View source for 3M6 Shmel

{{Short description|1950s Soviet anti-tank missile}}
{{no footnotes|date=November 2014}}
{{redirect|AT-1|the Soviet armoured vehicle|T-26 variants}}
[[File:2P26 Panzerabwehrraketen.JPG|250px|right|thumb|3M6 {{Lang|ru-latn|Shmel|italic=no}} / AT-1 Snapper anti-tank missiles.]]
The '''3M6 {{Lang|ru-latn|Shmel}}''' ({{langx|ru|3М6 «Шмель»}}; {{langx|en|[[bumblebee]]}}) is an [[MCLOS]] [[Wire-guided missile|wire-guided]] [[anti-tank missile]] of the [[Soviet Union]]. Its [[GRAU]] designation is "3M6" and its [[NATO reporting name]] is '''AT-1 Snapper'''.

Too large to be manportable, it was typically deployed from specialised vehicles or helicopters. The missile was intended to supplement traditional anti-tank weapons, like the [[T-12 antitank gun|100 mm anti-tank gun]] whose accuracy beyond 1,500 m is poor. The missile's accuracy in contrast remained high as far as its maximum range of 2,000 m.

However, the system's bulk, slow speed and poor combat accuracy drove development of later [[SACLOS]] systems, like the [[9M113 Konkurs]].

==Development==
The '''3M6''' {{Lang|ru-latn|Shmel}} began development through Decree No. 7 on May 27, 1957.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Ангельскии |first1=Ростислав Д.|title=Отечественные противотанковые комплексы: Иллюстрированный справочник. |date=2002 |publisher=ООО «Издательство АСТ» |location=Москва |isbn=5170117442 |page=9 |ref=moscow}}</ref> Development would be spread across several bureaus and research institutes, with the missile complex and rocket being designed by [[KB Mashinostroyeniya|SKB-4]],<ref name="soggy">{{cite book |last1=С. Г. |first1=Тихонов |title=Оборонные предприятия СССР и России : в 2 т. |date=2010 |publisher=ТОМ |location=Москва |isbn=978-5-903603-02-2 |page=94 |edition=Т. 1.}}</ref> led by [[Boris Shavyrin]] under the leadership of the to-be famous [[Sergey Nepobedimy]],<ref name="womp">{{cite book |last1=Широкорад |first1=Александр Борисович |title=Энциклопедия отечественного ракетного оружия 1817-2002. |date=2003 |publisher=ООО «Издательство АСТ» |location=Москва |isbn=5-17-011177-0 |page=154}}</ref> being based on the [[Nord Aviation]] [[SS.10]].<ref name="soggy">{{cite book |last1=С. Г. |first1=Тихонов |title=Оборонные предприятия СССР и России : в 2 т. |date=2010 |publisher=ТОМ |location=Москва |isbn=978-5-903603-02-2 |page=94 |edition=Т. 1.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=В. Л. |first1=Солунина |title=Высокоточные системы управления и приводы для вооружения и военной техники. К 50-летию ЦНИИ автоматики и гидравлики |date=2003 |publisher=Московский государственный технический университет имени Н.Э. Баумана |location=Москва |isbn=5-7038-1407-3 |page=83 |edition=2-е изд.}}</ref> Teams from {{ill|TsNII-113|ru|ЦНИИАГ}},<ref>{{cite book |last1=С. Г. |first1=Тихонов |title=Оборонные предприятия СССР и России : в 2 т. |date=2010 |publisher=ТОМ |location=Москва |isbn=978-5-903603-02-2 |page=543 |edition=Т. 1.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=В. Л. |first1=Солунина |title=Высокоточные системы управления и приводы для вооружения и военной техники. К 50-летию ЦНИИ автоматики и гидравлики |date=2003 |publisher=Московский государственный технический университет имени Н.Э. Баумана |location=Москва |isbn=5-7038-1407-3 |page=81 |edition=2-е изд.}}</ref> led by Zinovy Moiseevich Persits, would handle the design of the [[Missile guidance|control system]]. Meanwhile, the [[Explosive charge|charge]] for the [[solid-propellant rocket|solid-propellant]] [[rocket engine]] would be designed by [[Lyubertsy Soyuz Science Production Association|NII-125]], and the [[HEAT]] [[warhead]] by [[Central Scientific Research Institute of Chemistry and Mechanics|NII-6]].<ref name="womp" />

Development of the missile proceeded rapidly, with the first unguided flights in April 1958 followed by controlled flights in June and July 1958, where testing showed the [[Probability of kill|probability of a hit]] to be anywhere from 75—90%, depending on the range.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Непобедимый |first1=Сергей Павлович |title=Оружие двух эпох. Записки генерального конструктора ракетных комплексов. |date=2008 |publisher=Московский государственный технический университет имени Н.Э. Баумана |location=Москва |isbn=978-5-7038-3158-8 |page=108}}</ref> However, [[Soviet Army]] field exercises showed that hit rates could decrease to as low as 25% due to the complexity of the [[Missile guidance|guidance system]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Мальгинов |first1=Виктор |title=«Шмель» на броне // М-Хобби : журнал. |date=2008 |issn=0236-058-6 |page=37 |edition=Май (вып. 4, № 90)}}</ref>

===Reveal and Western reaction===
The system would enter service by August 1st, 1960.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Ангельскии |first1=Ростислав Д.|title=Отечественные противотанковые комплексы: Иллюстрированный справочник. |date=2002 |publisher=ООО «Издательство АСТ» |location=Москва |isbn=5170117442 |page=24 |ref=moscow}}</ref> Later, parade 2P27 vehicles sporting four 2K16 launchers on May 1st, 1962 were noted by [[NATO|Western]] observers in parade formation, just before the 1962 [[Moscow Victory Day Parade]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Military Review |date=February 1963 |publisher=United States Army |location=Fort Leavensworth, Texas |page=105 |edition=Volume XLIII, Number 2, February 1963}}</ref> The weapon would later be described in the [[United States Army|US Army]] journal ''Military Review'' as being 'about the same size' and having 'approximately the same range' as the French [[SS.11]], later overestimating its range to be from 500 to 3,000 metres.<ref>{{cite book |title=Military Review |date=January 1963 |publisher=United States Army |location=Fort Leavenworth, Texas |page=106 |edition=Volume XLIII, Number 1, January 1963}}</ref>

==History==
[[Image:GAZ-69-Shmel-batey-haosef-1.jpg|thumb|2P26 in Batey ha-Osef Museum, Israel.]]
[[Image:2P26 TBiU 24 2.jpg|thumb|Polish 2P27]]
There were two ground-based platforms for the missile
* '''2P26''' Based on the unarmored [[GAZ-69]] light truck - with four backward pointing launch rails. The control station can be deployed up to 30 m away from the launcher vehicle. It entered service in 1960
* '''2P27''' Based on the armored [[BRDM-1]] - with three pop up launch rails protected by an armored cover. It entered service in 1964.
These vehicles were deployed in anti-tank batteries attached to motor rifle [[regiment]]s. Each battery has three [[platoon]]s, each with three launch vehicles and a single command BRDM.

While a few were used by Egyptian forces during the 1967 [[Six-Day War]] and from 1969 in the [[War of Attrition]], only one tank loss was attributed to the system. The system's hit probability is estimated to have been 25% in combat{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}}.

The system was also used by the [[Cypriot National Guard]] during the [[1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus]] in a man-portable version. Several dozen shots were fired in action during a number of July and August engagements in the conflict, with low effectiveness.

[[North Korea]] began producing a reverse-engineered version of the missile in 1975.

==Description==
The missile is guided to the target by means of a joystick, which requires some skill on the part of the operator. The operator's adjustments are transmitted to the missile via a thin wire that trails behind the missile.

The missile is steered by an unconventional arrangement of vibrating spoilers.

As stated before, MCLOS requires considerable skill on the part of the operator. The system's effectiveness in combat drove the development of missiles based on the easier to use SACLOS system.

One problem with the missile is the amount of time it takes to reach maximum range—around 20 seconds—giving the intended target time to take action, either by retreating behind an obstacle, laying down a smoke screen or firing on the operator. Also, the large size of the missile means that only a few rounds can be carried; the [[BRDM-1]] vehicle can only carry three missiles.

== Operators ==
[[File:3M6 Shmel Operators Map 08.07.2024.png|thumb|400x400px|Map with 3M6 operators in blue with former operators in red]]

=== Current ===
* {{flag|Cuba}}<ref>{{cite journal |last1=International Institute for Strategic Studies |title=Chapter Seven: Latin America and the Caribbean|journal=The Military Balance |date=31 December 2024 |volume=124 |issue=1 |pages=396–457 |doi=10.1080/04597222.2024.2298595 |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/04597222.2024.2298595 |access-date=16 April 2024 |language=en |issn=0459-7222 |author1-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies }}</ref>
* {{flag|North Korea}}<ref>{{cite journal |last1=International Institute for Strategic Studies |title=Chapter Five: Asia |journal=The Military Balance |date=2024 |volume=124 |issue=1 |pages=218–327 |doi=10.1080/04597222.2024.2298593 |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/04597222.2024.2298593 |access-date=16 April 2024 |language=en |issn=0459-7222 |author1-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies }}</ref>

===Former===
* {{flag|Afghanistan|1980}}<ref name="Janes">{{cite book |last1=V. Hogg |first1=Ian |title=Jane's infantry weapons 1988-89 |date=1988 |publisher=Jane's Pub. Co |location=London |isbn=978-0710608574 |edition=14th}}</ref>{{rp|766}}
* {{ALG}}<ref name="Janes" />{{rp|766}}
* {{flag|Bulgaria|1971}}<ref name="Janes" />{{rp|767}}
* {{flag|Cyprus}} − 80 missiles received in 1973 in violation of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot arms embargo.<ref name="SIPRI">{{cite web |title=Trade Registers |url=https://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php |website=Stockholm International Peace Research Institute |access-date=24 May 2023}}</ref>
* {{flag|Czechoslovakia}}<ref name="Janes" />{{rp|768}}
* {{flag|East Germany}}<ref name="Janes" />{{rp|768}}
* {{flag|Egypt}}<ref name="Janes" />{{rp|768}}
* {{flag|Hungary}}<ref name="Janes" />{{rp|769}}
* {{flag|Iraq|1991}}<ref>{{cite book | author1-last=[[National Training Center]] |title=The Iraqi Army: Organization and Tactics |date=1 January 1991 |publisher=Paladin Press |isbn=978-0-87364-632-1 |page=126 |language=English}}</ref>
* {{flag|Israel}} - Captured units from Egypt<ref>{{cite web|url=http://waronline.org/IDF/Articles/firstATGM.htm|title=ПТУР первого поколения в АОИ|author=Олег Грановский, Вадим Яковис|website=War Online|date=2005-01-15|lang=ru|accessdate=2023-11-05|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060516012855/http://waronline.org/IDF/Articles/firstATGM.htm|archivedate=2006-05-16|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://oleggranovsky.livejournal.com/187543.html|title=История начала разработок ПТУР в Израиле|lang=ru|author=Олег Грановский|website=oleggranovsky.livejournal.com|date=2018-09-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415015933/https://oleggranovsky.livejournal.com/187543.html|archive-date=2021-04-15|access-date=2023-11-06}}</ref> and Syria.{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}
* {{flag|Mongolia}} − 100 missiles received in 1963.<ref name="SIPRI" />
* {{flag|Poland|1928}}<ref name="Janes" />{{rp|772}}
* {{flag|Romania|1965}}<ref name="Janes" />{{rp|772}}
* {{flag|Soviet Union}}<ref name="Janes" />{{rp|406}}
* {{flag|Syria}}<ref name="Janes" />{{rp|773}}
* {{flag|Yugoslavia}}<ref name="Janes" />{{rp|774}} - 500 missiles received between 1964 and 1965.<ref name="SIPRI" />

== General characteristics==
* '''Length''': 1150&nbsp;mm
* '''Wingspan''': 750&nbsp;mm
* '''Diameter''': 136&nbsp;mm
* '''Launch weight''': 22.5&nbsp;kg
* '''Speed''': 90 to 110&nbsp;m/s
* '''Range''': 500 m to 2.3&nbsp;km
* '''Time to maximum range''': 20 seconds
* '''Guidance''': [[Wire-guided missile|wire-guided]] [[MCLOS]]
* '''Warhead''': 5.4&nbsp;kg [[HEAT]] 300&nbsp;mm vs [[Rolled Homogeneous Armour|RHA]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}<!--added under references heading by script-assisted edit-->
* Hull, A.W., Markov, D.R., Zaloga, S.J. (1999). ''Soviet/Russian Armor and Artillery Design Practices 1945 to Present''. Darlington Productions. {{ISBN|1-892848-01-5}}.
* Jane's Weapon Systems 1977
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20051215175233/http://waronline.org/IDF/Articles/firstATGM.htm ПТУР первого поколения в АОИ] ''in Russian''
*{{Cite book |title=2P26 (GAZ-69) |publisher=Russian Motor Books |year=2003 |edition=2nd |series=Vehicles in Russia. Silver collection |volume=15 |language=en}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080926100735/http://www.thetankmaster.com/ENGLISH/AFV/SHMEL.asp Gaz-69 Snapper - NATO codename for Gaz-69 fitted with Shmel ATGM (2P26 vehicle with 3M6 missiles of the Shmel ATGM system) – Walk around photos]
* [https://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/at-1.htm AT-1 SNAPPER]

{{Russian and Soviet Aircraft Ordnance}}
{{Russian and Soviet missiles|ATM}}

[[Category:Anti-tank guided missiles of the Cold War]]
[[Category:Anti-tank guided missiles of the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1960s]]
[[Category:Wire-guided missiles]]