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9K333 Verba


NATO: SA-29 Gizmo


Overview

9K333 Verba

Close-up of the 9K333 Verba man portable SAM system. Note the cylindrical battery and infrared sight unit.
Source: Vitaly V. Kuzmin - © CC BY-SA 4.0

Origin
Russia
Type
Man portable SAM system
Entered service
2015
Status
In service
Development
2000's - Early 2010's
Developer
Russia - KBM Kolomna
Production
2011 or 2012 - present
Producer
Russia - Zavod imeni Degtyarev
Number produced
In series production
Designations
9K333 (GRAU index for system)
9M336 (GRAU index for missile)
SA-29 Gizmo (NATO reporting name)
SA-25 (incorrect NATO reporting name)
Verba (official nickname)
Russian for "willow"
Notable users
Russia

Description

Introduction

The 9K333 Verba is a man portable SAM system of Russian origin. It is a continuation and modernization of the Igla family of surface to air missiles.

Design

The Verba uses many design elements of the Igla and Igla-S missile systems. The main differentiator is the triple channel seeker head. This allows for better target acquisition and improved ECCM capabilities. There are several values for the warhead size in multiple sources. An IFF system and an infrared night vision system can be used in conjunction with the reusable gripstock launcher.

Firepower

The triple channel seeker reportedly has an increased performance over the double channel seeker in the Igla and Igla-S. This allows for an all aspect engagement of helicopters and aircraft. The 9M336 missile has a range of 6 km and ceiling of 4.5 km. The speed of the missile allows it to engage targets travelling above Mach 1.

Users

The Verba was first delivered to Russian forces in 2014 and officially adopted in 2015. It is slowly supplementing and replacing other MANPADS in Russian service. The Verba is also being integrated in several types of vehicle launching systems. Verba is also available for export, with Armenia reported to be the first export customer.

Details

Facts 9M336
General
Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Surface to air missile
Dimensions
Diameter
72 mm
Length
1.64 m
Wingspan
160 mm
Weight
Over 10 kg missile
17.25 kg including 9P521 gripstock launcher
Guidance
Guidance mode
Tripple channel passive infra-red homing seeker
Ultraviolet, near infrared and mid-infrared spectral range
Max target speed
320 m/s receding
400 m/s approaching
Warhead
Type
Directed energy HE-fragmentation
Weight
1.5 kg (some sources indicate 2.5 kg)
Fuse
Magnetic proximity fuse
Secondary grazing impact fuse
Engagement envelope
Propulsion
Single-stage solid propellant rocket motor, plus ejection motor
Speed
Over 600 m/s average
Range
6.4 km maximum
0.5 km minimum
Altitude
4.5 km maximum
10 m minimum

Media

Related articles

9K38 Igla

The 9K333 Verba was developed to replace the 9K38 Igla (and its Igla-S variants) on the production line and in service.

Compared to the 9K38 it has a more advance triple channel seeker and increased engagement envelope.

Read more about 9K38 Igla