KSR-5
| KSR-5 | |
|---|---|
 Tu-16 with KSR-5 under wing | |
| Type | Air-to-surface missile |
| Place of origin | Soviet Union |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1969−1994 |
| Used by | See operators |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Tupolev and Mikoyan Missile Design Bureau |
| No. built | 300[1] |
| Variants | See variants |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 4,500 kg (9,900 lb) |
| Length | 10.56 m (34.6 ft) |
| Diameter | 920 mm (36 in) |
| Wingspan | 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) |
| Maximum firing range | 400 km (250 mi) |
| Warhead | High-explosive, HE semi-armour-piercing, nuclear |
| Warhead weight | 930–1,000 kg (2,050–2,200 lb) |
| Blast yield | 350 kT (Nuclear) |
| Propellant | Solid |
| Maximum speed | Mach 2 or Mach 3 |
Guidance system | Inertial with active or passive radar |
Launch platform | Tu-16, Tu-22M, Tu-95M |
| References | [2] |
The KSR-5, also designated as the Kh-26 (NATO reporting name AS-6 Kingfish) was a long-range, air-launched cruise missile and anti-ship missile developed by the Soviet Union. It was essentially a scaled down version of the Kh-22 'Kitchen', built to be carried by the less capable Tu-16.
Background
[edit]In the early 1960s the development of new nuclear-capable strategic bombers came into a virtual halt in the Soviet Union, with the focus being shifted on nuclear ballistic missiles and developing cruise missiles for existing aircraft.[3]
Description
[edit]Developed in the late 1960s, the KRS-5 (also designated as the Kh-26) is an improved version of the Kh-22 missile, designed to be smaller, lighter and with a smaller radar signature. According to Janes, it was designed jointly by the Tupolev and Mikoyan Design Bureaus.[2] It was developed as a conventional anti-ship missile and a nuclear cruise missile capable of striking ground targets. Originally designed to be carried on the Tu-22 "Blinder", it was primarily mounted on the Tu-16 "Badger",[3] the Tu-22M "Backfire" and Tu-95M "Bear" aircraft as well.[2]
The missile had a maximum range of 400 km (250 mi) and cruise speed of Mach 3 when released from high altitude and 250 km (160 mi) range and cruise speed of Mach 2 when launched at low altitude.[2]
Variants
[edit]- Kh-26 − Nuclear variant with inertial guidance. Armed with a 350 kiloton warhead weighing about 1,000 kg (2,200 lb).[2]
- Kh-26N − Active radar homing anti-ship variant, it could carry either a nuclear warhead or a conventional 930 kg (2,050 lb) HE SAP warhead. The seeker had a lock-on range of 25–30 km (16–19 mi).[2]
- Kh-26MP − Anti-radiation variant with a passive radar seeker and a HE blast/fragmentation warhead for use against land-based or ship-mounted radars.[2]
- KSR-5NM and KSR-5MV − Russian air-launched target designed by MKB Raduga. It was offered for export in 1993.[4]
Operational history
[edit]The KSR-5 entered service in 1969, with later versions designed to be carried in the Tu-95 and Tu-95M being introduced in 1973 and 1976 respectively.[2] In June 1991, it was estimated that the Soviet Union had 300 missiles carried on Badger-G bombers.[1]
Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the remaining missiles were used by Russia and possibly Ukraine until 1994.[2] With the retirement of the Tu-16, the nuclear versions of the KSR-2 and KSR-5 missiles were retired by 1993.[5] In 1991, it was estimated Russia had about 100 missiles in its inventory, but most were converted into supersonic targets.[4]
Operators
[edit]
Belarus[4]
Russia − Most were converted for missile target practice[4]
Soviet Union − Passed on to successor states[4]
Ukraine[4]
References
[edit]Bibliography
[edit]- Bukharin, Oleg; Kadyshev, Timur; Miasnikov, Eugene; Podig, Pavel; Sutyagin, Igor; Tarasenko, Maxim; Zhelezov, Boris (2004). Russian Strategic Nuclear Forces. London: MIT Press. ISBN 978-0-262-66181-2.
- Lennox, Duncan, ed. (2003). Jane's Strategic Weapons Systems (38th ed.). Surrey: Jane's Information Group. ISBN 978-0-7106-0880-2.
- Moore, Mike, ed. (July–August 1993). "Nuclear Notebook". Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. 49 (6). Chicago, IL: Educational Foundation for Nuclear Science: 56–57. ISSN 0096-3402. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
- Taylor, John W. R. (June 1991). "Gallery of Soviet Missiles". Air Force Magazine. 74 (6). Arlington, VA: Air Force Association.: 70–74. ISSN 0730-6784. Retrieved 8 December 2024.