Vikhr-1, Destroy M2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle In Ukraine

During a counterattack by Ukrainian troops against Russian-occupied territory in the first week of June, a number of Ukrainian combat vehicles were destroyed by Russian forces.

In addition to using drone-guided field artillery fire, Russia's success in holding back the Ukrainian troops was also thanks to the Vikhr-1 anti-tank missile.

Weapons manufacturer Kalashnikov on 9 December released footage of a Vikhr-1 missile being launched from a Ka-52 attack helicopter and successfully butchering a US-made M2A2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) in the Special Military Operations area.

Regarding the 9K121 Vikhr anti-tank missile (NATO: AT-16 Scallion ) is an air-to-surface missile to engage armored vehicles.

The Vikhr-1 was first publicly demonstrated in 1992 at the Farnborough Airshow, England.

The missile can be launched from Ka-50 and Ka-52, Mi-28N and Mi-35 attack helicopters as well as Su-25 T/TM attack aircraft.

In May 2021, the Kalashnikov company successfully test-fired an upgraded variant with an increased range of up to 10 km, exceeding the basic tactical and technical characteristics of the missile.

The missile uses solid fuel rockets, can travel at speeds of up to 610 m/s at a launch altitude of between 10 m - 4,000 m, with a range of 800 m - 10,000 m.

As for specifications, the Vikhr-1 weighs 45 kg, is 280 cm long and 13 cm in diameter.

The missile is equipped with a tandem HEAT warhead payload of 8 - 12 kg which can penetrate reactive armor (ERA).