| Raduga Kh-15 (NATO reporting name: AS-16 'Kickback') | |
|---|---|
 Raduga Kh-15 | |
| Type | air-to-surface missile |
| Place of origin | Soviet Union |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Russia |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Raduga |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 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) |
Operational range | 300 km (160 nmi) |
| Maximum speed | Up to Mach 5[1] |
Guidance system | inertial, active radar, or anti-radiation |
Launch platform | Tu-95MS-6, Tu-22M3, and Tu-160 [1] |
Kh-15 from rear
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 US 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 the early 1980s. 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-6-1's 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[]
Russia
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[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 "Kh-15, RKV-15 (AS-16 'Kickback')". 2008-08-01. http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-Air-Launched-Weapons/Kh-15-RKV-15-AS-16-Kickback-Russian-Federation.html. Retrieved 2009-02-03.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Kh-15 (AS-16 'Kickback'/RKV-15)". 2008-09-02. http://www.janes.com/extracts/extract/jsws/jsws0486.html. Retrieved 2009-02-06.
References[]
- Gordon, Yefim (2004). Soviet/Russian Aircraft Weapons Since World War Two. Hinckley, England: Midland Publishing. ISBN 1-85780-188-1.
The original article can be found at Kh-15 and the edit history here.