Independent Working Group Report: Missile Defense, the Space Relationship, and the Twenty-First Century. »»
February 11, 2012
IWG Report 2009
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: | 6.04 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 0.77 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 with an accuracy of 25 m CEP. The AS-15B 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. As of May 2006, approximately 872 AS-15 missiles (of all variants) were operational in Russia. It is believed that 500 nuclear-armed missiles will be kept in service with an unknown number of conventionally-armed missiles.(1)
Footnotes
