Russia to start batch production of advanced antit

Russia to start batch production of advanced antitank systems
23.04.01. 14:36


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Russia has started the batch production of improved Vikhr (Whirlwind) antitank missile systems. According to Academy of Military Sciences experts, they are designed for assault helicopters and front aviation planes and capable of hitting both ground and air targets, the latter flying as fast as 800 km/h. The 6kg tandem warhead easily pierces armor of modern foreign tanks (its maximum armor piercing capacity is 1,000mm) at a distance of up to 10km.

Military experts believe Vikhr is able to outdo in the world arms market America's much advertised Hellfire antitank missile, which has a range of 6km and can pierce 900mm-thick armor.

New Russian helicopters, Ka-50 and Ka-52, are able to carry as many as 12 missiles in pylons and hit several targets at once while attacking. There are no weapons against the Russian missile, because it flies at a supersonic speed and takes 9 seconds to cover 4 kilometers (Hellfire 15 seconds). Launches are at a height of 5 meters and therefore no enemy antiaircraft weapons have time enough to react to missile strikes. Vikhr may remain in storage during 10 years without servicing and keeps its combat characteristics.