The SA-25 VERBA 9K333 is the next generation of MANPADS (Man Portable Air Defense System) designed and manufactured in Russia by the Company KBM (Konstruktorskoye Byuro Mashinostroyeniya). The system was unveiled for the first time during the defense exhibition in Russia Army-2015. The first tests of the system was completed in 2011. KBM qualified the 9K333 Verba system with the 9M336 missile in 2012 following which the company received approval for low-rate initial production of the complete system. According to engineer of KBM, theVerba system significantly improves upon the accuracy and performance of the earlier 9K338 Igla-S (SA-24 Grouse) MANPADS, primarily through the integration of a new multispectral optical seeker, which uses three sensors - ultraviolet, near-infrared, and mid-infrared - as opposed to the dual-waveband infrared used in the Igla-S system. The VERBA 9K33 is in service with the Russian Armed Forces since 2015. Verba is operated by a division of Airborne Forces and an infantry brigade of the Eastern Military District. At the end of 2015, the Airborne Forces received two divisional sets of the newest Verba man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS). KBM is also on the way to developing air and naval variants of the system. In 2015, motorized rifle, tank and airborne brigades of Russian Armed Forces began to receive the newest 9K333 Verba man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS), according to a source in Kolomna-based KBM company (a subsidiary of the High-Precision Weapon holding).
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| Design |
The layout of the SA-25 VERBA 9K333 seems similar to the SA-24 with a missile launch tube containing the missile, a grip stock, and a thermal battery. The VERBA launcher unit consists of one tube missile launcher, a 9P521 launcher; a Maugli-2M (1PN97) infrared imaging sight mounted to the left of the tube launcher and one 1L229V ground-based IFF interrogator.
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 Maugli-2M (1PN97) infrared imaging sight system mounted on the left side of Verba 9K333 launch tube
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| Missile |
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The SA-25 VERBA 9K333 uses the missile 9M336 with a new multispectral optical seeker which uses three sensors - ultraviolet, near-infrared, and mid-infrared - as opposed to the dual-waveband infrared used in the Igla-S system. This allows getting more information about the purpose which makes the portable anti-aircraft missile system more selective and sensitive. Increased sensitivity rises the range of the real target lock. The multispectral sensor enables faster discrimination between appropriate targets and decoys and decreases the chance of disruption from infrared countermeasures, including high-power flares and lasers. Its reaction time is within 8 seconds, and its warhead has gained 1.5 kg more weight – an increase of 20 percent. Three sensors are counterchecking each other, neutralizing aerial decoy systems. The seeker is picking out the decoys, selecting real target, which has the smallest thermal signature. The seeker`s sensitivity has been increased by eight times. As a result, the range of acquisition and elimination of aerial targets has been expanded by two-and-a-half times (compared to Igla-S MANPADS). The missile`s jamming resistance has been increased by 10 times. The Verba`s missile maximum range has been increased to 6 km due to the installation of a new jet engine. 9M336 missile has a flight ceiling of 3,500 m. Verba`s full ready-to-shoot weight (including the launching unit, SAM and battery) is 17.25 kg (38 pounds).
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| Operations |
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The SA-25 Verba`s command & control (C2) system allows for detecting aerial targets (including the target sets), determining the flight variables and even distributing the acquired targets between launching units operators. The VERBA 9K333 uses a new integrated automated control system (ACS) terminal offering the possibility to fire individually and as part of the battery. Through the ACS the commander uses data not only from ground radar but also, according to some data, even from early radar warning aircraft. It can see its targets in advance and then distribute them among operators of MANPADS in automatic mode. The ACS tracks potential targets before they are within engagement range, and automatically assigns the task to the launcher crew that is best poised to fire on the target. With the news ACS, the VERBA Verba crews’ reaction time is reduced by a factor of 10 (from a previous time of 3 to 5 minutes).
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| Combat use |
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The SA-25 VERBA 9K333 MANPADS can hit targets at ranges from 500 to 6,500 meters, at an altitude of up to 4.5 kilometers, and at a speed of up to 500 meters/second.
The system comprises:
– 9M336 missile,
– 9P521 launcher,
– 1L229V ground-based interrogator (friend or foe),
– 9V861 mobile control station,
– 1L122 small-size radar detector,
– 9C931 mission planning module,
– 9C932-1 reconnaissance and control module,
– 9C933 portable fire control module (brigade kit),
– 9C933-1 built-in installation kit (divisional kit),
– 9C935 automation facilities set for AA sniper,
– training equipment.
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| Specifications |
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Missile
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One 9M336 missile
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Country users
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Armenia, Russia
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Combat weight
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? kg ready to fire
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Target engagement
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500 to 6,500 m
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Crew
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1 soldier
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Type of engaged targets
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tactical aircraft, helicopter, UAV, and cruise missile
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Missile
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Weight: ? kg
Weight Warhead: 1,5 kg
Warhead type: HE Fragmentation
Flight speed: 500 m/s
Altitude: 10 - 4,500 m
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Reaction time
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5 to 10 sec.
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Guidance system
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multispectral optical seeker which uses three sensors - ultraviolet, near-infrared, and mid-infrared
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Dimension missile
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Length:? m
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