{"id":878,"date":"2023-03-11T19:32:53","date_gmt":"2023-03-11T19:32:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/?p=878"},"modified":"2023-03-11T19:32:53","modified_gmt":"2023-03-11T19:32:53","slug":"the-at-3-sagger-deadly-russian-suitcase-missile","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/?p=878","title":{"rendered":"The AT-3 Sagger \u2014 Deadly Russian Suitcase Missile"},"content":{"rendered":"


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By Peter Suciu<\/a><\/p>\n

A<\/span>mong one of the most ominous \u2014 even insidious \u2014 pieces of military hardware developed during the Cold War was \u201csuitcase\u201d nuclear device. Known as the suitcase nuke, backpack nuke or even \u201csnuke,\u201d it wasn\u2019t actually a single weapon. Instead, a variety of tactical nuclear weapons were designed that were small enough that they could be carried in specially-designed backpacks.<\/p>\n

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A trainer version AT-3 Sagger (9M14 Malyutka) offered for sale at a military collectibles show in North America. This version was sold with an original transport chest\/launch\u00a0unit.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Though no actual weapon was ever seen carried in a normal-sized suitcase or briefcase, the myth of such a weapon is one that has garnered much interest \u2014 especially with the looming specter of a nuclear weapon rearing its ugly head again! Perhaps one reason that the image of a nuclear weapon that could be carried in a suitcase has gained renewed interest goes to the fact that the Soviet Union also developed an anti-tank guided weapon (ATGM) that was in fact carried, and even launched from a special carrying case.<\/p>\n

\"9m14\n<\/picture>
L to R<\/strong>: A cutaway Sagger missile, a complete missile with fins extended, a carrying case containing a warhead and rocket motor, the top of the case with a missile on its launch rail, and a joystick control unit. Image:\u00a0NARA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

That was the 9M14 Malyutka (Russian for \u201cLittle One\u201d), a weapon that is commonly known by its NATO reporting name, AT-3 Sagger. It was the first man-portable ATGM deployed by the Soviet Army, and it was also among the most widely produced to date.<\/p>\n

It was truly a \u201csuitcase\u201d missile!<\/p>\n

\"at\n<\/picture>
The missile-carrying case for the Soviet Sagger AT-3 anti-tank guided weapon (ATGW) system had a launch rail attached to the top so it could be fired by a single soldier remotely. Image:\u00a0NARA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Development of the Manual Command to Line of Sight (MCLOS) wire-guided ATGM officially began in 1961, and it entered service just two years later. Soviet production of the 24-lb. missile had reportedly peaked at 25,000 missiles a year during the 1960\u2019s and 1970\u2019s.<\/p>\n

What is especially noteworthy is that the weapon\u2019s history still remains somewhat shrouded in mystery. What is known is that the design work may have dated back to the 1950\u2019s at the KBM plant in Moscow, while it was first publicly seen during the Victory Day Parade to commemorate the Red Army\u2019s victory in the Second World War on May 9, 1965.<\/p>\n

Despite its prolific use, the weapon also hasn\u2019t been widely known in the West \u2014 likely due to the fact that it hasn\u2019t been seen in pop culture. However, it continues to be used in conflicts around the globe.<\/p>\n

AT-3 Sagger: Versatile and Adaptable<\/h2>\n

The Malyutka is a true mini-missile with a pointed nose that contains a HEAT (High Explosive Anti-Tank) warhead, along with oversized fins. It can be stored inside a 9K11 portable fiberglass case that doubles as a launcher platform, and could be quickly assembled and ready to fire in under a minute. Technically, a proper 9M14 Malyutka team would consist of three individuals, including two to carry and ready the weapon, while the \u201csenior operator\u201d would carry the 9S415 control panel and its monocular sight\/periscope.<\/p>\n

\"remotely\n<\/picture>
Sighting through a remote system, a spotter prepares to fire a Sagger AT-3 anti-tank guided weapon (ATGW) missile from a launcher mounted on a Soviet BRMD-2 amphibious scout car. Image:\u00a0NARA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Sagger was designed to be small enough that it could be launched from a protected position, such as a trench, foxhole or bunker. Much like the American-made TOW, it was wire-guided at launch. After launch, the operator was able to guide the course via a control panel and joystick. The system\u2019s 9Sh16 periscope also offered fixed 8X magnification with a 22.5-degree field of view for targeting over 1,000 meters.<\/p>\n

\"at-3\n<\/picture>
The joystick control unit for the Soviet Sagger AT-3 anti-tank guided weapon (ATGW) system. Image:\u00a0NARA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A red tail light emitted from the rocket motor to serve as a visual guide to the operator before the missile impacted. It had an effective range of 2.5 kilometers, but it was far from accurate and could only hit a target with a probability of 50 to 60 percent.<\/p>\n

\"sagger\n<\/picture>
A front view of a Soviet BRDM-2 amphibious scout car with its Sagger AT-3 anti-tank guided weapon system in the raised launching position. A single Sagger missile is mounted on the launcher. Image:\u00a0NARA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In addition to being launched from its carrying case, it could be fired from a variety of Soviet-bloc Infantry Fight Vehicles (IFVs) such as the BMP and BRDM, as well as from certain helicopters such as the Mi-2 Hoplite, Mi-8 HIP, and Mi-24 Hind.<\/p>\n

As the Sagger flew at a relatively low speed and produced a prodigious smoke and dust signature, it would quickly reveal the position of its unit.<\/p>\n

Combat History of the 9M14 Malyutka<\/h2>\n

As noted, the 9M14 Malyutka likely isn\u2019t among the better-known Soviet anti-tank weapons \u2014 and certainly not near the iconic status of the\u00a0RPG-2<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0RPG-7<\/a>\u00a0\u2014 because its use on the battlefield was somewhat limited. In fact, while some NATO analysts may have feared the weapon, it was first only employed by units from the People\u2019s Army of Vietnam (North Vietnamese Army) during clashes with South Vietnamese tanks in Quang Tri Province in April 1972.<\/p>\n

\"spy\n<\/picture>
This spy photo taken in 1977 shows an overhead view of a Soviet AT-3 Sagger anti-tank missiles mounted on two BDRM-1 amphibious reconnaissance cars. Image:\u00a0NARA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The weapon proved successful and was able to destroy an American-made M48A3, which certainly caused great concern for NATO. Fortunately, the war in Europe between the Warsaw Pact and NATO never occurred.<\/p>\n

However, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) learned the hard way about the Sagger\u2019s effectiveness during the Yom Kippur War of 1973, when it was employed in large numbers by the Egyptian Army. IDF intelligence had received reports that Egyptian soldiers had brought along suitcases \u2014 which of course turned out to be the 9M14 Malyutka, which was used to batter Israel\u2019s tank fleet of British-made Centurions and American-made M60s.<\/p>\n

\"bmp-1\n<\/picture>
This Soviet-made BMP-1 mechanized infantry combat vehicle was captured by Israel in the Yom Kippur War. A Sagger AT-3 missile is mounted above the 73 mm main gun. Image:\u00a0NARA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Hundreds of the IDF\u2019s tanks were taken out by the suitcase-launched missiles, which proved capable of penetrating 430mm or nearly 8\u201d of armor. Tank crews learned quickly that little could blunt the explosive forces.<\/p>\n

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After the war, Israel and NATO spent years working on an effective doctrine against the Sagger, and it was determined the best option was to steer the tank away from an incoming missile to confuse the operator. However, it wasn\u2019t really until the advent of explosive reactive armor (ERA) and active protection systems that the threat from the \u201cLittle One\u201d was finally addressed.<\/p>\n

\"at-3\n<\/picture>
The AT-3 Sagger is also used in unconventional warfare. A U.S. soldier from the 4th Infantry Division handles a Sagger missile found buried in Iraq. Image: SSgt. Mark\u00a0Wojciechowski<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Even as more advanced anti-tank weapons have been developed, the Sagger \u2014 and numerous variations \u2014 continue to be produced in China, North Korea, Iran and Serbia. It has been used in a number of conflicts and continues to see service in the ongoing civil wars in Libya, Syria and Yemen. Even today, should a tank crew see an enemy with a suitcase, they should be concerned!<\/p>\n

Suitcase Missile: Not a Movie Star<\/h2>\n

Though the 9M14 Malyutka continues to be employed by militaries around the world, it has yet to appear in any movies or TV series \u2014 likely another reason why it is generally not as well known as the RPG or the TOW missile.<\/p>\n

\"trainer\n<\/picture>
This trainer version of the AT-3 Sagger can be disassembled\/assembled much like a live\u00a0version.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In fact, to date, the Sagger has reportedly only appeared in three video games including 2000\u2019s\u00a0Steel Beasts,<\/em>\u00a02001\u2019s\u00a0Operation Flashpoint<\/em>, and 2005\u2019s\u00a0Project Reality<\/em>. All of those were vehicle-mounted versions \u2014 rather than the suitcase-launched models.<\/p>\n

Though the Sagger hasn\u2019t had its close-up in a movie, the weapon has become popular with collectors in just the past year after a cache of Communist Block trainers hit the market. These apparently came from vintage stocks in the Czech Republic, Serbia and Bulgaria \u2014 and were originally intended for assembly and loading drills. None were ever functional, and couldn\u2019t be converted into any type of functional weapon, but they are still impressive as a conversation piece. These were sold with the original wooden transit chest, and with a piece of glass added can easily transform into a coffee table for the man cave or bunker!<\/p>\n

\"at-3\n<\/picture>
The Sagger has been retired from a number of former Warsaw Pact nations, so it is increasingly common to see trainer versions offered at larger gun and military collectible\u00a0shows.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A few are still available from a few sellers online for around $500.<\/p>\n

In addition, a handful with carrying cases\/launchers has been seen for sale by this reporter at the larger military collectibles shows. However, it appears only rarely are the launcher controls including the joystick unit included \u2014 but for collectors, it would appear the rocket is the true curiosity piece.<\/p>\n

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