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-17
| Country: | Russian Federation |
|---|---|
| Alternate Name: | Krypton, Kh-31A/P |
| Class: | ALCM |
| Target: | Ship |
| Length: | 4.70 m |
| Diameter: | 0.36 m |
| Wingspan: | 0.80 m |
| Launch Weight: | 610.00 kg |
| Payload: | 110 kg HE, SAP (Kh-31A); 95 kg HE, SAP (Kh-31P) |
| Propulsion: | Solid |
| Range: | 70.00 km |
| Guidance: | INS, active radar (Kh-31A); INS, Passive radar (Kh-31P) |
| Status: | Operational |
| In Service: | 1989-Present |
| Associated Country: | China |
| Exported: | China, US |
Details
The AS-17 “Krypton” (Kh-31A/P) is a short-range, air-launched, ramjet-propelled, single-warhead, air-to-surface cruise missile developed and manufactured by Russia.
Development of the AS-17 began in the late 1970s as a follow-on to the AS-12 “Kegler.” Aimed at countering the U.S. Patriot and Standard Missile air defense systems, the AS-17 was a new concept missile, unlike any that the Russians had previously designed. Similar in some way to the U.S. LTV designed ramjet-powered research missile, which flew in 1974, the AS-17 features four ramjet intake ducts developed by the Soyuz Turaevo Machine Design Bureau.
The AS-17 was first revealed in 1991, and reports soon after indicated that the Russians had developed two interchangeable homing heads for the missile: an active radar seeker for use in the terminal phase against ship targets, and a passive anti-radar seeker. The active radar anti-ship missile was designated Kh-31A, and the passive radar version was designated Kh-31P. Two different lengths exist for both the Kh-31A and Kh-31P.
The Kh-31A Mod 1 is 4.7 m in length, has a body diameter of 0.36, and has a weight of 610 kg, while the Kh-31A Mod 2 is 5.23 m in length, has a body diameter of 0.36, and has a weight of 700 kg. It is guided by an inertial navigation system (INS) in the midcourse phase, with an active radar seeker for the terminal phase. The Mod 1 carries a 95 kg high explosive semi-armor-piercing warhead, while the Mod 2 carries a 110 kg high explosive semi-armor piercing warhead. The minimum range for both versions in 5 km, while the Mod 1 has a maximum range of 70 km and the Mod 2 has a maximum range of 100 km. The Kh-31A is believed to have an accuracy of 8 m circular area probability (CEP).
The Kh-31P Mod 1 is 4.7 m in length, has a body diameter of 0.36, and has a weight of 599 kg, while the Kh-31P Mod 2 is 5.23 m in length, has a body diameter of 0.36, and has a weight of 625 kg. Guidance is passive radar homing. Both versions carry an 87 kg high explosive blast/fragmentation warhead. The Kh-31P has a minimum range of 15 km, while the Mod 1 has a maximum range of 110 km, and the Mod 2 has a maximum range of 200 km. The missile is believed to have an accuracy of 8 m CEP. Both the Kh-31A and Kh-31P have a cruise speed of Mach 2.5 at low level, or Mach 3.0 at high level.
The Kh-31P entered service in Russia in 1988, followed by the Kh-31A in 1989. The missiles are deployed on Su-17 “Fitter,” Su-24 “Fencer,” Su-25 “Frogfoot,” Su-27, Su-30, Su-32, Su-33, and Su-35 “Flanker,” MiG-21 “Fishbed,” MiG-27 “Flogger,” MiG-31 “Foxhound,” and MiG-29 “Fulcrum” aircraft. Most of the missiles currently in service in Russia are believed to be Mod 1, with the Mod 2 being offered for export under the designation X-31.
Russia has also developed the MA-31 variant, which is believed to have similar range capabilities as the Kh-31A missile, to be used as a supersonic target for ship defense training. In 1994, the MA-31 was selected for evaluation by the U.S. Navy, and a joint trials and evaluation program was set up between Zvezda-Strela (now Tactical Missile Corporation) and McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing). Flight trials started in 1996, and the MA-31 was launched from U.S. Navy QF-4 Phantom aircraft against ship targets. 34 MA-31 missiles were delivered to Boeing in 2000 and another 25 were ordered in 2003. It is believed that 100 missiles will be delivered for the US Navy's program.
In 1998, reports emerged of a joint Russian/Chinese program to develop a modified Kh-31P anti-radar missile with an increased range to around 300 km. The missile was designated KR-1 in Russia and YJ-91 in China. It is believed that China will develop further YJ-91 missiles under license, to be deployed on its Su-30MKK2 aircraft. The following year, an improved seeker for the Kh-31A anti-ship version was reported to have been in development with a range of 60 km. In 2003, it was reported that the Russians had developed a new passive radar seeker for an upgraded version known as Kh-31PM. It is believed that the Kh-31PM also has an upgraded motor. Final testing on the new design was expected to be completed in 2006. An export version of the Kh-31PM, known as the Kh-31PMK, is believed to have been exported to China; it may have the Chinese designation YJ-93.(1)
Footnotes
