Kh-15

Raduga Kh-15
(NATO reporting name: AS-16 'Kickback')
Raduga Kh-15
TypeAir-launched ballistic missile
Air-to-ground missile
Anti-radiation missile (Kh-15P)
Anti-ship missile (Kh-15S)
Place of originSoviet Union
Service history
In service1980
Used byRussia
Production history
DesignerRaduga
Designed1974–1980
ManufacturerDubna Machine-building Plant
Produced1980
Specifications
Mass1,200 kg (2,650 lb)
Length478 cm (15 ft 8 in)
Diameter45.5 cm (17.9 in)
Wingspan92 cm (36.2 in) maximum
Warheadconventional or nuclear
Warhead weight150 kg (331 lb)
Blast yield300 kt
Enginesolid-fuel RDTT-160
Operational
range
300 km (160 nmi)
Flight ceiling40,000 m (130,000 ft)
Maximum speed Up to Mach 5[1]
Guidance
system
inertial guidance, active radar homing, or anti-radiation missile
Launch
platform
Tu-22M3, [1]

The Raduga Kh-15 or RKV-15 (Russian: Х-15; NATO: AS-16 "Kickback"; GRAU:) is a Russian hypersonic aero-ballistic air-to-ground missile carried by the Tupolev Tu-22M and other bombers. Originally developed as a standoff nuclear air-to-ground missile similar to the U.S. Air Force's AGM-69 SRAM, versions with conventional warheads have been developed.

As of early 2019, it was uncertain whether the Kh-15 was in service, with rumors that it had been retired or placed in storage.[2]

Development

In 1967, MKB Raduga started developing the Kh-2000 as a replacement for the Kh-22 (NATO reporting name AS-4 Kitchen) heavy anti-shipping missile.[1] Development of the Kh-15 started some time in the early 1970s.[3] 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 (Flanker-E) tactical aircraft.[3]

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.[1]

Operational history

It entered service in 1980. It can be carried by the Su-33, Su-34, Tu-95MS-6 'Bear-H', Tu-22M3 'Backfire C', and Tu-160 'Blackjack'.[4]

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

Similar weapons

  • 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 Kh-35 Anti-Ship missile, 250 km range
  • AGM-69 SRAM - 1000 kg US missile with up to 170 km range
  • Kh-15 from rear
    Kh-15 from rear
  • Mission profile (anti-ship version)
    Mission profile (anti-ship version)

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Kh-15, RKV-15 (AS-16 'Kickback')", Jane's Air-Launched Weapons, 2008-08-01, archived from the original on 2019-10-18, retrieved 2009-02-03
  2. ^ Kristensen, Hans M.; Korda, Matt (4 March 2019). "Russian nuclear forces, 2019". Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. 75 (2): 73–84. Bibcode:2019BuAtS..75b..73K. doi:10.1080/00963402.2019.1580891.
  3. ^ a b "Kh-15 (AS-16 'Kickback'/RKV-15)", Jane's Strategic Weapon Systems, 2008-09-02, archived from the original on 2019-10-18, retrieved 2009-02-06
  4. ^ "АО "Корпорация Тактическое Ракетное Вооружение"". Archived from the original on 2014-08-06. Retrieved 2016-08-25.

References

  • Gordon, Yefim (2004). Soviet/Russian Aircraft Weapons Since World War Two. Hinckley, England: Midland Publishing. ISBN 1-85780-188-1.
  • Healey, John K. (January–February 2004). "Retired Warriors: 'Cold War' Bomber Legacy". Air Enthusiast. No. 109. pp. 75–79. ISSN 0143-5450.