[Shirai_Kuroko]

9K114 Shturm/AT-6 Spiral


9K114 Image A

ORIGIN (REAL WORLD):
Soviet Union/Russia

GAMES FEATURED IN:
Ace Combat: Assault Horizon

COMPATIBLE AIRCRAFT:
Mi-24 Hind

OVERVIEW:
The development of the AT-6 Spiral begun in 1967 by Kolomna Design Bureau in hopes for the missile to be used on Mi-24D Hind gunship. However, delays have forced the Mi-24D to not to integrate the new design and instead, it uses an upgraded design of the older AT-2 Swagger with a SACLOS upgrade. The missile finally entered service in 1974 and finally integrated in later Hind variants (Mi-24V and later) and later, MT-LB tank destroyer as well. It is often compared to the American AGM-114 Hellfire missile, as they have similar role in the battlefield.

The missile itself is guided via SACLOS (Semi Active Command Line of Sight) and radio wave. The user, once firing must keep the crosshairs on the target to guide the missile till it hits the target. The performance of the missile itself was rather questionable, as tests on Aberdeen Proving Grounds show poor performance, whereas the Soviets reports a 75-85% kill ratio with the AT-6 in Afghanistan. Nevertheless, it is still used by Russian Helicopters today alongside with the more advanced 9M120 Ataka and 9K121 Vikhr missiles, and with operators outside Russia as well.

SOURCE:
Wikipedia Article on 9M114
FAS.org-AT-6 Spiral
Ace Combat Assault Horizon: The game itself