View source for Kh-55

{{short description|Family of Soviet air-launched cruise missiles}}
{{Merge from|Kh-BD|date=September 2025|discuss=Talk:Kh-BD}}
{{redirect|Х-55|similar topics|X55 (disambiguation)}}
{{use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{More citations needed|date=October 2015}}
{{Infobox weapon
| is_missile         = yes
| name               = Kh-55/65/555<br /><small>AS-15 Kent</small>
| image              = H-55 AS-15 Kent 2008 G1.jpg
| image_size         = 300px
| caption            = Kh-55 in the [[Ukrainian Air Force]] Museum
| origin             = [[Soviet Union]]
| type               = [[Air-launched cruise missile]]
| used_by            = Soviet Union, Russia, China, Iran
| wars               = [[Syrian Civil War]]<ref name=aviasyr>{{cite web|url=http://theaviationist.com/2015/11/17/russian-tu-22s-joined-the-syria-air-war/|title=25 Russian long-range strategic bombers in action over Syria for the very first time|date=17 November 2015|website=Theaviationist.com|access-date=1 November 2017|archive-date=20 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120031928/http://theaviationist.com/2015/11/17/russian-tu-22s-joined-the-syria-air-war/|url-status=live}}</ref><br />[[Russian invasion of Ukraine]]<ref name=IISS>{{cite web|url=https://www.iiss.org/blogs/military-balance/2022/04/ukraine-russias-air-launched-cruise-missiles-coming-up-short|title=Ukraine: Russia's air-launched cruise missiles coming up short|author=Douglas Barrie|publisher=The International Institute for Strategic Studies|date=1 April 2022|accessdate=15 September 2022|archive-date=30 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930210209/https://www.iiss.org/blogs/military-balance/2022/04/ukraine-russias-air-launched-cruise-missiles-coming-up-short|url-status=live}}</ref>
| design_date        = 1971–1981
| manufacturer       = [[MKB Raduga|Raduga OKB]], KhAZ ([[Kharkiv]]), Novator (MZiK) & NPP Temp (Eka) NPO Strela (Oren), else
| propellant         = jet fuel
| production_date    = 1981
| service            = 1983–present
| engine             = R95TP-300 Turbofan<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.amntksoyuz.ru/en/|title=ОАО "АМНТК "Союз" |website=www.amntksoyuz.ru |access-date=30 November 2019|archive-date=5 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205101707/http://www.amntksoyuz.ru/en/|url-status=live}}</ref>/turbofan (Kh-55/Kh-55SM)
| engine_power       = 360-400 kgf (Kh-55/Kh-55SM)
| weight             = {{convert|1650|kg|lb|abbr=on|sigfig=3}} (Kh-65SE)<ref name="JSWS" /><br />{{convert|2400|kg|lb|abbr=on}} (Kh-101)<ref name="JDW-101">{{citation|url=http://www.janes.com/extract/jdw95/jdw01140.html |title=Air Force Priority Given To Conventional Cruise |journal=Jane's Defence Weekly |date=1995-08-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090604084412/http://www.janes.com/extract/jdw95/jdw01140.html |archive-date=June 4, 2009 }}</ref>
| length             = {{convert|604|cm|ftin|abbr=on|sigfig=2}} (Kh-65SE)<ref name="JSWS" /><br />{{convert|745|cm|ftin|abbr=on|sigfig=2}} (Kh-101)<ref name="JDW-101" />
| diameter           = {{convert|51.4|cm|in|abbr=on|1}} (Kh-55/Kh-55SM)
| wingspan           = {{convert|310|cm|in|abbr=on|1}} (Kh-55/Kh-55SM)
| speed              = Mach 0.75 (KH-SD)<ref name="JSWS" /><br />Mach 0.6-0.78 (Kh-101)<ref name="JDW-101" />
| vehicle_range      = {{convert|2500|km|nmi|abbr=on|sigfig=2}} (Kh-55)<br />{{convert|3000|km|nmi|abbr=on|sigfig=2}} (Kh-55SM)<br />{{convert|600|km|nmi|abbr=on|sigfig=2}} (Kh-65SE)<ref name="JSWS" /><br />300&nbsp;km, later 600&nbsp;km (Kh-SD)<ref name="JSWS" />
| altitude           = under 110 m/300&nbsp;ft
| filling            = [[Thermonuclear weapon]] or Conventional warhead
| yield              = 200kt Nuclear (Kh-55/Kh-55SM)
| guidance           = [[inertial guidance]] with [[Doppler navigation|Doppler radar]]/[[Topographic map|terrain map]] updates; Kh-SD had a [[TERCOM|TC]]/[[infrared homing|IIR]] terminal guidance system, and an alternative [[active radar homing]] seeker was proposed
| launch_platform    = [[Tu-95|Tu-95MS]], [[Tu-160]], [[Su-34]]<ref name="JSWS101" />
}}

The '''Kh-55''' ({{langx|ru|[[Kha (Cyrillic)|Х]]-55}}{{notetag|The cyrillic letter "[[Kha (Cyrillic)|Kha]]" is in English transcribed as either Kh or X, so Kh series missiles may appear in some texts as X-55, X-65, X-101 and so on.}}, also known as '''RKV-500'''; [[NATO reporting name]]: '''AS-15 "Kent"''') is a [[Soviet Union|Soviet]]/Russian subsonic [[air-launched cruise missile]], designed by [[MKB Raduga]] in the 1970s. It has a range of up to {{convert|2500|km|nmi|sigfig=3|abbr=on}} and can carry [[thermonuclear weapon|nuclear]] warheads. Kh-55 is launched exclusively from bomber aircraft and has spawned a number of conventionally armed variants mainly for tactical use, such as the '''Kh-65SE''' and '''Kh-SD''', but only the '''Kh-555''' appears to have been put into service. The Kh-55 was not the basis of the submarine and ground-launched S-10 Granat or [[RK-55]] ''Relief'' (SS-N-21{{nbs}}"Sampson" and SSC-X-4{{nbs}}"Slingshot") designed by [[NPO Novator]]. The RK-55 is very similar to the air-launched Kh-55 (AS-15 "Kent") but the Kh-55 has a drop-down turbofan engine and was designed by MKB Raduga.

==Development==
In the late 1960s, the "Ekho" study conducted by the [[GosNIIAS]] institute concluded that it would be more effective to deploy many small, subsonic cruise missiles than the much more expensive supersonic missiles then in favour.<ref name="JALW">{{citation|url=http://www.janes.com/extracts/extract/jalw/jalw2922.html |title=Kh-55/RKV-500A, Kh-55SM/RKV-500B, Kh-555 and Kh-65SE (AS-15 "Kent") |journal=Jane's Air-Launched Weapons |date=2008-08-01 |access-date=2009-02-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090604084422/http://www.janes.com/extracts/extract/jalw/jalw2922.html |archive-date=June 4, 2009 }}</ref> Work started at the Raduga bureau on an air-launched cruise missile in 1971, with a first test flight in 1976.<ref name="Janes">{{citation|url=http://www.janes.com/extracts/extract/jsws/jsws0485.html |title=Kh-55 (AS-15 'Kent'/Kh-555/RKV-500/Kh-65) |journal=Jane's Strategic Weapon Systems |date=2008-09-09 |access-date=2009-02-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090204185720/http://www.janes.com/extracts/extract/jsws/jsws0485.html |archive-date=February 4, 2009 }}</ref> The appearance of the US Air Force's [[AGM-86 ALCM]] in that year gave further impetus to the programme, with the Soviet Air Force issuing a formal requirement for a new air-launched cruise  missile in December 1976.<ref name="JALW" /> The longer-range Kh-55SM was developed a few years after the original went into service.<ref name="JSWS101">{{citation | url=http://www.janes.com/extracts/extract/jsws/jsws9082.html | title=Kh-101/-102 | journal=Jane's Strategic Weapon Systems | date=2008-09-08 | access-date=2009-02-06 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080804151642/http://www.janes.com/extracts/extract/jsws/jsws9082.html |archive-date = August 4, 2008}}</ref>

After the end of the Cold War and anti-proliferation treaties restricting the deployment of long-range nuclear missiles, the Russians made efforts to develop tactical versions of the Kh-55 with conventional warheads. First came the 600&nbsp;km-range Kh-65SE (derived from the Kh-55) announced in 1992, then the 300&nbsp;km-range Kh-SD tactical version of the Kh-101 for export, and finally the Kh-555.<ref name="JSWS" /> In 2001 the Russian Air Force are believed to have selected the Kh-101 and Kh-555 for development.<ref name="JSWS" />

A 1995 Russian document suggested that a complete production facility had been transferred to Shanghai, for the development of a nuclear-armed cruise missile. Originally it was thought that this was based on the 300&nbsp;km-range Raduga [[Kh-15]] (AS-16 "Kickback"), but it appears that it was the Kh-55 that was transferred to China.<ref>{{citation|title=China's new cruise missile programme "racing ahead" |url=http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-Defence-Weekly-2000/China-s-new-cruise-missile-programme-racing-ahead.html |date=2000-01-12 |journal=Jane's Defence Weekly |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090205025026/http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-Defence-Weekly-2000/China-s-new-cruise-missile-programme-racing-ahead.html |archive-date=February 5, 2009 }}</ref>

==Design==
[[File:Ch-55 Schnittmodell.jpg|thumb|R-95-300 [[turbofan]]]]
The original Kh-55 was powered by a drop-down, now-Ukrainian-made 400 kgf [[Motor Sich]] JSC R95-300 [[turbofan]] engine, with pop-out wings for cruising efficiency. The Kh-65SE version had a fixed external turbojet engine, while the Kh-SD had its engine inside the body of the missile. Production versions in 2013 were equipped with the increased-power 450 kgf Russian-made NPO Saturn TRDD-50A engine.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.npo-saturn.ru/?sat=7&rssid=1373900471|title=ПАО "ОДК-САТУРН" |first=Соколов |last=Константин |website=Npo-saturn.ru |date=15 July 2013|access-date=4 May 2014|archive-date=15 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215100628/http://www.uec-saturn.ru/?sat=7&rssid=1373900471|url-status=live}}</ref>

The missile can be launched from both high and low altitudes, and flies at subsonic speeds at low levels (under 110 m/300&nbsp;ft altitude). After launch, the missile's folded wings, tail surfaces and engine deploy. It is guided through a combination of an [[inertial guidance system]] plus a terrain contour-matching guidance system which uses [[radar]] and images stored in the memory of an onboard computer to find its target. This allows the missile to guide itself to the target with a high degree of accuracy.

In the nuclear role, Kh-55 carries a {{convert|200|ktTNT}} warhead designated TK66, with a warhead weight of {{convert|130|kg}}. The mass-size simulator for the warhead is designated KTS-120-12.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://mil.in.ua/en/news/russia-begins-using-soviet-era-kh-55-missiles-that-are-capable-of-carrying-a-nuclear-warhead-general-staff/ |title=Russia begins using Soviet-era Kh-55 missiles that are capable of carrying a nuclear warhead – General Staff |last= |first= |date=2 Dec 2022 |website=Ukraine Military News |publisher= |access-date=13 Dec 2022 |quote= |archive-date=13 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213062908/https://mil.in.ua/en/news/russia-begins-using-soviet-era-kh-55-missiles-that-are-capable-of-carrying-a-nuclear-warhead-general-staff/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Operational history==
The original Kh-55 entered service on 31 December 1983.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ktrv.ru/about/structure/458/459/|title=ОАО "Корпорация Тактическое Ракетное Вооружение"|website=Ktrv.ru|access-date=23 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140806154247/http://www.ktrv.ru/about/structure/458/459/|archive-date=6 August 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Kh-55SM followed in 1987.<ref name="Janes" /> The conventionally armed Kh-55SE was flight tested on 13 January 2000, and first used in exercises over the Black Sea 17–22 April 2000.<ref name="55SE">{{citation|title=Kh-55SE cruise missile used in exercises |url=http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-Missiles-And-Rockets-2000/Kh-55SE-cruise-missile-used-in-exercises.html |journal=Jane's Missiles and Rockets |date=2000-05-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202170501/http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-Missiles-And-Rockets-2000/Kh-55SE-cruise-missile-used-in-exercises.html |archive-date=February 2, 2009 }}</ref> The Kh-555 is thought to have entered service in 2004.<ref name=newsru/><ref name="JDSN-101"/>

The Kh-55 can be carried by the [[Tupolev Tu-95|Tu-95MS]] (NATO "Bear-H")<ref name="Janes" /> and [[Tupolev Tu-142|Tu-142M]] (NATO "Bear-F"),<ref name="Janes" /> and the Kh-55SM is carried by the [[Tupolev Tu-160]] "White Swan" (NATO "Blackjack").<ref name="Janes" /> Sixteen Kh-55s can be carried by the Tu-95MS16 variant, ten on underwing hardpoints and six on an MKU-5-6 rotary launcher.<ref name="JDSN-101">{{citation|url=http://www.janes.com/news/defence/systems/jdw/jdw071022_1_n.shtml |title=Details emerge of Russia's latest cruise missiles |journal=Jane's Defence Systems News |date=2007-10-22 |access-date=2009-02-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080225163154/http://www.janes.com/news/defence/systems/jdw/jdw071022_1_n.shtml |archive-date=February 25, 2008 }}</ref> The missile was also tested on the [[Tupolev Tu-22M|Tu-22M]] (NATO "Backfire") bombers.<ref name="Janes" />

The end of the [[Cold War]] left [[Military of Ukraine|Ukraine]] with 1,612 Kh-55s, part of the armament of the 19 Tu-160s of the 184th Heavy Bomber Regiment at [[Pryluky]] and the 25 Tu-95MSs of the 182nd Heavy Bomber Regiment at [[Uzin-Shepelovka]].<ref name="JIR">{{citation|title=Russia's strategic bomber fleet achieves new heights |url=http://www.janes.com/extract/jir2000/jir00109.html |date=2000-03-01 |journal=Jane's Intelligence Review |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202171834/http://www.janes.com/extract/jir2000/jir00109.html |archive-date=February 2, 2009 }}</ref> It was reported that Ukraine demanded US$3 billion for the return of the planes and their missiles to Russia.<ref name="JIR" /> In October 1999, a compromise was reached that saw Russia pay US$285 million for eight Tu-160 and three Tu-95MS bombers and 575 Kh-55 cruise missiles,<ref name="JIR" /> while the rest were meant to be destroyed under U.S.-led [[Nunn–Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction]] programme.<ref name="FT">{{citation | first=Tom | last=Warner | title=Ukraine admits exporting missiles to Iran and China | journal=Financial Times | date=2005-03-18 |url=https://www.ft.com/content/abf8cc64-9753-11d9-9f01-00000e2511c8|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080315013151/https://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/abf8cc64-9753-11d9-9f01-00000e2511c8.html|archive-date=2008-03-15|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, in March 2005 Ukraine's prosecutor-general [[Sviatoslav Piskun]] said that in 2001, twelve Kh-55s had been exported to [[Military of Iran|Iran]] in a deal said to be worth US$49.5 million,<ref>{{cite report|url=http://www.ausairpower.net/APA-Cruise-Missile-Proliferation.html|title=Bypassing the NMD - the Cruise Missile Proliferation Problem|author=C Kopp|publisher=Asia Pacific Defence Reporter|via=Air Power Australia|date=27 January 2014|pages=1 |orig-date=Originally published 2005, updated several times|id=APA-TR-2007-0708|access-date=9 March 2010|archive-date=12 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100612033638/http://ausairpower.net/APA-Cruise-Missile-Proliferation.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and an additional six Kh-55s were exported to China.<ref name="FT" /> In March 2015, Iran subsequently revealed the existence of the [[Soumar (missile)|Soumar]] cruise missile.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Iran Unveils New Long-range Cruise Missile |language=en |work=Haaretz |url=https://www.haaretz.com/.premium-iran-unveils-new-long-range-cruise-missile-1.5333903 |last=Pfeffer |first=Anshel |date=8 March 2015 |access-date=4 April 2022 |archive-date=4 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404182811/https://www.haaretz.com/.premium-iran-unveils-new-long-range-cruise-missile-1.5333903 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Syrian Civil War===
In the course of the [[Russian military intervention in the Syrian Civil War]] on 17 November 2015, [[Ministry of Defence (Russia)|Russian Defence Ministry]] reported that Tupolev Tu-95MS and Tupolev Tu-160 strategic bombers launched a total of 34 air-launched cruise missiles against 14 [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|ISIL]] targets in Syria.<ref>{{youTube|GQh5BVcz8g8}}{{dead link|date=January 2020}}</ref><ref name=janessyria/> While the Tu-95MS used the Kh-55 cruise missiles,<ref>{{youTube|E6ro3Yrr3Ko}}</ref> the Tu-160 were equipped with the stealthy Kh-101 variant in their first combat use.<ref name=janessyria>{{cite news|first1=Nicholas|last1=Larrinaga|title=Russia launches long-range air sorties into Syria|url=http://www.janes.com/article/56062/russia-launches-long-range-air-sorties-into-syria|access-date=18 November 2015|work=IHS Jane's Defence Weekly|publisher=IHS Jane's 360|date=17 November 2015|archive-date=18 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118145706/http://www.janes.com/article/56062/russia-launches-long-range-air-sorties-into-syria|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/russian-bombers-deploy-kh-101-cruise-missiles-over-s-419305/|title=Russian bombers deploy Kh-101 cruise missiles over Syria|date=19 November 2015|website=Flightglobal.com|access-date=1 November 2017|archive-date=17 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017202501/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/russian-bombers-deploy-kh-101-cruise-missiles-over-s-419305/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{youTube|d48LHI6u3bY}}</ref><ref>{{youTube|Ja_kvsngEFI}}</ref>

[[File:Tu-95MS fired Kh-101 cruise missiles at ISIS objects in SYRIA.webm|thumb|right|Video showing Russian [[Tu-95MS]] launching Kh-101 cruise missiles in September 2017 at targets in northern Syria.]]

Russian news agency [[TASS]] reported on 17 November 2016 that modernized Tu-95MS armed with Kh-555 and Kh-101 air-launched cruise missiles had launched airstrikes against targets described as terrorist in Syria.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tass.com/defense/913141|title=Russian bombers deliver strike at terrorist strongholds in Syria — Defense Ministry|publisher=TASS|date=17 November 2016|access-date=20 November 2016|archive-date=21 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161121072801/http://tass.com/defense/913141|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://tass.com/defense/913163|title=Russia's Tupolev-95MSM bomber delivers first-ever strike on mission to Syria|publisher=TASS|date=17 November 2016|access-date=20 November 2016|archive-date=1 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101214724/https://tass.com/defense/913163|url-status=live}}</ref>

===2022 invasion of Ukraine===
The [[UK Ministry of Defence]] said in November 2022 that it appeared that Russian forces, due to very much depleted weapons stores, were firing old AS-15 Kent cruise missiles with the nuclear warheads apparently replaced by inert ballast, hoping merely to distract Ukrainian air defenses.<ref>{{cite news| title=Russia firing ageing cruise missiles because stocks are depleted, MoD suggests| author=<!--not stated-->| newspaper=The Guardian| date=26 November 2022| url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/nov/26/russia-firing-ageing-cruise-missiles-because-stocks-are-depleted-mod-suggests| access-date=26 November 2022| archive-date=26 November 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126135713/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/nov/26/russia-firing-ageing-cruise-missiles-because-stocks-are-depleted-mod-suggests| url-status=live}}</ref> However the missiles can still pose a serious risk due to their kinetic energy and any unspent fuel left in the missile that might explode.<ref>{{cite news| title=Russia 'Drains Out' NASAMS, Hawk, IRIS-T Missile Defense Systems; Ukraine Urges US For Patriot Batteries| author=Sakshi Tiwari| newspaper=EurAsian Times| date=2 December 2022| url=https://eurasiantimes.com/ukraine-war-russia-drains-out-nasams-hawk-iris-t-missile/| access-date=3 December 2022| archive-date=3 December 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203031912/https://eurasiantimes.com/ukraine-war-russia-drains-out-nasams-hawk-iris-t-missile/| url-status=live}}</ref>

Ukrainian Kh-55 nuclear missiles that had been transferred to Russia as part of a weapons-for-gas trade in 1999 were found to have been fired at Ukraine after Russian forces replaced their warheads with ballast, as dummy missiles used to overwhelm Ukrainian air defences.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Santora |first=Marc |date=2022-12-12 |title=Russia Is Using Old Ukrainian Missiles Against Ukraine, General Says |language=en |work=New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/12/world/europe/russia-ukraine-missiles.html |access-date=2023-08-08}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-12-01 |title=Ukraine says Russia 'distracting' air defences with dud nuclear-capable missiles |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-says-russia-distracting-air-defences-with-dud-nuclear-capable-missiles-2022-12-01/ |access-date=2023-08-08}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mirovalev |first=Mansur |date=2023-01-11 |title=Russia is using old Ukrainian weapons for its devastating war |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/1/11/kyiv-once-sent-weapons-to-moscow-now-its-used-on-the-frontline |access-date=2023-08-08 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name="JREV">{{Cite web |date=2023-08-03 |title=Journalists receive evidence that Russia is bombarding Ukraine with missiles that Kyiv handed over to Moscow in 1990s |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2023/08/3/7414126/ |access-date=2023-08-08 |website=Ukrainska Pravda |language=en}}</ref>

At least several civilians are known to have suffered as the result of such attacks. One Kh-55 hit an apartment building in the capital of Ukraine at the end of 2022, killing a woman. Another hit a house in Kyiv Oblast, injuring a child.<ref name="JREV" />

A Kh-55 missile with a ballast warhead, launched over [[Belarus]] on 16 December 2022, diverted course and fell in Poland, in a forest in [[Zamość, Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship]] 15&nbsp;km west of [[Bydgoszcz]] after having crossed around 500&nbsp;km of Polish territory.<ref name=maj/><ref>{{Cite web |title=NEWS RMF FM: Biegli wstępnie potwierdzili, że pod Bydgoszczą spadła rosyjska rakieta Ch-55 |url=https://www.rmf24.pl/raporty/raport-wojna-z-rosja/news-news-rmf-fm-biegli-wstepnie-potwierdzili-ze-pod-bydgoszcza-s,nId,6767139 |access-date=2023-05-10 |website=www.rmf24.pl |language=pl}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-12-29 |title=Poland says Russian missile entered airspace then went into Ukraine |language=en-GB |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-67839340 |access-date=2024-01-01}}</ref> According to Polish PM [[Mateusz Morawiecki]], it was detected by Polish and allied radars, however the missile was accidentally found only on 22 April 2023 and the incident was revealed a couple of days later.<ref name=maj/> It is not clear, if its fall in Poland, near aviation repair works in Bydgoszcz, engaged in military aid for Ukraine, was caused by a technical failure of an old missile, or was a provocation.<ref name=maj>{{cite web |url=https://bydgoszcz.wyborcza.pl/bydgoszcz/7,48722,29724287,majowka-nie-przykryla-rosyjskiej-rakiety-ktora-wleciala-do.html |title=Majówka nie przykryła rosyjskiej rakiety, która wleciała do Polski. Ch-55 spadła pod Bydgoszczą? |trans-title=May holidays did not cover Russian rocket, which flew into Poland. Did Kh-55 fell by Bydgoszcz?| author=Jacek Glugla |author2=Maciej Kulesza |author3=Małgorzata Czajkowska |date=4 May 2023 |website=wyborcza.pl |language=pl |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230518140637/https://bydgoszcz.wyborcza.pl/bydgoszcz/7,48722,29724287,majowka-nie-przykryla-rosyjskiej-rakiety-ktora-wleciala-do.html |archive-date=2023-05-18 |url-status=deviated}}<br/>{{cite web |language=pl |url=https://bydgoszcz.wyborcza.pl/bydgoszcz/7,48722,29724287,majowka-nie-przykryla-rosyjskiej-rakiety-ktora-wleciala-do.html |title=Rosyjska rakiety wleciała do Polski. Ch-55 spadła pod Bydgoszczą. Co o tym wiadomo |trans-title=A Russian missile flew into Poland. Ch-55 fell near Bydgoszcz. What is known about it? |author=Jacek Glugla |author2=Maciej Kulesza |author3=Małgorzata Czajkowska |date=2023-12-05 |website=wyborcza.pl |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240113150749/https://bydgoszcz.wyborcza.pl/bydgoszcz/7,48722,29724287,majowka-nie-przykryla-rosyjskiej-rakiety-ktora-wleciala-do.html |archive-date=2024-01-13 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Variants==
* '''Kh-55''' (NATO '''"Kent-A"''', RKV-500A, ''Izdeliye'' 120) - original model with 2,500&nbsp;km range. 
* '''Kh-55-OK''' - with optical guidance.
* '''Kh-55SM''' (NATO '''"Kent-B"''', RKV-500B, ''Izdeliye'' 121) - with extra fuel tanks to extend range to 3000&nbsp;km. 
* '''Kh-65SE''' - tactical version announced in 1992 with 410&nbsp;kg conventional warhead and restricted to the 600&nbsp;km range<ref name="Janes" />  limit (expired on 2.8.2019) of the INF treaty.
* '''Kh-55/65SD''' (средней дальности ''Srednei Dalnosti'' - "Medium Range") - 300&nbsp;km range conventional version announced in 1995, possibly for export. Shared components with the Kh-101, range reportedly increased to 600&nbsp;km with a high-altitude approach, but the Kh-SD was apparently shelved in 2001.<ref name="JSWS">{{citation|url=http://www.janes.com/extracts/extract/jsws/jswsa036.html |title=Kh-65SE/Kh-SD |journal=Jane's Strategic Weapon Systems |date=2008-09-09 |access-date=2009-02-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090604084914/http://www.janes.com/extracts/extract/jsws/jswsa036.html |archive-date=June 4, 2009 }}</ref> An alternative active radar seeker was proposed for anti-shipping use.
* '''Kh-555''' (NATO '''AS-22 "Kluge"''')<ref name="butowski twz">{{Cite web |url=https://www.twz.com/russias-secretive-long-range-bomber-operations-against-ukraine |title=Russia's Secretive Long-Range Bomber Operations Against Ukraine |date=2022-09-14 |website=The War Zone |last=Butowski |first=Piotr}}</ref> - conventionally armed version with an improved guidance system and warhead. It became operational in 2000.<ref name="55SE" /> Entered service in 2004.<ref name=newsru>{{cite web|date=26 May 2005 |url=http://www.newsru.com/russia/26may2005/x555.html|title=В России прошли испытания высокоточной ракеты Х-555, которая "попадает прямо в окно"|website=NEWSru.com|access-date=1 November 2017|archive-date=7 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107022931/http://www.newsru.com/russia/26may2005/x555.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* '''Kh-BD''' conventional and nuclear armed version with said range up to 3000&nbsp;km or greater, near or more than 5000&nbsp;km range.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://militaryrussia.ru/blog/index-1134.html|title=Перспективная дальняя крылатая ракета Х-БД (проект)|website=Military Russia|access-date=2020-01-12|archive-date=5 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105233638/http://militaryrussia.ru/blog/index-1134.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The missile entered service in September 2023 on Tu-160 (12 missiles each). Its range was reported to be over 6,500&nbsp;km.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://armstrade.org/includes/periodics/news/2023/0918/084575305/detail.shtml | title=ЦАМТО / / Минобороны: ракетоносцы Ту-160 получили на вооружение новые крылатые ракеты Х-БД }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://frontierindia.com/briefs/russian-military-flexes-muscles-with-tu-160-bombers-armed-with-6500km-range-missiles/?expand_article=1 | title=Russian Military Flexes Muscles with Tu-160 Bombers armed with 6,500km Range Missiles | date=16 September 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.eurasiantimes.com/edited-nc-checked-russia-arms-worlds-fastest-tu-160-bomber/ | title=Russia Arms 'World's Fastest' Tu-160 Bomber with New 6500-Km Range Missile, Enthralls Kim Jong-un | date=18 September 2023 }}</ref>
* '''Kh-50''' or '''Kh-SD''' new stealthy short to medium (300 to 1500–1900&nbsp;km) ranges and conventional (or also nuclear) variant (somewhat analogue of [[AGM-158 JASSM]]). Length: 6m, uses inertial/[[GLONASS]]/[[DSMAC]] guidance.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://militaryrussia.ru/blog/index-1145.html|title=Х-50 / изделие 715 / 9-А-5015|website=Military Russia|access-date=2020-01-12 |archive-date=5 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105233651/http://militaryrussia.ru/blog/index-1145.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.janes.com/article/76602/russian-bombers-to-be-armed-with-new-kh-50-theatre-level-cruise-missile|title=Janes {{pipe}} Latest defence and security news|access-date=18 November 2018|archive-date=18 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118164908/https://www.janes.com/article/76602/russian-bombers-to-be-armed-with-new-kh-50-theatre-level-cruise-missile|url-status=live}}</ref>
* '''[[Soumar (missile)|Soumar]]''' - Likely Kh-55-derived missile produced by Iran.

It was believed originally that the [[RK-55]] (SSC-X-4 "Slingshot" and SS-N-21 "Sampson") were land- and submarine-launched derivatives of the Kh-55, but it is now known that the Kh-55 is different from the other two as its motor drops down below the missile during flight.<ref name="Janes" />

== Operators ==
===Current operators===
* {{IRN}}: acquired 12 from Ukraine.<ref name="FT" /><ref name="debka.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.debka.com/article/8776/|title=DEBKAfile, Political Analysis, Espionage, Terrorism, Security|website=Debka.com|access-date=23 December 2014|archive-date=28 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228054717/http://www.debka.com/article/8776/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-overlooked-iranian-missile-threat-1456095967|title=The Overlooked Iranian Missile Threat|last1=Ruhe|first1=Jonathan|date=2016-02-21|last2=Fleisher|first2=Blake|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|issn=0099-9660 |access-date=2016-08-06|archive-date=17 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170217105949/https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-overlooked-iranian-missile-threat-1456095967|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{PRC}}: acquired 6 from Ukraine.<ref name="FT" />
* {{RUS}}: the [[Russian Air Force]] uses the Kh-55SM and Kh-555.

===Former operators===
* {{USSR}}: the [[Soviet Air Force]] deployed the Kh-55 as its original operator, passed to successor states after the [[dissolution of the Soviet Union]].
* {{BLR}}
* {{UKR}}: ~487 scrapped, ~587 transferred to Russia<ref name="FT" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newsland.ru/news/detail/id/852926/ |title=Как Украина ядерные боеголовки считала|website=Newsland.ru|access-date=23 December 2014}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[3M-54 Kalibr]] – developed from the Kh-55
* [[RK-55]] – so similar to the Kh-55 it was long believed in the West to be merely a sub-/surface-launched version 
* [[AGM-86 Air-Launched Cruise Missile]] – 1430&nbsp;kg missile with 2400+ km range, Mach 0.73
* [[AGM-129 ACM]] (Advanced Cruise Missile – stealthy 1330&nbsp;kg missile with 3700&nbsp;km range) (decommissioned)
* [[Hatf-VIII (Ra'ad)|Ra'ad ALCM]] - Comparable Pakistani missile of similar operational history
* [[BGM-109 Tomahawk]] – surface/sub- launched, but otherwise similar to the Kh-55
* [[Nirbhay]] (India) – Nirbhay is an all-weather low-cost medium-range cruise missile 
* [[CJ-10 cruise missile|CJ-10]] – Chinese land-attack cruise missile, believed to have incorporated elements from the Kh-55
* [[Soumar (missile)|Soumar]] – Iranian land-attack cruise missile
** [[Meshkat (missile)|Meshkat]]
** [[Hoveyzeh (cruise missile)|Hoveyzeh]]
**[[Paveh cruise missile|paveh]]
* [[Babur missile]]  Pakistani missile

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
* {{cite book|last=Gordon|first=Yefim|title=Soviet/Russian Aircraft Weapons Since World War Two|year=2004|location=Hinckley, England|publisher=Midland Publishing|isbn=1-85780-188-1}}
*{{cite magazine|last=Healey|first=John K.|title=Retired Warriors: "Cold War" Bomber Legacy |magazine=[[Air Enthusiast]] |date=January–February 2004|issue=109 |pages=75–79 |issn=0143-5450}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Raduga Kh-55}}
*[http://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/kh-55/ CSIS Missile Threat - KH-55]
*[http://worldweapon.ru/sam/x55.php worldweapon.ru] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100328115614/http://worldweapon.ru/sam/x55.php |date=28 March 2010 }} {{in lang|ru}} - has good pics at the bottom
*[http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/russia/bomber/as-15.htm fas.org] - AS-15 KENT
* {{citation|url=http://www.strategycenter.net/research/pubID.112/pub_detail.asp |title=Bypassing the NMD: China and the Cruise Missile Proliferation Problem |first=Carlo |last=Kopp |date=2006-06-22 |publisher=International Assessment and Strategy Center |location=Alexandria, United States |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060714202014/http://www.strategycenter.net/research/pubID.112/pub_detail.asp |archive-date=2006-07-14|ref=none }} - Excellent review of the routes by which Kh-55 technology has proliferated.

{{Russian and Soviet military designation sequences}}
{{Russian and Soviet missiles|ASM}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kh-055}}
[[Category:Cruise missiles]]
[[Category:Nuclear cruise missiles of the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Cruise missiles of the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:MKB Raduga products]]
[[Category:Nuclear air-to-surface missiles]]
[[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1980s]]
[[Category:Cruise missiles of the Cold War]]
[[Category:Air-launched cruise missiles]]