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Skif (anti-tank guided missile)

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For the gun-launched antitank guided missile, see Stugna.
Skif (Stugna-P)
A Skif on a tripod.
TypeATGM
Place of originUkraine
Service history
In service2011–present[1]
Used bySee Users
WarsWar in Donbas
Russian invasion of Ukraine
Production history
DesignerKyiv Design Bureau "Luch",
OJSC Peleng
VariantsSee Variants
Specifications
Mass97 kg (214 lb); full system including missile 104 kg (229 lb)
Diameter130 mm, 152 mm
Detonation
mechanism
Impact fuze
Operational
range
  • Day: 5/5.5 km
  • Night: 3 km
Guidance
system
Laser beam riding with target tracking in TV or thermal imaging channels in manual or auto mode[2]
Steering
system
Manual or automatic
Launch
platform
Tripod, vehicle mount on remote weapon station (RWS)

The Skif, also known as the Stugna-P or Stuhna-P, is a Ukrainian anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) system developed in the early 2010s by the Luch Design Bureau, a unit of UkrOboronProm.[2][1][3] The initial guidance device PN-S (ПН-С) of the Skif was developed and manufactured by Belarusian design bureau Peleng based in Minsk.[4]

The Skif is designed to destroy modern armored targets with combined carried or monolithic armor, including explosive reactive armor (ERA). The Skif can attack both stationary and moving targets. It can be used to attack from both long range (up to 5 kilometres [3.1 mi] in the daytime) and close range (100 metres; 330 ft). It can attack point targets such as weapon emplacements, lightly armored objects, and hovering helicopters. The Skif has two targeting modes: manually steered, and automated fire-and-forget that uses no manual tracking of a target.[2][5] In 2018, an upgraded export variant of the Skif was tested by the Ukrainian military.[6]

The Skif ATGM system should not be confused with the Stugna 100-mm gun-launched anti-tank missile.[7]

Etymology and spelling

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Skif (Ukrainian: скіф) is the Ukrainian word for Scythian. The name Stugna-P (Russian) or Stuhna-P (Ukrainian: Стугна-П) is after the river Stuhna, a right tributary of the Dnipro.

Design

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The Skif consists of a tripod, PDU-215 remote control panel, guidance device, and thermographic camera (thermal imager).[2][1] Each round of ammunition comes in its own canister of either 130 or 152 mm diameter.

The PDU-215 control panel is a briefcase-like laptop computer with a control panel, holding a small joystick and a flat-panel display, that is connected to the firing unit by a cable, allowing it be used at distances up to 50 metres (160 ft) away. Two firing modes are available: manual, and fire-and-forget. Fire-and-forget provides automatic control of the missile flight using a targeting laser beam.[1]

A three to four-person team is optimal for deploying the Skif. Operators require specially-made backpacks. Once the missile is fired, the operator controls the Skif and corrects the aim when needed, by using the joystick on the remote control. The Skif's system has a shelf life of 15 years. The missiles have a 10-year shelf life.

The system comes complete with 130 mm and 152 mm caliber missiles in transport and launching containers. Tandem charge high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) RK-2S warheads might be able to counter medium weight main battle tanks such as the T-90A with penetration of 800 millimetres (31 in) behind ERA. RK-2M-K warheads might be able to counter heavy main battle tanks such as M1A2 Abrams with their penetration of 1,100 millimetres (43 in) behind ERA. The system also includes high explosive (HE) fragmentation RK-2OF and RK-2М-OF warheads to attack infantry positions and light armored vehicles. The system can use all four types of missiles with no modification. The system's thermal imager can be used during night operations.[2][1] According to a 2014 article, SLX-Hawk thermal imaging camera produced by Selex ES can be installed for use at night and in poor visibility conditions.[8] The Ukrainian military only uses the 130 mm caliber missiles, as the 152 mm versions were made to compete against the Russian Kornet-EM on the export market.[9]

The upgraded Skif-M was unveiled in 2022, which has improvements such as a lighter tripod, a revised traverse and elevation housing, a new lightweight remote-control panel, new batteries to power the launcher and panel, and the new PN-U sighting and guidance unit (SGU) which includes a laser rangefinder. The Luch Design Bureau said the Skif-M had been delivered to the Ukrainian armed forces in September 2023.[9]

Variants

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The launcher can fire three types of ammunition, with two different calibers.[2]

130 mm missiles

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Skif firing from a concealed position by remote control

System configuration with 130 mm missiles using RK-2S and RK-2OF warheads.

  • Missile caliber: 130 mm
  • Firing range (day): 100–5,000 metres (110–5,470 yd)
  • Firing range (night): 100–3,000 metres (110–3,280 yd)
  • Full system weight: 97 kilograms (214 lb)[3]
  • Missile in container weight: 30 kilograms (66 lb)
  • Warhead penetration:
  • Container length: 1,360 millimetres (54 in)

152 mm missiles

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Skif and Aselsan Eye-LR-S thermal imaging camera

System configuration with 152 mm missiles using RK-2M-K and RK-2М-OF warheads:

  • Missile caliber: 152 mm
  • Firing range (day): 100–5,500 metres (110–6,010 yd)
  • Firing range (night): 100–3,000 metres (110–3,280 yd)
  • Full system weight: 104 kilograms (229 lb)[3]
  • Missile in container weight: 37 kilograms (82 lb)
  • Warhead penetration:
    • RK-2M-K tandem-charge HEAT: Not less than 1,200 millimetres (47 in) RHA behind ERA
    • RK-2М-OF HE-fragmentation: Not less than 120 millimetres (4.7 in) RHA with at least 1000 fragments
  • Container length: 1,360 millimetres (54 in)

SERDAR

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SERDAR is a stabilized remote controlled weapon station (RCWS). The system was developed jointly by the Luch Design Bureau, Turkish company Aselsan, and SpetsTechnoExport, part of Ukraine's Ukroboronprom enterprise. The system carries two (in some versions four) 130 mm or 152 mm missiles with RK-2S or RK-2M-K tandem-charge HEAT warheads. The system is also equipped with 12.7 mm and 7.62 mm caliber machine guns.[10] A joint company for the production of Skif missiles was established in Turkey and production began in early 2020.[1]

Shershen

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Main article: Shershen

Shershen is a Belarusian ATGM based on Skif. It also has different types of 130 mm and 152 mm missiles.[11]

Operational history

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A Ukrainian three-man anti-tank team moving on foot in a winter maneuver, carrying Skif ATGM

The missile system was used during the pre-2022 Russo-Ukrainian War by Ukrainian forces following first deliveries in 2018.[12] However, it gained wider prominence against Russian Army forces during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine beginning in February alongside anti-tank systems provided by NATO countries such as the FGM-148 Javelin (US) and NLAW (UK/Sweden).[13] On April 5, 2022, Ukrainian forces used the missile system to down a Russian Kamov Ka-52 attack helicopter.[14] Although not as advanced as fire and forget systems such as the Javelin, the Stugna-P possesses a few unique advantages over those weapons. It possesses a longer range overall, flies significantly faster, and is harder to jam due to its SACLOS laser guidance. However, it weighs significantly more than those weapons and cannot be operated by a lone operator.

As the war has moved to the Donbas and fighting has changed from wooded areas to open plains, the missile has been fitted to light vehicles to make it mobile. The Skif is being used in the same way US forces used the TOW missile system in the 1980s and the Gulf War Desert Patrol Vehicle. On 25 April, near Izyum, during one engagement four tanks were destroyed or damaged in 4 minutes by the same Skif operator.[15][16]

Many of the missiles were to be exported to Middle Eastern countries. However, upon the outbreak of war these export models were used by Ukrainian soldiers.[17][18]

According to Ukrainian soldiers, one missile has hit a Russian tank at 5,300 meters (300 m beyond the nominal maximum range of 5 km).[19]

Users

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Armored car Otokar Cobra of the Azerbaijani army, equipped with a Skif ATGM

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Skif Anti-Tank Guided Missile". Military-Today.com. Archived from the original on 2017-07-08. Retrieved 2018-03-23.
  2. ^ a b c d e f ""SKIF" man portable antitank missile system". www.luch.kiev.ua. Archived from the original on 2017-12-10. Retrieved 2018-03-23.
  3. ^ a b c "Luch, State Kyiv Design Bureau" (PDF). State Kyiv Design Bureau, Luch. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 November 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  4. ^ "ЦАМТО / Главное / Украина рассчитывает на увеличение экспортных поставок ПТРК "Скиф"". armstrade.org. Archived from the original on 2021-05-06. Retrieved 2021-05-06.
  5. ^ "Skif – Trojan". Archived from the original on 2018-03-25. Retrieved 2018-03-24.
  6. ^ "Ukraine Tests New Anti-tank Guided Missile System 'Skif'". www.defenseworld.net. Archived from the original on 2021-12-28. Retrieved 2021-04-04.
  7. ^ "Stugna round comprising antitank guided missile". Luch, State Kyiv Design Bureau. Archived from the original on 2023-05-01. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  8. ^ "Стугна-П. Противотанковый ракетный комплекс". Defense Express (in Russian) (10). October 2014. Archived from the original on 2022-06-09. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  9. ^ a b "MSPO 2023: Luch Design Bureau confirms use of Skif-M by Ukrainian forces". Janes Information Services. 8 September 2023. Archived from the original on 10 September 2023.
  10. ^ "Ukrainian-Turkish SERDAR Anti-Tank Missile Launching System Passes Qualifying Trials". DEFPOST. Archived from the original on 25 November 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  11. ^ "Shershen". Military-Today.com. Archived from the original on 9 December 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  12. ^ Axe, David (11 January 2022). "Ukraine's Homemade Anti-Tank Missiles Have Been Blasting More and More Rebel Vehicles". Forbes. Archived from the original on 5 April 2022. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
  13. ^ "Starstreak, Javelin, NLAW: 200,000 items of weaponry sent to Ukraine from West's war chest". Archived from the original on 15 March 2022.
  14. ^ "Video shows Ukrainian troops shooting a Russian helicopter gunship down with an anti-tank missile". Business Insider. 5 April 2022.
  15. ^ "VIDEO: Four By War: Four Russian Tanks Destroyed In Four Minutes". 27 April 2022. Archived from the original on 15 October 2022. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
  16. ^ "Ukrainian Battle Buggies Are Out To Kill Russian Tanks". 28 April 2022. Archived from the original on 1 May 2022. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
  17. ^ "Ukraine uses an ATGM Skif/Stugna-P made for an Arab customer". 21 March 2022. Archived from the original on 12 April 2022. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
  18. ^ "Stinging With Stugna – Ukraine's Home-Grown ATGMs Complement Javelins & Stringers To Wreak Havoc On Russian Tanks". 30 March 2022. Archived from the original on 27 June 2022. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
  19. ^ "Stinging With Ukraine-made ATGM destroyed a Russian tank at a 5.3 km distance". 1 August 2022. Archived from the original on 5 August 2022. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  20. ^ Mitzer, Stijn; Oliemans, Joost (17 October 2021). "Azerbaijan's Emerging Arsenal Of Deterrent". Oryx. Archived from the original on 6 July 2022. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  21. ^ "Algerian army acquired the Skif ATGM from Ukraine". Menadefense.net. Archived from the original on 8 February 2019. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  22. ^ "Украина поставила военной техники в СА на $24,2 млн - СМИ". LIGA. December 28, 2018. Archived from the original on December 28, 2018. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  23. ^ "SIPRI Trade Register". Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Archived from the original on 2010-04-14. Retrieved 2020-11-24.
  24. ^ "Le Maroc teste de nouveaux missiles antichars Ukrainiens". ledesk.ma. Archived from the original on 26 April 2022. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  25. ^ "Катар показал боевой модуль турецкой ASELSAN с украинскими ПТУР "Скиф" на 31 бронеавтомобиле - T34 — КОНТ". cont.ws. Archived from the original on 2018-12-23. Retrieved 2022-05-01.
  26. ^ a b The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) (2022), The Military Balance 2022 (in German) (1st ed.), London: Routledge, ISBN 978-1-032-27900-8
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