Kh-69 missile
| Kh-69 | |
|---|---|
 Front close-up of Kh-69 | |
| Type | Cruise missile Air-launched cruise missile Air-to-surface missile Land-attack missile |
| Place of origin | Russia |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2023–current |
| Used by | Russia |
| Wars | Russo-Ukrainian War |
| Production history | |
| Designer | MKB Raduga |
| Manufacturer | Tactical Missiles Corporation |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | under 800kg[1] |
| Warhead weight | approx 300kg |
Operational range | 400km reported[1] |
| Maximum speed | up to 1000km/h[1] |
Guidance system | Satellite plus inertial[1] |
Launch platform | Su-34, Su-35, MiG-31, Su-30MK |
The Russian Kh-69 missile (Cyrillic: Х-69) is a reportedly stealthy variant of the Kh-59MK2 missile with a range of 400 km (250 mi). It has a reduced radar signature compared to its forerunners.[1] It is known to be an air-to-surface subsonic cruise missile.[2]
History[edit]
The Kh-69 missile is a product of the Tactical Missile Corporation subsidiary MKB Raduga.[1][3][4] The missile was first unveiled in August 2022.[5][6]
In September 2023, the International Institute for Strategic Studies reported that the Kh-69 missile was still in the testing phase of development.[1]
Claims have been made that three Kh-69s were fired at Ukraine overnight on 7-8 February 2024.[1]
On 11 April 2024, Ukrainian sources claimed debris of a Kh-69 missile were found on the site of Russian missile attack against Trypilska thermal power plant (TTPP), which was completely disabled as a result of the attack.[7][6] The attack "destroyed the transformer, turbines and generators" of the TTPP.[2] The number of missiles used in the attack was six, and none were disabled by the Ukrainian air defences.[8] The Institute for the Study of War characterized the attack as part of "continued efforts to improve strike packages and penetrate Ukraine's degraded air defense." To avoid Ukrainian air defences, benefit is drawn from the 400km range of the Kh-69 missile,[1] which places all of Ukraine within range of the Russia-Belarus frontier, except Zakarpattia oblast.[8]
Technical characteristics[edit]
The launch platforms of choice are the MiG-31,[4] Su-30MK,[3] Su-34 or Su-35 aircraft.[1] It is expected to be the primary cruise missile for the Su-57, to be stored in its internal weapons bays.[8]
The missile is similar in nature to the Storm Shadow and Taurus KEPD 350 missiles.[9] It has one pair of wings and four fins at the rear, that all deploy in flight after launch.[6]
The missile is reported to weigh under 800kg and is reported to cruise at speeds of up to 1000km/h.[1] It has a warhead weight of approximately 300kg.[1]
The Kh-69 is navigated by GLONASS and GPS satellites,[3] with inertial backup. The missile is reportedly able to fly at an altitude as low as 20 meters above ground level,[8] which greatly contributes to its low radar observability. An electro-optical seeker was reported in 2022 to round out the sensor suite.[4]
Gallery[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Russia's firing new, long-range Kh-69 cruise missiles, war experts say, piling on the misery for Ukraine's dwindling air defense".
- ^ a b "What is Kh-69? Russia's new subsonic cruise missile "worse" than Dagger". 13 April 2024.
- ^ a b c "Su-57 gets Kh69 missile for hitting railway stations or hubs". 4 February 2023.
- ^ a b c "Russia Unveils KH-69 Stealth Cruise Missile".
- ^ "Russia shows off new Kh-69 cruise missile". key.aero. 30 August 2022.
- ^ a b c Kilner, James (13 April 2024). "Pictured: Russia's new ultra-low-flying missile that destroyed Kyiv power plant". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
- ^ "Russian Kh-69 Latest Cruise Missile Targets Trypilska Power Station". mil.in.ua. 11 April 2024.
- ^ a b c d "'Kh-69 is worse than Kinzhal' says Ukraine on today's RuAF attack". 11 April 2024.
- ^ "Russia's firing new, long-range Kh-69 cruise missiles, war experts say, piling on the misery for Ukraine's dwindling air defense".