosure system. The thermal imaging sight can continuously operate for approximately 1.5 hours and can be cooled in just seven minutes. It uses the power generated by the battery.

Details of the Kornet-EM missiles

The 9М133М-2 antitank guided missile travels at a speed of 300m/s and can be fired against targets ranging between 150m and 8,000m. The missile weighs 31kg including the 1,210mm long container. The missile can penetrate into armour with thicknesses between 1,100m and 1,300mm.

The 9М133FМ-2 guided missile weighs 31kg and has a 1,210mm long container. The missile travels at a speed of 300m/s and can reach a maximum distance of 8,000m. The explosive force of the missile is 10kg TNT equivalent.

The 9М133FМ-2 guided missile weighs 33kg and has an explosive force of 7kg TNT equivalent. The maximum speed and range of the missile are 320m/s and 10,000m respectively.

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