The AS-25K is an Argentine air-to-surface missile (ASM) under development by the CITEFA ("Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas de las FFAA" - Armed Forces Scientific and Technical Research Institute) in 2 versions: air-sea and air-land. The main user is the COAN (COmando Aviación Naval - Naval Aviation Command) of the Argentine Navy.
It is propelled by a booster rocket and a solid propergol sustainer rocket, with a range of 25 km at a speed of Mach-2. Its total weight is less than 240 kg, and its warhead is composed by approximately 60 kg of Hexolite 50.50.
Variants[]
Four variants are being considered, differing basically in the guidance system:
- AS-25K-RC - Radio Commanded
- AS-25K-IR - Passive Infra-Red
- AS-25K-LS - Laser
- AS-25K-TV - Television
It has been reported that the IR version is already developed and ready for testing. Work is being done in a laser guidance system for the LS version. Research for the TV version is being commenced.
Relation with Martin Pescador[]
The AS-25K is a development of the Martin Pescador MP-1000 Argentine air-to-surface missile, currently in use also by the Argentine Navy. The main differences are:
- Enhanced speed and range (thanks to the booster acceleration)
- Improved guidance on height/range and azimuth (the MP-1000 can only be guided in height/range)
- Fire-and-forget guidance system (thanks to the IR seeker, the MP-1000 has only manual radioelectric guidance).
- Greater range (estimated at 25 km, that's why the "25K" missile denomination).
Technical specifications[]
- Type: Anti-ship missile
- Manufacturer: CITEFA
- Diameter: ? cm (? in)
- Length: ? m (? in)
- Wingspan: ? cm (? in)
- Standard warhead weight: 60 kg (132.3 lb)
- Warhead type: ?
- Maximum range: 25 km (15.55 mi)
- Guidance: IR or TV
See also[]
- CITEFA Mathogo anti-tank missile
- CITEFA Martin Pescador MP-1000 air-to-surface missile
- List of anti-ship missiles
References[]
External links[]
- (Spanish) Weaponry of the COAN
- (Spanish) CITEFA web site (also in English)
The original article can be found at CITEFA AS-25K and the edit history here.