9K333 Verba 🇷🇺 The new Russian guardian of the skies

9K333 Verba man-portable infrared homing surface-to-air missile

1.Introduction 00:00
2.History 00:27
3.Missile 01:39
4.Operations 03:26

The 9K333 Verba (Russian: Верба, "Willow") is a Russian fourth-generation man-portable infrared homing surface-to-air missile (SAM) MANPADS. "9K333" is the Russian GRAU designation of the system. Its NATO reporting name is SA-29 Gizmo.

History:
The 9K333 Verba was originally developed as a replacement for the 9K38 Igla.
The Verba's primary new feature is its multispectral optical seeker, using three sensors - ultraviolet, near infrared, and mid-infrared - as opposed to the Igla-S' two. Cross-checking sensors against one another better discriminates between relevant targets and decoys, and decreases the chance of disruption from countermeasures, including lasers that attempt to blind missiles.
According to a KBM spokesperson, the Verba can engage fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft and “new types of threats” such as unmanned aerial vehicles and cruise missiles. “The 9K333 can effectively engage aerial targets with low infrared signature. The system can be coupled to an external identification friend or foe [IFF] unit,” the spokesperson said.
The Verba's containerized 9M336 surface-to-air missile (SAM) can be integrated into ground- and sea-based short-range air-defense (SHORAD) systems. “The SAM can also be used by air platforms,” the spokesperson added.

Missile:
The SA-25 VERBA 9K333 uses the missile 9M336 with a 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 getting 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 percent. 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 the launching unit, SAM and battery) is 17.25 kg (38 pounds).

Operations:
The SA-25 Verba`s command & control (C2) system allows for detecting aerial targets (including the target sets), determining the flight variables and even distributing the acquired targets between launching unit’s operators. The VERBA 9K333 uses a new integrated automated control system (ACS) terminal offering the possibility to fire individually and as part of the battery. Through the ACS the commander uses data not only from ground radar but also, according to some data, even from early radar warning aircraft. It can see its targets in advance and then distribute them among operators of MANPADS in automatic mode. The ACS tracks potential targets before they are within engagement range, and automatically assigns the task to the launcher crew that is best poised to fire on the target. With the news ACS, the VERBA Verba crews’ reaction time is reduced by a factor of 10 (from a previous time of 3 to 5 minutes).