The Kh-69 (Cyrillic: Х-69) is a Russian subsonic air-launched cruise missile.[3] It was developed from the Kh-59 missile, and has a range of at least 400 km (250 mi). It has a reduced radar signature compared to its forerunners.[1]

Kh-69
A mock-up Kh-69 at Army 2022.
TypeAir-launched cruise missile
Place of originRussia
Service history
In service2023–current
Used byRussia
WarsRusso-Ukrainian War
Production history
DesignerMKB Raduga
ManufacturerTactical Missiles Corporation
Specifications
Massunder 800kg[1]
Warhead weightapprox 300kg

Operational
range
400km reported[1]
Maximum speed up to 1000km/h[1]
Guidance
system
Satellite plus inertial[1]
Launch
platform
Su-30MK, Su-34, Su-35, Su-57, MiG-29K, MiG-35[2]

History

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The Kh-69 is a product of the Tactical Missile Corporation subsidiary MKB Raduga.[2] It was first unveiled in August 2022.[4][5]

In September 2023, the International Institute for Strategic Studies reported that the Kh-69 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 the Trypilska thermal power plant, which was completely disabled as a result of the attack.[6][5] The attack "destroyed the transformer, turbines and generators" of the power plant.[3] 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."[1]

Technical characteristics

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The Kh-69 can be carried inside the Sukhoi Su-57's internal weapons bays. It can also be used by the Su-30MK, Su-34, Su-35, MiG-29K and MiG-35.[2]

The missile is similar in nature to the Storm Shadow and Taurus KEPD 350 missiles.[1] It has one pair of wings and four fins at the rear, that all deploy in flight after launch.[5]

The missile is reported to weigh under 800kg and is reported to cruise at speeds of up to 1000km/h.[1] It can use either a cluster or a penetration warhead, weighing around 300 kilograms.[2]

The Kh-69 uses GPS and GLONASS for guidance,[7] 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.[9]

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Russia's firing new, long-range Kh-69 cruise missiles, war experts say, piling on the misery for Ukraine's dwindling air defense".
  2. ^ a b c d Newdick, Thomas (2024-02-16). "Russia Now Using Kh-69 Cruise Missiles In Ukraine: Reports". The War Zone.
  3. ^ a b "What is Kh-69? Russia's new subsonic cruise missile "worse" than Dagger". 13 April 2024.
  4. ^ "Russia shows off new Kh-69 cruise missile". key.aero. 30 August 2022.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ "Russian Kh-69 Latest Cruise Missile Targets Trypilska Power Station". mil.in.ua. 11 April 2024.
  7. ^ "Su-57 gets Kh69 missile for hitting railway stations or hubs". 4 February 2023.
  8. ^ "'Kh-69 is worse than Kinzhal' says Ukraine on today's RuAF attack". 11 April 2024.
  9. ^ "Russia Unveils KH-69 Stealth Cruise Missile".