The Soviet 9K114 Shturm missile system changed how helicopters engaged targets from the air

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Developed in 1967, the 9K114 Shturm was a pioneering radio-guided anti-tank system. By replacing traditional wire guidance with a robust radio link, it achieved greater speed and range than its Western counterparts. This innovation allowed Soviet Mi-24 pilots to adopt standoff tactics, significantly increasing their survivability in combat zones.

The 9K114 Shturm, known to NATO as the AT-6 Spiral, was designed by the Kolomna Machine Design Bureau. While development began in 1967, technical hurdles necessitated the temporary use of the 9M17 Skorpion system. The Shturm finally entered service in 1976, offering a unique capability: a radio-command link that allowed for higher speeds and longer ranges compared to wire-guided missiles like the TOW or HOT. The system uses a glass-reinforced plastic launch tube and a solid-rocket sustainer, with a laser rangefinder integrated into its KPS-53AV daylight sight.

Tactical employment of the Shturm evolved during the Soviet–Afghan War. As opposing forces acquired more sophisticated anti-aircraft weaponry, pilots shifted to standoff tactics, firing from a distance to remain outside the reach of ground fire. Reports from this conflict indicate kill ratios between 75% and 85%. The missile is designed to fly above the gunner's line of sight, descending onto the target only in the final moments before impact to clear obstacles. While primarily an anti-tank weapon, it can engage low-flying helicopters, though it requires a direct hit due to its contact fuze.

The platform's versatility is evidenced by its deployment on various vehicles, including the Mi-24V helicopter and the 9P149 tank destroyer. Over the decades, the system has seen numerous upgrades. In 2014, the Russian army adopted the 9K132 Shturm-SM, which introduced thermal and television channels to the guidance system, alongside a new warhead featuring a proximity fuze. International interest has remained steady, with countries like India, Indonesia, and Hungary utilizing the system on their own rotary-wing fleets, while modern variants like the Ukrainian 543 Barrier-S continue to refine the original design's performance.

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