Kh-29

The Kh-29 (Х-29; NATO: AS-14 'Kedge'; GRAU: 9M721) is a Soviet air-to-surface missile with a range of 10–30 km. It has a large warhead of 320 kg, has a choice of laser, infrared, active radar or TV guidance, and is typically carried by tactical aircraft such as the Su-24, Su-30, MiG-29K as well as the "T/TM" models of the Su-25, giving that craft an expanded standoff capability.

It is comparable to the United States' AGM-65 Maverick missile but with a much heavier warhead. The Kh-29 is intended for primary use against larger battlefield targets and infrastructure such as industrial buildings, depots and bridges, but can also be used against ships up to 10,000 tonnes, hardened aircraft shelters and concrete runways.

Development
Design started in the late 1970s at the Molniya design bureau in Ukraine on what would be their only air-to-ground munition, but when they moved exclusively to space work Vympel took over development of the Kh-29. The first firing of the missile took place in 1976 and after extensive trials the Kh-29 was accepted into service in 1980.

Design
The basic aerodynamic layout of the Kh-29 is similar to the Molniya R-60 (AA-8 'Aphid'), reflecting Molniya's heritage in air-to-air missiles. The laser guidance head came from the Kh-25 (AS-10 'Karen') and the TV guidance from the Kh-59 (AS-13 'Kingbolt'), mated to a large warhead.

Operational history
The Kh-29 entered service with the Russian air force in 1980, and has been widely exported since.

Variants

 * Kh-29L (Izdeliye 63, 'Kedge-A') uses semi-active laser guidance and has a range of 8–10 km.
 * Kh-29ML is an upgraded version of the Kh-29L.
 * Kh-29T (Izdeliye 64, 'Kedge-B') is the TV-guided version which is fitted with automatic optical homing to a distinguishable object indicated by the pilot in the cockpit.
 * Kh-29TE is a long-range (30 km) development of the Kh-29T. Minimum range is 3 km; launch altitude is 200-10,000 m.
 * Kh-29MP is a third generation guidance variant with active radar homing, makes it a fire-and-forget weapon. It has a large 250 kg warhead with 12 km range.
 * Kh-29D is a fourth guidance variant (fire-and-forget) of the Kh-29TE, using imaging infrared.

Current Operators

 * : Algerian Air Force
 * 🇧🇾: Belarusian Air Force- on its modernized MiG-29BMs.
 * 🇧🇬: Bulgarian Air Force- on its Su-22M4s, which were withdrawn from service in 2004 and now used only for reconnaissance. Currently used on Su-25.
 * : Georgian Air Force- on its SU-25KM Scorpion
 * 🇮🇳: Indian Air Force- on its on new Su-30MKIs and Indian Navy- on its on new MiG-29Ks.
 * : Indonesian Air Force on its Su-30MK2


 * :  Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force on its Su-24 Fencer


 * 🇲🇾: Malaysia Air Force on its Su-30MKM


 * : People's Liberation Army Air Force- received 2000 Kh-29T's in 2002 for use on their Su-27SK's, Su-27UBK's, Su-30MKK's, Shenyang J-11's and possibly their JH-7's ('Flounder') and Q-5's ('Fantan').
 * 🇵🇱: Polish Air Force- on its on Su-22M4s.
 * 🇷🇺: Russian Air Force
 * 🇸🇾: Syrian Air Force
 * 🇺🇦: Ukrainian Air Force.
 * 🇵🇪: Peruvian Air Force  on its Su-25
 * 🇻🇪: Venezuelan Air Force on its Su-30
 * : Vietnam People's Air Force on its Su-30MK2V

Former Operators

 * : Czechoslovak Air Force- passed onto successor states.
 * : East German Air Force.
 * 🇭🇺: Hungarian Air Force - on Su-22M3s
 * 🇮🇶: Iraqi Air Force- all retired
 * 🇸🇰: Slovak Air Force- Su-22M4s.
 * : Soviet Air Force- passed onto successor states