Russia & CIS Observer / Archive / №3 (22) August 2008 / DEFENSE / New Approach for Russian Missiles /
Alexey Komarov
The long-awaited Kh-38ME missile with modular design is designed as a successor to the Kh-25 type of Russia’s tactical air-to-surface weapons
Russia's Tactical Missiles Corporation (TMC) has begun marketing a number of new and upgraded air-to-ground guided weapons, while other new-generation systems — including air-to-air missiles — await clearance to be revealed publically.
During last year's Moscow MAKS air show, Tactical Missiles Corporation presented full-scale mockups of several new developments, although the initial details of these designs were revealed only late this June. According to company officials, the lengthy and highly bureaucratic procedure in clearing weapons for export marketing took longer than expected, preventing their full-scale presentation at the 2008 Farnborough Airshow.
Among the most long-awaited products of Tactical Missiles Corporation is the Kh-38ME, a modular guided weapon designed to succeed the Kh-25 (AS-10 Karen/AS-12 Kegler) tactical air-to-surface weapon. Kh-25 variants were produced in substantial numbers for the Soviet Air Force, and later the Russian Air Force, and have also been widely exported.
The Kh-38M program has reportedly been in development for more than a decade, but it was badly affected by the lack of financing experienced by the Russian defense sector from the mid-1990s through the beginning of this decade.
Today, Tactical Missiles Corp. is presenting four versions of its Kh-38M, intended to destroy a wide range of armored and fortified targets with different modular types of warheads and seekers. The Kh-38ML uses a semi-active laser seeker, the Kh-38MK zeroes in on the target using GLONASS satellite navigation, the Kh-38MT has an infrared electro-optical seeker, and the Kh-38MA is fitted with an active-radar seeker. All of these variants also use inertial guidance. The E designation at the end of abbreviation, such as in the Kh-38MLE, identifies an export variant of the missile.
The Kh-38M is significantly heavier than the Kh-25 family, weighing in at up to 520 kg for launch, compared to 330-350 kg for the Kh-25. The warhead's maximum weight also has increased, up to 250 kg. This new missile is half a meter longer than its predecessor (4.2 meters, compared to 3.7 meters); its body diameter is 0.31 meters, compared to the Kh-25's 0.275-meter diameter. Fins at the mid-body and in the rear fold up for compact external carriage and allow for installation in an internal fuselage weapons bay. The Kh-38 has a published maximum launch range out to 40 km, which is almost the same as stated for the anti-radiation Kh-25MP.
In addition to its increased range, the Kh-59MK2 stand-off land-attack missile is believed to use some form of electro-optical target scene-matching during the terminal phase of flight
The list of existing guided weapons that Tactical Missiles Corporation is offering to foreign customers is further extended with the Kh-59MK2, a version of the Kh-59MK (AS-18 Kazoo) stand-off weapon; the Kh-58UShK wide-band anti-radiation missile, and the heavy laser-guided KAB-1500LG-F-E air bomb.
The Kh-59MK2 is an increased-range version of the Kh-59M (AS-18 Kazoo) autonomous stand-off land-attack weapon, which is believed to use some form of electro-optical target scene-matching for the terminal phase. The earlier land-attack Kh-59M variant required a man-in-the-loop for TV-command guidance during the terminal phase, although the Kh-59MK anti-ship variant is equipped with an active radar seeker.
The Kh-59MK2's terminal guidance appears to operate by comparing imagery in the terminal phase with pre-loaded target imagery based on a 3D map. Claimed accuracy is a 5-meter (16-ft.) circular error probability.
The new version uses the same configuration as the Kh-59MK anti-ship variant, and has practically the same maximum flight range of 285 km, which is significantly more than that for the basic Kh-59M. The Kh-59MK2 cruises to the target at an altitude of 50-300 meters, with flight speeds of 900-1,050 km/hour. The missile could be equipped with penetrating or shaped charge warheads weighing 320 and 283 kg, respectively. Launch weight of the new missile is up to 900 kg, its length is 5.7 meters, and the wingspan is 1.3 meters.
With its folding wings, the Kh-58UShK anti–radiation missile can be carried inside an aircraft’s fuselage, which is an attractive feature for Russia’s new-generation stealthy fighter, the Sukhoi T-50
Another new version of an existing product is the Kh-58UShK anti-radiation missile (an upgrade of the Kh-58, or AS-11 Kilter), which has a wide-band seeker. Its folding wings allow the weapon to be carried internally — an attractive feature for new-generation stealthy aircraft such as Sukhoi's T-50 fighter, which is still under development. It is believed the new missile's overall length was reduced to 4.19 meters, compared with the 4.8-meter length of the initial Kh-58, to make it compatible with the T-50 combat aircraft.
The new variant can be used against pre-programmed targets, as well as targets detected and designated by the carrier aircraft. It features an increased range of up to 245 km (the basic model has a 200 km. max range). Launch weight of Kh-58UShK is 650 kg, while high-explosive warhead weighs 149 kg (both parameters are equal to the basic missile version). External dimensions with folded wings are a length of 4.19 meters, a width of 0.4 meters, and a height of 0.4 meters.
The existing range of guided bombs was extended with the KAB-1500LG-F-E, which carries a passive laser homing seeker. The previous variant (the KAB-1500Kr) was equipped with TV/terrain-matching homing heads.
This year's ILA Berlin Air Show in Germany — which was held just prior to the 2008 Farnborough event — provided a good opportunity for Russia to promote new weapons for existing and future launch platforms, especially since India was included at the Berlin gathering as a "strategic partner." MiG Corp. wanted to make a good impression on India, and revealed a batch of new missiles for the weapons list of its MiG-35 4++ generation fighter — which has been promoted as a candidate for India's new MMRCA combat aircraft tender. According to MiG Corp., the MiG-35's air-to-ground weapons can include the Kh-31PD and Kh-59M2E missiles, as well as the KAB-250S-E guided bomb. The list of air-to-air weapons included two other new missiles — the short-range RVV-MD and medium-range RVV-SD. Certain details on these weapons are expected to be revealed soon.
