The Kh-38/Kh-38M (Russian: Х-38) is a family of air-to-surface missiles meant to succeed the Kh-25 and Kh-29 missile families. By now, Kh-38 has been developed into a diverse family of guided missiles and glide-bombs.
Kh-38 | |
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![]() Kh-38ME | |
Type | Tactical air-to-surface missile |
Place of origin | Russia |
Service history | |
In service | 2012 (Kh-38ME) - 2019 (Kh-36) |
Used by | Russia |
Wars | |
Production history | |
Designer | Tactical Missiles Corporation JSC |
Designed | 2007 (Kh-38ME) - 2015 (Kh-36) |
Manufacturer | Tactical Missiles Corporation JSC |
Produced | 2015 (Kh-38M) - 2019 (Kh-36) |
Specifications | |
Mass | 520 kg (1,150 lb) |
Length | 4.2 m (13 ft 9 in)[3] |
Diameter | 0.31 m (12.2 in)[3] |
Wingspan | 1.14 m (44.9 in) |
Warhead | HE fragmentation, cluster warhead, armor-piercing |
Warhead weight | up to 250 kg (551 lb)[3] |
Detonation mechanism | Contact fuse |
Engine | Two-stage solid rocket motor[3] |
Operational range | up to 70km (Kh-38ML),[4] up to 120km (Kh-36 Grom-E1)[5] |
Flight altitude | 200-12000 m |
Maximum speed | Mach 2.2[3] |
Guidance system | Laser, active radar, IR, satellite, depending on variant |
Launch platform | Kh-38: Su-34, Su-57, Ka-52K Kh-36: Su-57, MiG-35 |
Design and development
editThe basic configuration of the Kh-38M was revealed at the 2007 Moscow Air Show (MAKS). The first prototypes of the missile had initially folding wings and tail fins for internal carriage, and would have a variety of seeker heads for different variants.[6] Different warheads (fragmentation, cluster munitions, penetrating) can also be fitted. The Kh-38M is meant to succeed the Kh-25 and Kh-29 missile families. It can be used by combat aircraft such as the Sukhoi Su-34 and Sukhoi Su-57, and it is planned to be integrated on the Kamov Ka-52K helicopter. The first test firing took place in 2010 from a Su-34, and production was ordered to start in 2015.[3]
In a successive version, unveiled at MAKS 2017, both control surfaces were replaced by longer and narrower fixed ones, a solution similar to the one used in the Selenia Aspide missile.[7][needs update]
Operational history
editThe Kh-38M was first used in combat during the Russian military intervention in the Syrian civil war.[3] It was also used during the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.[8]
Variants
edit- Kh-38MA - inertial, active radar homing[3]
- Kh-38MK - inertial, satellite guidance[3]
- Kh-38ML - inertial, semi-active laser guidance[3]
- Kh-38MT - inertial, imaging infrared guidance[3]
- Kh-36 Grom-E1 - AS-23 tactical cruise missile derivative/AGM with 120 km range[5]
- Kh-36 Grom-E2 - AS-23B/KAB-type guided glide bomb with 50 km range.[9]
Both versions of the Grom are of 600 kg weight, with various guidance mechanisms, and both are created on the basis of the Kh-38M short-range tactical missile and also have modular structures, warheads and seekers. This weapon was first seen at MAKS 2015, and intended to equip all types of fighters, including the MiG-35 and Su-57.[10]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Russia to test new missiles in Syria later this year". 14 September 2016.
- ^ "Russian MiG-29Ks will employ Kh-38 in Syria – Alert 5".
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "[Actu] La bombe guidée 9A-7759 Grom". Red Samovar. 26 June 2018.
- ^ https://x.com/GuyPlopsky/status/1795718984215777551 [bare URL]
- ^ a b "Airborne guided missile "GROM-E1"". Archived from the original on 26 July 2022.
- ^ Barrie, Douglas and Komarov, Alexey. "War on Two Fronts for Russia's Missile Builders ". Aviation Week, 10 September 2007. Retrieved: 25 May 2014.
- ^ "MAKS: Tactical Missiles Corporation shows Kh-38 changes - Russian aviation news". 20 July 2017.
- ^ Newdick, Thomas (14 May 2024). "Our Best Look At Russia's Kh-38 Missile Now Being Used In Ukraine". The War Zone. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
- ^ "Airborne guided gliding bomb "GROM-E2"". 20 July 2021. Archived from the original on 20 July 2021.
- ^ "Производитель раскрыл характеристики новейших авиационных средств поражения "Гром"".
External links
edit- Manufacturer information of the Kh-38
- KTRV finalises development of Grom air-to-surface munition variants