Kh-555 Air-launched cruise missile

[Zarvan]

The Kh-555 long-range cruise missile is carried by Russian strategic bombers



Country of origin Russia
Entered service 2004
Missile length 6.04 m
Missile diameter 0.51 m
Wing span 3.01 m
Missile launch weight 1 280 kg
Warhead weight 400 kg
Warhead type Conventional
Range of fire 3 500 km
CEP 20 m


The Kh-555 is a Russian air-launched cruise missile. Its Western reporting name is AS-15 Kent-C. Russians were looking for a long-range missile with conventional warhead, that would be carried by their strategic bombers. The Kh-555 was developed from the Kh-55SM. The major difference is that the Kh-555 carries a conventional warhead instead of nuclear and has increased range. Also this missile has improved guidance systems and is more accurate. This air-launched cruise missile was tested in 1999 and was eventually approved for production. It was adopted by the Russian Air Force in 2004.

The Kh-555 is used as a long-range standoff weapon. It is carried and launched by bomber aircraft. This missile is carried by a Tu-160 long-range strategic bomber (12 missiles), Tu-95strategic bomber (6 or 16 missiles, depending on the version), and even Su-34 interdictor (1 missile).

The Kh-555 has similar dimensions to the Kh-55SM with a drop-down turbojet engine. During flight the engine drops below the missile. Also there are pop-out wings for cruising efficiency. This missile has reduced radar cross-section and is more stealthier than the Kh-55SM. However it is by no means a stealthy missile. The Kh-55 can be launched at altitudes ranging from 60 to 10 000 meters.

The Kh-555 missile has a 400 kg conventional warhead. Some types of warheads are available, including high explosive, penetration high explosive, or submunitions warhead.

This missile has larger conformal fuel tanks than the Kh-55SM due to increased weight of the warhead. This missile has a range of up to 3 500 km.

This missile has improved guidance system. Also the Kh-555 has a GPS navigation capability. Due to improved guidance systems the missile has increased accuracy. Some sources report that this missile has a CEP of 20 meters.

http://www.military-today.com/missiles/kh_555.htm