KSR-5
| KSR-5 | |
|---|---|
 Tu-16 with KSR-5 under wing | |
| Type | Air-to-surface missile |
| Place of origin | Soviet Union |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1973−1997 |
| Used by | See operators |
| Production history | |
| Variants | See variants |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 5,950 kg (13,120 lb) |
| Length | 10.9 m (36 ft) |
| Diameter | 920 mm (36 in) |
| Wingspan | 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) |
| Maximum firing range | 400 km (250 mi) |
| Warhead | High-explosive, nuclear |
| Warhead weight | 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) (HE) |
| Blast yield | 350 kT (Nuclear) |
| Propellant | Solid |
| Maximum speed | Mach 3[1] |
Guidance system | Inertial with active or passive radar |
Launch platform | Tu-16, Tu-22, Tu-22M |
| References | [2] |
The Raduga Kh-26 KSR-5 (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', built to be carried by the less capable Tu-16.
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 KSR-11 and Kh-26) is an improved version of the Kh-22 missile, designed to be smaller, lighter and with a smaller radar signature.[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 Tu-22 bombers, it was also mounted on Tu-16 bombers.[3]
According to Lennox, the missile had a maximum range of 400 km (250 mi) when released from high altitude and 100 km (62 mi) from low altitude.[2]
Variants
According to Lennox, the Soviet Union used three different variants of the missile: the nuclear variant of the KSR-5 has only an inertial guidance system with a 350 kiloton warhead; the anti-ship version had an active radar terminal seeker and could carry either a nuclear warhead or a conventional 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) HE warhead; the third version had a passive radar seeker and a HE warhead for use against ships or land-based radars.[2]
- KSR-5NM and KSR-5MV − Russian air-launched target designed by MKB Raduga. It was offered for export in 1993.[2]
Operational history
The Raduga KSR-5 was deployed aboard such Soviet aircraft as the Tupolev Tu-16 "Badger", Tu-22 "Blinder", and the Tu-22M "Backfire" as well.[2][3] 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 Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine until the late 1990s.[2] With the retirement of the Tu-16 bombers, the nuclear versions of the KSR-2 and KSR-5 missiles were retired by 1993.[4] In 1991, it was estimated Russia had about 100 missiles in its inventory, but most were converted into supersonic targets.[2]
Operators
Belarus[2]
Russia − Most were converted for missile target practice[2]
Soviet Union − Passed on to successor states[2]
Ukraine[2]
References
Bibliography
- Bukharin, Oleg; Kadyshev, Timur; Miasnikov, Eugene; Podig, Pavel; Sutyagin, Igor; Tarasenko, Maxim; Zhelezov, Boris (2004). Russian Strategic Nuclear Forces. London: MIT Press. ISBN 978-0-262-66181-2.
- Moore, Mike, ed. (July–August 1993). "Nuclear Notebook". Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. 49 (6). Chicago, IL: Educational Foundation for Nuclear Science: 56–57. ISSN 0096-3402. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
- Taylor, John W. R. (June 1991). "Gallery of Soviet Missiles". Air Force Magazine. 74 (6). Arlington, VA: Air Force Association.: 70–74. ISSN 0730-6784. Retrieved 8 December 2024.