KSR-5

Last updated
KSR-5
Raduga KSR-5 VVS museum.jpg
Tu-16 with KSR-5 under wing
Type Air-to-surface missile
Place of originSoviet Union
Service history
In service1969−1994
Used bySee operators
Production history
Designer Tupolev and Mikoyan Missile Design Bureau
No. built300 [1]
VariantsSee variants
Specifications
Mass4,500 kg (9,900 lb)
Length10.56 m (34.6 ft)
Diameter920 mm (36 in)
Wingspan2.5 m (8 ft 2 in)
Maximum firing range400 km (250 mi)
Warhead High-explosive, HE semi-armour-piercing, nuclear
Warhead weight930–1,000 kg (2,050–2,200 lb)
Blast yield350 kT (Nuclear)
PropellantSolid
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]
Tu-16K with a missile under each wing Tu-16K.jpg
Tu-16K with a missile under each wing
Tu-16 'Badger-G' with KSR-5 under port wing Tu-16 Badger G.jpg
Tu-16 'Badger-G' with KSR-5 under port wing

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', primarily carried by the Tupolev Tu-16 bomber.

Contents

Background

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

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

Operational history

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

References

  1. 1 2 Taylor 1991, p. 71.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Lennox 2003, p. 191.
  3. 1 2 Bukharin et al. 2004, p. 345.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Lennox, Duncan, ed. (1997). "AS-6 'Kingfish' (KSR-5/11 and Kh-26)". Jane's Air-Launched Weapons (35th ed.). Surrey: Jane's Information Group.
  5. ↑ Moore 1993, p. 57.

Bibliography

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