Overview of the Kh-69 Air-Launched Cruise Missile
The Kh-69 air-launched cruise missile (ALCM), developed by the JSC Raduga State Design Bureau, a subsidiary of the Tactical Missiles Corporation (KTRV), is making its international debut with an upgraded camouflage paint scheme at the Dubai Airshow 2023.
New Camouflage Design
- The missile is now adorned with a pixelated camouflage pattern, featuring a gray-green upper body and wing panels, while the underside remains a standard gray.
- This design modification aims to enhance the missile’s concealment against various ground environments.
Capabilities and Operational Use
The Kh-69 ALCM is engineered to strike a diverse array of stationary targets, including those that lack radar, infrared, or optical identifiers compared to their surroundings. Key features include:
- Flight Range: The missile has a maximum operational range of 290 kilometers.
- Altitude and Speed: It can operate at altitudes between 50 to 300 meters and reaches speeds of 750-1,000 km/h. Launch altitude can vary from 0.2 to 11 kilometers, with the carrier aircraft achieving speeds between Mach 0.5 and 0.9.
- Targeting Flexibility: The missile can execute one or more pre-programmed flight profiles, allowing for real-time target assignment just prior to launch.
Precision and Navigation
- Circular Error Probable (CEP): The Kh-69 boasts a CEP of 5-7 meters, enhancing its precision and effectiveness against designated targets.
- Navigation System: It is equipped with a strapdown inertial navigation system (SINS), integrated with satellite navigation, a radio altimeter, and an electro-optical terminal guidance system (OE-M).
Warhead Options and Specifications
The Kh-69 can be outfitted with either:
- A 310 kg penetrating warhead, or
- A 300 kg cluster warhead.
Technical Specifications:
- Weight: The launch weight is 770 kg.
- Dimensions: The missile measures 4.19 meters in length, with a wingspan of 2.45 meters and a folded width of 0.4 meters.
- Carriage Capability: Its square cross-section allows multiple Kh-69 missiles to be carried in the Su-57 fifth-generation fighter’s internal weapon bays. Notably, the Su-57 can house four Kh-69 missiles.
Display at Dubai Airshow
During its presentation at the Dubai Airshow, a Su-57 fighter jet showcased its weaponry by opening its forward bay. Although primarily displaying two Kh-58 UShKE anti-radar missiles, it is noteworthy that these could easily be replaced with Kh-69 missiles depending on mission requirements.
In summary, the Kh-69 ALCM represents a significant advancement in precision strike capabilities for aerial platforms. Its deployment in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict underscores its operational relevance and the evolving landscape of modern military engagements.
