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9P149 “Shturm-S”: The Invisible Hunter
8 May 2019 Development

 

The MT-LB is the well-known multi-purpose armoured personnel carrier that was fitted with a huge variation of armament, including the “Shturm-S” missile system, which was capable of destroying heavily armoured targets.

History▼

The MT-LB, also known as “Mnogotselevoy Tyagach Legky Bronirovanny” in Russian (which stands for “Multi-Purpose Towing Vehicle Light Armoured”), has been mass-produced since 1966. The vehicle was primarily used as an artillery tractor that acted as a means of transport of the gun crew and ammunition complements. However, as it happens with every well-designed platform, the carrier ultimately became a base for all kinds of armament sets. In the early 70s, the USSR began development of an anti-tank hypersonic missile system with a strike range of up to 5,000 metres for armoured targets. The system received the designation “Shturm” and was intended to be equipped on both air and ground units. In the end, it was the MT-LB that was chosen as the base for the former role. In 1979, the new ground combat vehicle was put into service under the designation 9P149 “Shturm-S”.

9P149 «Shturm-S». Anti-tank missile carrier, USSR/Russia, rank VI.

Pros

  • “Shturm” and “Ataka” ATGMs
  • Very low profile
  • Swims! (capable of travelling across water)

Cons

  • Poor defence
  • Easy prey from the air
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Briefly: The 9P149 will make the perfect vehicle for hunting down enemy armour. Fantastic mobility, low profile, and 12 guided missiles in stock!

In War Thunder, the 9P149 “Shturm-S” will join the ranks of the Soviet rocket systems as a lethal and stealthy hunter of the enemy heavy armour.  Its light weight enables the vehicle to be highly mobile and travel at a speed of 60 km/h when moving forward and 10 km/h when going in reverse. Moreover, its low profile and lack of any kind of superstructures (not counting the launch system) allows the 9P149 to stay stealthy even in relatively flat terrain. The vehicle is only fitted with protection against bullets – even its most-armoured spots have a thickness of 14 mm, and the reason for that is because the 9P149 was never intended to be deployed at the frontlines.

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The “Shturm” ATGM is capable of reaching enemy units as far as 5 kilometres away, and its missiles have a penetration capacity of 560 mm  and if it will be not enough it has also “Ataka” ATGM which can penetrate 800mm armour, which should suffice for practically any target on the battlefield. And this combat vehicle carries as many as 12 of these deadly missiles! In the case it’s impossible to get close enough to the enemy on land, the MT-LB can travel on water at a speed up of 6 km/h and even shoot from short stops while floating.

Fun fact: throughout its 50 years in service, over 80 different kinds of sub-models of the MT-LB were created, ranging from APCs to weapons systems, some of which are still in use to this day.

The 9P149 “Shturm-S” is a rather frail yet lethal combat vehicle – especially if you are proficient at ambush tactics and aren’t too lazy to change your position quite often. Our Soviet ATGM carrier will appear in War Thunder update 1.89 very soon, and we are just as excited about its appearance in the game as you are!

The War Thunder Team

Previous Development Blogs:

Kiyoshimo
Kiyoshimo
PG 02
PG 02
No.4 Type CH-8
No.4 Type CH-8
Kuma
Kuma
Bradley ADATS
Bradley ADATS

 

 

 

 

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