Kh-15
Raduga Kh-15 (NATO reporting name: AS-16 'Kickback') | |
---|---|
Raduga Kh-15 | |
Type |
air-to-surface missile antitank missile |
Place of origin | Soviet Union |
Service history | |
In service | 1988 |
Used by | Russia |
Production history | |
Designer | Raduga |
Designed | 1970s–1980s |
Specifications | |
Weight | 1,200 kg (2,650 lb) |
Length | 478 cm (15 ft 8 in) |
Diameter | 45.5 cm (17.9 in) |
Warhead weight | 150 kg (331 lb) |
| |
Wingspan | 92 cm (36.2 in) maximum |
Operational range | 300 km (160 nmi) |
Speed | Up to Mach 5[1] |
Guidance system | inertial guidance, active radar homing, or anti-radiation missile |
Launch platform | Tu-95MS-6, Tu-22M3, and Tu-160 [1] |
The Raduga Kh-15 or RKV-15 (Russian: Х-15; NATO: AS-16 'Kickback'; GRAU:) is a Russian air-to-surface missile carried by the Tupolev Tu-22M and other bombers. Originally a standoff nuclear weapon similar to the U.S. Air Force's AGM-69 SRAM, versions with conventional warheads have been developed.
Development
In 1967, MKB Raduga started developing the Kh-2000 as a replacement for the Kh-22 AS-4 'Kitchen' heavy anti-shipping missile.[1] Development of the Kh-15 started some time in the early 1970s.[2] The sophistication of the design made it suitable for other roles, and a nuclear-tipped version was developed in tandem with the conventionally armed variant.[1] An upgrade under development was cancelled in 1991, but reports in 1998 suggested an upgraded Kh-15 might be fitted to Su-35 tactical aircraft.[2]
Design
The Kh-15 climbs to an altitude of about 40,000 m (130,000 ft) and then dives in on the target, accelerating to a speed of about Mach 5, which makes it the fastest aircraft-launched missile to date.[1]
Operational history
It entered service in 1988.[3] It can be carried by the Tu-95MS-6 'Bear-H', Tu-22M3 'Backfire C', and Tu-160 'Blackjack'.[1] The Tu-22M3 can carry six missiles on a MKU-6-1 rotary launcher in its bomb bay, plus four missiles on two underwing pylons for a total of ten missiles per aircraft.[2] It is reported that the Tu-160 can carry two MKU-6-1s for a total of twelve missiles internally.[2]
Variants
- Kh-15 (RKV-15) - the original version with nuclear warhead and inertial guidance
- Kh-15P - passive seeker for anti-radar use
- Kh-15S - active radar seeker for anti-shipping use[1]
Operators
Current
Former
- Soviet Union- Passed onto successor states
Similar weapons
- Raduga KSR-5 (AS-6 'Kingfish') - heavy anti-surface missile carried under the wings of Tu-22M
- Kh-59 (AS-13 'Kingbolt') - ASM for tactical aircraft, up to 285 km range
- Kh-37 (updated version of AS-20 'Kayak') - land attack version of subsonic 'Harpoonski', 250 km range
- AGM-69 SRAM - 1000 kg US missile with up to 170 km range
Notes
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Kh-15, RKV-15 (AS-16 'Kickback')", Jane's Air-Launched Weapons, 2008-08-01, retrieved 2009-02-03
- 1 2 3 4 "Kh-15 (AS-16 'Kickback'/RKV-15)", Jane's Strategic Weapon Systems, 2008-09-02, retrieved 2009-02-06
- ↑ http://www.eng.ktrv.ru/news/publ/830.html?PHPSESSID=b55062d53f861256438076e6c6d01f44
References
- Gordon, Yefim (2004). Soviet/Russian Aircraft Weapons Since World War Two. Hinckley, England: Midland Publishing. ISBN 1-85780-188-1.