Independent Working Group Report: Missile Defense, the Space Relationship, and the Twenty-First Century. »»
July 25, 2008
IWG Report 2007
Independent Working Group Report: Missile Defense, the Space Relationship, and the Twenty-First Century. »»
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AS-15B
| Country: | Russian Federation |
|---|---|
| Alternate Name: | Kent, Kh-55SM, RKV-500B |
| Class: | ALCM |
| Target: | Land |
| Length: | 7.10 m |
| Diameter: | 0.77 m |
| Launch Weight: | 1700.00 kg |
| Payload: | 200-250 kT nuclear |
| Propulsion: | Turbofan |
| Range: | 3000.00 km |
| Guidance: | INS, TERCOM |
| Status: | Operational |
| In Service: | 1987-Present |
Details
The AS-15B “Kent” (Kh-55SM or RKV-500B) is an intermediate-range, air-launched, turbofan-powered, single warhead cruise missile developed and manufactured by the Soviet Union.
Development of the air-launched AS-15A “Kent” began in 1971. U.S. sources claim that the AS-15 was based on the U.S. Tomahawk, the blueprints of which the Soviets acquired at an early design stage. In 1976, the Soviets also began developing two variants of the AS-15, the ground-launched SSC-X-4 “Slingshot” (RK-55 Granat) and the submarine-launched SS-N-21 “Sampson” (RK-55 Granat/3M10) cruise missiles. The missiles are believed to have been developed and manufactured by the Raduga Mechanical Design Bureau (MKB Raduga). The AS-15A is deployed on Tu-95 MS6 “Bear H6” and Tu-142M “Bear F” aircraft, each of which carries six missiles on an internal rotary launcher. The missile is also deployed on the TU-95 MS16 “Bear H16,” which carries six missiles on an internal rotary launcher, and 10 externally on five underwing pylons.
The AS-15B (Kh-55SM or RKV-500B) is a longer range version of the AS-15A. This version is deployed on the Tu-160 “Blackjack” aircraft, which carries up to 12 missiles internally in two rotary launchers. The AS-15B is similar in size and shape to the AS-15A, although it has conformal fuel tanks mounted on each side of the missile body. The turbofan engine has also been improved, and features a stronger thrust. The missile is 6.04 m long, has a body diameter of 6.04 m, and has a launch weight of 1,500 kg. Guidance is provided by an inertial navigation system (INS) in the midcourse phase, with terrain contour matching (TERCOM) providing terminal guidance. The AS-15A has a minimum range of 50 km and an increased maximum range of 3,000 km. It carries a 400 kg payload, and is fitted with a 200 to 250 kiloton nuclear warhead.
The AS-15B entered service in 1987. Approximately 1,800 AS-15A/B missiles were in service by 1991. In 1992, Russia released details of a conventional cruise missile variant of the AS-15 “Kent” known as the Kh-65SE, which carried a 410 kg high explosive warhead. This variant had a launch weight of 1,250 kg and a range of 600 km. In 1999, another conventionally armed version was reported, the AS-15C (Kh-555, KH55Sh, Kh-55SD, or Kh-55SE). Some AS-15A and AS-15B missiles have been modified to the AS-15C standard, which are carried on Tu-95, Tu-142, and Tu-160 aircraft. At present, approximately 624 AS-15 missiles are operational in Russia.(1)
Footnotes
- Duncan Lennox, ed., Jane’s Strategic Weapons Systems 42 (Surrey: Jane’s Information Group, July 2005), p. 196; GlobalSecurity.org, “Kh-55 Granat / AS-15 Kent,” available at http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/russia/as-15.htm, accessed on August 1, 2006.
