The Raduga Kh-15 or RKV-15 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.
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.
In 1967, MKB Raduga started developing the Kh-2000 as a replacement for the Kh-22 AS-4 'Kitchen' heavy anti-shipping missile. Development of the Kh-15 started some time in the early 1970s. 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. 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.
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.
In 1967, MKB Raduga started developing the Kh-2000 as a replacement for the Kh-22 AS-4 'Kitchen' heavy anti-shipping missile. Development of the Kh-15 started some time in the early 1970s. 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. 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.
| Raduga Kh-15 (NATO reporting name: AS-16 'Kickback') | |
|---|---|
| Type | air-to-surface missile |
| Place of origin | Soviet Union |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Russia |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Raduga |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 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) |
| Speed | Up to Mach 5 |
| Guidance system | inertial, active radar, or anti-radiation |
| Launch platform | Tu-95MS-6, Tu-22M3, and Tu-160 |
