View source for 9M123 Khrizantema

{{Infobox Weapon
|name= 9M123 Khrizantema
|image=[[Image:9M123 Khrizantema.JPG|300px]]
|caption=The 9M123 missile
|origin={{flag|Russia}}
|type=[[Anti-tank missile]] 
<!-- Type selection -->
|is_ranged=
|is_bladed=
|is_explosive=
|is_artillery=
|is_vehicle=
|is_missile=yes
|is_UK=
<!-- Service history -->
|service=2004-present
|used_by=[[Russia]]
|wars=
<!-- Production history -->
<!-- Production history -->
|designer=[[KBM]] ([[Kolomna]])
|design_date=
|manufacturer=KBM
|unit_cost=
|production_date=
|number=
|variants=9M123, 9M123-2, 9M123F, 9M123F-2
<!-- General specifications -->
|spec_label=9M123 
|weight=46 kg (54 kg with launch tube)
|length=2057 mm
|diameter=150 mm
<!-- Explosive specifications --> 
|filling=Tandem [[HEAT]] (9M123), [[Thermobaric]] (9M123F)
|filling_weight=8 kg (9M123), 6 kg (9M123F)
|detonation=Impact fuze
<!-- Vehicle/missile specifications -->
|wingspan=310 mm
|propellant=[[Solid-fuel rocket]]
|fuel_capacity=
|vehicle_range=400-6000m
|ceiling=
|altitude=
|boost=
|speed=400 m/s [[SACLOS]] 
|guidance=Radio command, [[SACLOS]] laser beam riding
|steering=Two control surfaces 
|accuracy=<5 m
|launch_platform=9P157-2 tank destroyer
|transport=
}}

The '''Khrizantema''' ({{lang-ru|"Хризантема"}}; {{lang-en|[[Chrysanthemum]]}}) is a [[Military of Russia|Russian]] [[anti-tank missile]]. Khrizantema was designed to deal with current and future generations of [[main battle tank]]s, such as the [[M1A2]] and [[Leopard 2]] and can also be used to engage slow and low flying aerial targets like [[helicopter]]s<ref name="KBM">{{cite web |url=http://www.kbm.ru/en/product/atgm/khrizantema-s |title=Khrizantema-S |accessdate=2008-11-06 |work=Konstruktorskoye Byuro Mashynostroyenia |date=2002-2008}}</ref>. The missile carries the [[GRAU]] designation '''9M123''' and the [[NATO reporting name]] '''AT-15 Springer'''<ref name="FAS">{{cite web |url=http://fmso.leavenworth.army.mil/Red-Star/issues/JAN97/JAN97.HTML#THREAT |title=Threat Update: The Khrizantema Missile System |accessdate=2009-05-02 |publisher=Red Thrust Star |work=US Army |author=Michael P. McGeever}}</ref>.

==Development==
The Khrizantema anti-tank missile was first unveiled in July 1996 by the Konstruktorskoye Byuro Mashynostroyenia (KBM) Engineering Design Bureau<ref name="FAS"/>. The missile had started development in the 1980s and was designed as an all weather, multi-purpose missile system that could defeat current and future armoured units equipped with advanced armour protection like [[explosive reactive armour]] (ERA)<ref name="NAROD">{{cite web |url=http://btvt.narod.ru/4/xrizantema.htm |title=МНОГОЦЕЛЕВОЙ РАКЕТНЫЙ КОМПЛЕКС 9К123 «ХРИЗАНТЕМА-С» |accessdate=2008-11-06 |work=btvt.narod.ru (Russian) |date=2003-2008}}</ref>. Khrizantema was envisaged as a replacement for a variety of different types of anti-tank missile that remained in service with the [[Soviet]] military, such as the [[9K114 Shturm]] and the [[9M120 Ataka-V]]. The system was expected to enter service with the [[Russian armed forces]] in 2004<ref name="NAROD"/>.

==Description==
The 9M123 missile itself is supersonic, flying at an average speed of 400 m/s or Mach 1.2 <ref name="NAROD"/> and a range of between 400 and 6000 meters<ref name="NAROD"/>. Propulsion is by way of a single solid fuel [[rocket]] motor with two exhausts on either side of the missile.  The off-set exhausts cause the missile to spin during flight with guidance control provided by two pop-out control surfaces at the rear of the missile (four additional surfaces help stabilise the missile during flight). The Khrizantema is unique among Russian anti-tank guided missiles as depending on the variant the missile can either be guided by [[laser]] or [[radar]]. The radar guidance mode uses radio command guidance and a millimeter wave radar to track the target and the missile while generating guidance commands, this allows fully automatic target engagement<ref name="KBM"/>. When guided using the a laser, targets need to be continually illumiated, a sensor in the rear section enables the missile to ride the laser beam to the target, this is a [[SACLOS]] guidance system. The guidance system allows two missiles to be fired at two separate targets at once with one missile guided by laser and the other by radar<ref name="FAS"/>. Each missile carries a [[tandem HEAT]] with a reported penetration of 1100-1250&nbsp;mm [[RHA]] behind [[explosive reactive armour]] (ERA)<ref name="Ros">{{cite web |url=http://www.rusarm.ru/cataloque/lanforces_cataloque.html |title=Land Forces Weapons Export Catalogue 2003 |accessdate=2008-11-08 |publisher=Rosoboronexport}}</ref>, alternatively a thermobaric warhead can be carried to engage soft-skinned targets, fortifications and manpower<ref name="NAROD"/>.

The 9M123 missile together with its associated guidance system forms the 9K123 missile system.  It is currently only launched from the 9P157-2 Khrizantema-S [[tank destroyer]], based on the [[BMP-3]] chassis. The 9P157-2 carries two 9M123 missiles on launch rails which are extended from a stowed position, the radar is also stowed during transit. Missile are re-loaded automatically by the tank destroyer from an internal magazine with 15 rounds (missiles are stored and transported in sealed canisters) and can also accept munitions manually loaded from outside the vehicle<ref name="KBM"/>. Three 9P157-2 tank destroyers are credited with being able to engage 14 attacking tanks and ensuring destruction of no less than 60% of the attacking force<ref name="KBM"/>. The dual guidance system ensures protection against [[electronic countermeasures]] and operation in all climatic conditions, day or night. [[NBC]] protection is provided for the crew (gunner and driver) of each 9P157-2 in addition to full armour protection equivalent to the standard BMP-3 chassis and entrenching equipment.

==Variants==
*9M123 - Laser guidance with tandem HEAT warhead.
*9M123-2 - Radar guidance with tandem HEAT warhead.
*9M123F - Laser guidance with thermobaric warhead.
*9M123F-2 - Radar guidance with thermobaric warhead.

==Operators==
{{flag|Russia}}

==See also==
[[AT-14 Kornet]]

==External links==
* [http://www.kbm.ru/en/product/atgm/khrizantema-s Konstruktorskoye Byuro Mashynostroyenia]
* [http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=L9StN1oNNCA YouTube Khrizantema-s]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Russian and Soviet missiles|ATM}}

[[Category:Modern anti-tank missiles]]
[[Category:Anti-tank missiles of Russia]]

[[cs:Chrizantema]]
[[de:AT-15 Sprigger]]
[[it:AT-15 Springer]]
[[he:כריזנטמה (טיל)]]
[[ru:Хризантема (ПТРК)]]
[[tr:AT-15 Khrizantema]]
[[vi:9M123 Khrizantema]]
[[Category:2Fix]]