Thread by @ChungTzuW

(1/24) Let's move on to the 9K112-1 Kobra KUV (комплекс управляемого вооружения — 'guided weapons complex').

(2/24) The Kobra KUV's history is a bit long and complicated, dating back to the unsuccessful Rubin missile of the Object 431 from 1957 (shown here). Developed under Aleksandr Nudelman, prior to 1966 it was known as 'Gvozd' ('Nail').

https://t.co/ScsZvzlHaBbtvt.info/3attackdefense…

(3/24) Before we continue, it should be noted that the GRAU had (has) different designations for missile complexes and their components. Sometimes the missile itself might have a different name to the complex as a whole. This can lead to confusion.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Miss…

(4/24) Example: strictly speaking, '9K111-1 Konkurs' refers to the entire system consisting of the 9M113 missile + 9P148 (upper) or 9P135M (lower) platforms combined.

(5/24) The 9M113 missile itself has the name 'Gaboy', but this name is so obscure today that most people just call it 'Konkurs', after the entire complex.

https://t.co/MDygt9GBX9studylib.ru/doc/6337606/ko…

(6/24) Anyway, the 9K112-1 Kobra KUV was introduced with the T-64B in 1976, with the characteristic GTN-12 antenna block.

(7/24) The T-64B1 does not have Kobra KUV, and hence lacks the GTN-12. However, T-64B1s are, to use the naval term, 'fitted for but not with' the Kobra KUV and can be given it if desired.

(8/24) The Kobra KUV consists of many components, of which the GTN-12 is only one. It also technically includes parts of the 1A33 Ob SUO, and they are integrated as the Ob-Kobra complex.

(9/24) The Kobra KUV relies on radio-command SACLOS (semi-automatic command to line-of-sight) guidance. It is aimed using the 1G42 sight of the Ob SUO. The gunner must keep his sight on the target until impact, and the system will correct the missile onto his LOS.

(10/24) The 9M112 Kobra missile has an onboard modulated light source, which is tracked by the ZGTN-25 photodetector integrated into the 1G42 sight. Corrections are then sent by the system to the missile through the GTN-12 antenna, completing the SACLOS loop.

(11/24) The Kobra KUV operates on 5 frequency and 2 encoding settings. The 9M112 missile (left) and GTN-2 control unit (upper) must be set to the same frequency. The encoding is set on the GTN-11 transmitter (lower).

(12/24) These allow multiple Kobra-equipped tanks to operate in proximity with each other. It even allows two T-64Bs to engage the same target with the Kobra without interfering with each other as long as they are > 30 m apart.

(13/24) The 9M112 Kobra missile itself consists of two parts: the front half contains the 9N129 warhead, four sustainer motors and solid propellant, while the rear half contains the guidance electronics and control surfaces, as well as the 9D129 launch charge.

(14/24) The missile can only be stored in the MZ autoloader (it cannot fit into the extra stowage), which clips it together before ramming it into the gun breech.

(15/24) The 9M112 has 3 flight modes: (1) 'standard', (2) 'overflight', (3) 'D < 1000'. These can be set automatically using data from the laser rangefinder, but the gunner can also set them manually.

(16/24) In the 'standard' and 'overflight' modes, the missile is launched at a 3° elevation relative to the LOS. In the former, the missile will quickly descend to the LOS and remain there until it hits the target.

It is automatically used for ranges between 1–1.92 km.

(17/24) In 'overflight' mode, the missile stays at 3–5 m above the LOS until ~2 s before impact, when it descends to the LOS.

It is automatically used for ranges between 1.92–4.155 km. It is also recommended for use in dusty conditions and at night.

(18/24) As you might have guessed, 'D < 1000' mode is for use against targets less than 1 km away. In this mode, the gun is fired close to the LOS (40' elevation).

(19/24) For all its advanced features, the Kobra KUV had some problems. These included a potential vulnerability to jamming and detection due to the radio signals it uses. It was also expensive (a T-64B costing about 20% more than a T-64B1 without Kobra).

(20/24) It can also pose a health hazard to personnel within 100 m of the tank and in a 30° arc within the turret LOS, due to the intense high-frequency radiation. If the waveguide malfuncttions, the Kobra can end up irradiating the tank crew as well.

(21/24) The Kobra KUV would be replaced by the laser-guided 9K119 Refleks KUV on the T-80U and T-72B. However, the T-64B would never get it before production ended in 1987.

(22/24) According to Yuri Apukhtin, a former KhKBM engineer, the Refleks' chief designer, Ardaky Shipunov, never forgave KhKBM chief designer Nikolai Shomin for rejecting his missile for the T-64B. Thus, the T-64B would soldier on with the Kobra.

(23/24) Ukraine no longer uses the 9M112 (the missile stock is long age-expired). On some modernised T-64s, the Kobra KUV has been removed, while the BM Bulat uses the Kombat, a laser-guided missile similar to the Refleks.

(24/24) However, some modernised T-64BVs still keep the Kobra KUV. Perhaps it was more expedient to just leave it? Or have the Ukrainians perfected a secret microwave death ray using it? You be the judge.

(Technically the T-72B uses the 9K120 Svir KUV, but it's effectively the same missile, just guided using the 1K13 night sight instead of the 1G46 of the T-80U)

(Also forgot to mention this Yuri Apukhtin is the same one who tried to proclaim a 'Kharkov People's Republic' in 2014 and was sentenced to 6 years in prison in 2017)

archive.kyivpost.com/ukraine-politi…