Verba 9K333 Man-Portable Air Defence System Missile System (MANPADS), Russia

The 9K333 Verba (Russian: Верба, "Pussy Willow") is a new generation man-portable air defence missile system (MANPADS), entered service with the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in 2014. It is developed by Joint Stock Company Research and Production Corporation Konstruktorskoye byuro mashynostroyeniya (JSC RPC KBM). The systems was unveiled for the first time during the defense exhibition in Russia Army-2015.

The first tests of the systems was completed in 2011. JSC RPC 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. In August 2014, two brigade sets were delivered to the Motorised Rifle Brigade of the Eastern Military District located in the Primorsky and Khabarovsk Territories, and two divisional sets to the Russian Airborne Troops (VDV) stationed in Ivanovo. At first glance, the 9K333 Verba looks like its Russian and American predecessors the Igla and Stinger: a tube and an aiming sight. However, at that point the similarities end.

The Motorised Brigade of the Western Military District (ZVO) in the Leningrad region commissioned more than 50 Verba air defence missile systems in November 2015. The missile systems are also operational with the VDV troops in Pskov and Tula. The new Verba is intended to replace its predecessor 9K38 Igla-S MANPADS, which are currently in service with the Russian Army.

The 9K333  Verba uses the missile 9M336 with 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 to get 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 per cent. 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 launching unit, SAM and battery) is 17.25 kg (38 pounds).

A 1.5kg Mowgli-2M infrared (IR) imaging sight, developed by LOMO, is attached on the left side of the launch tube. With an angular field of view of 24°, it detects air targets during low light or night conditions.

The missile launcher is coupled to an Andromeda-D automated control system (ACS), which is used for the control of air defence system using the data received from ground radars and early radar warning aircraft. The control system transmits target designations to launchers in real time. It allows the operators to detect single or multiple aerial targets, acquire target information in advance, determine flight parameters and coordinates, and distribute data among air defence system weapon operators. With the Andromeda-D ACS the 9K333 Verba crews’ reaction time is reduced by a factor of 10 (from a previous time of 3 to 5 minutes).

The Verba air-defence missile complex comprises combat equipment such as 9M336 missile, 9V861 mobile checkpoint, 1L229V ground-based interrogator (friend-or-foe), 1L122 compact radar detector, 9S935 gunner's automation kit, 9S933 portable fire-control unit (for brigade), 9S933-1 built-in mounting kit (for division), 9P521 launcher, 9S931 planning module, 9S932-1 intelligence and control module, and maintenance and training aids.

Verba's new solid-fueled engine allows the shooter to hit a target that moves at the speed of 500 m/s at a distance of more than six kilometers. The strike altitude varies from 10 meters to 4.5km. This gives Verba a significant advantage over the Stinger that cannot attack helicopters flying lower than 180 meters. Verba has a simplified maintenance service and has proven sustainable even in harsh Arctic conditions. The military considers Verba as a reliable defense against contemporary attack aircraft and cruise missiles.

A high-explosive (HE) fragmentation warhead, weighing 1.5kg, provides the missile with increased probability of kill.