Kh-15
The Raduga Kh-15 or RKV-15 (Template:Langx; NATO: AS-16 "Kickback") is a Soviet 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.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
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.<ref name="Janes">Template:Citation</ref> Development of the Kh-15 started some time in the early 1970s.<ref name="JSWS">Template:Citation</ref> 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.<ref name="Janes" /> 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.<ref name="JSWS" />
Design
The Kh-15 climbs to an altitude of about Template:Convert and then dives in on the target, accelerating to a speed of about Mach 5.<ref name="Janes" />
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'.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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<ref name="Janes" />
Operators
Current
Former
- Template:USSR - Passed onto successor states
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
Photo Gallery
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Kh-15 from rear
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Mission profile (anti-ship version)
Notes
References
Template:Russian and Soviet missiles Template:USAF/DoD reporting names
- Pages with broken file links
- Anti-radiation missiles of the Soviet Union
- Cold War air-to-surface missiles of the Soviet Union
- Cold War anti-ship missiles of the Soviet Union
- Air-launched ballistic missiles
- Air-to-surface missiles of the Soviet Union
- Anti-ship missiles of the Soviet Union
- MKB Raduga products
- Nuclear air-to-surface missiles
- Military equipment introduced in the 1980s