The system engages moving and stationary armoured targets, such as modern tanks and infantry combat vehicles; anti-tank missiles; air defence missiles; hardened targets and field fortifications such as pillboxes, concrete and logged emplacements; and slow speed low flying air targets such as helicopters.

The Shturm-S system is a self propelled, automatically loaded launcher, which operates in direct visibility conditions. The system can fire while stationary, on short halts and while afloat.

An airborne version of the missile system, Shturm-V, has been developed to equip helicopters such as the Mi-24 and the Ka-29. Up to eight missiles can be carried. A shipborne version consists of a launcher for six Ataka missiles with stabilised optical sight.

The missile uses a semi-automatic radio-command guidance system, which is highly robust against hostile jamming. The radio guidance system is encoded and the pulsed infrared tracking signal provides protection against active jamming. The Shturm-S missile is outfitted with the Pyl software programme that ensures the missile proceeds on an overfly trajectory until it approaches the target, allowing the gunner to acquire and maintain tracking on the target in limited visibility conditions.

The vehicle carries 12 missile rounds and can prepare to fire in 15 seconds. The rate of fire is 3 to 4 rounds per minute and reloading is automatic. The system can engage airborne targets with approach speeds to 80 km/hour and cross speeds to 60 km/hour.

The missile system comprises the combat systems, maintenance equipment and training aids. The maintenance equipment comprises two test vehicles, one for maintenance of the guidance and control systems of the missile carrier and the other a test vehicle for missile maintenance.

An integrated logistics support service provides technical support and training in maintenance, repair and operations. Training aids include simulators and practice dummy missiles.

The Shturm missile, which carries the Russian designation 9M114 and is known by the Nato designation AT-6 Spiral, is a 130 mm calibre anti-tank missile with a range of 400 to 5,000 metres. The monoblock, shaped charge blast-type warhead provides an armour penetration of 560 mm. The missile approaches the target with a speed of 400 metres per second.

The Ataka missile, which carries the Russian designation 9M120 and Nato designation AT-9, is an upgraded version of the Shturm missile. It is fired from existing Shturm launch vehicles. The Ataka has a longer range of 6000 and is slightly heavier. Warhead options include a tandem shaped-charge HEAT (high explosive anti-tank) warhead for deployment against advanced main battle tanks provided with explosive reactive armour (ERA), a blast warhead to defeat light armoured vehicles, field fortifications and small ships and a rod warhead to engage helicopters and other air targets. The Ataka missile also equips the Mi-28N combat helicopter.