Kh-15



The Raduga Kh-15 or RKV-15 (Х-15; NATO:AS-16 'Kickback';GRAU:) 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.

Development
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.

Design
The Kh-15 climbs to an altitude of about 40000 m 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.

Operational history
It entered service in the early 1980s. It can be carried by the Tu-95MS-6 'Bear-H', Tu-22M3 'Backfire C', and Tu-160 'Blackjack'. The Tu-22M3 can carry six missiles on a MKU-6-1 rotary launcher in its bomb bay, plus four missiles on two underwing pylons for a total of ten missiles per aircraft. It is reported that the Tu-160 can carry two MKU-6-1's for a total of twelve missiles internally.

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

Operators

 * - Passed onto successor states
 * - Passed onto successor states

Similar weapons

 * Raduga 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 'Harpoonski', 250 km range
 * AGM-69 SRAM - 1000 kg US missile with up to 170 km range