Independent Working Group Report: Missile Defense, the Space Relationship, and the Twenty-First Century. »»
October 7, 2008
IWG Report 2007
Independent Working Group Report: Missile Defense, the Space Relationship, and the Twenty-First Century. »»
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AS-18
| Country: | Russian Federation |
|---|---|
| Alternate Name: | Kazoo, Kh-59M, Ovod-M |
| Class: | ALCM |
| Target: | Land |
| Length: | 5.10 m |
| Diameter: | 0.38 m |
| Wingspan: | 1.17 m |
| Launch Weight: | 850.00 kg |
| Payload: | 315 kg HE; 280 kg submunitions |
| Propulsion: | Turbojet |
| Range: | 120.00 km |
| Guidance: | INS, datalink, TV command |
| Status: | Operational |
| In Service: | 1999-Present |
Details
The AS-18 “Kazoo” (Kh-59M Ovod-M) is a short-range, air-launched, turbojet-propelled, single warhead, air-to-surface cruise missile developed and manufactured by Russia. It is a turbojet-powered version of the AS-13 “Kingbolt” (Kh-59 Ovod).
Development of the AS-18 began in the mid-1980s, and the missile was first exhibited in 1993. It is similar to the AS-13, but has a turbojet engine located under the rear body. The AS-18 is 5.1 m in length, has a body diameter of 0.38 m, a wingspan of 1.17 m, and has a launch weight of 850 kg. It is guided by an inertial navigation system (INS) in the midcourse phase, and a television imaging system in the terminal phase. The launch aircraft carries a datalink that receives TV pictures from the AS-13 and sends guidance commands back to the missile.
The AS-18 flies at a low level of about 7 m over water, or at 100 m, 200 m, 600 m, or 1,000 m over land. Its maximum range is 40 km, although with aircrew updates it can reach 120 km at about Mach 0.8. The missile carries a 315 kg high explosive semi-armor piercing warhead, although there are reports of an alternative submunition warhead with a weight of 280 kg. The AS-18 is believed to have an accuracy of about 5 m circular error probability (CEP).
The AS-18 probably entered service in 1991 and was deployed on MiG-27 “Flogger,” Su-17/22 “Fitter,” Su-24 “Fencer,” and Su-25 “Frogfoot” aircraft. Sources indicate that the AS-18 will also be carried on the Su-27M “Flanker” (Su-35), the Su-30M, the Su-32FN, and the Su-34 aircraft. A ship-launched version has been offered for export, featuring a tandem-mounted boost rocket for the launch phase that brings the total missile weight to 1,000 kg. It is unknown whether the ship-launched version has entered service in Russia.
In 1995, a report emerged suggesting that an increased-range version of the AS-18 was in development under the Russian designation Kh-59ME. A slightly longer and heavier missile, the Kh-59ME cruises at Mach 1.5 at altitudes between 50 and 1,100 m, and has an extended maximum range of 200 km and an improved accuracy of 2 to 3 m CEP. The Kh-59ME is believed to carry a 320 kg high explosive semi-armor piercing warhead. Russia is believed to have offered this missile for export in 1999.
In 2001, a third version of the AS-18 was offered for export under the Russian designation Kh-59MK. This version includes a turbofan engine, an active radar seeker for the terminal phase, and has an extended range of 285 km. It appears similar to the Kh-59M, but has a longer nose section and different front canard stabilizing fins. It is designed to attack ship targets with a 320 kg high explosive semi-armor piercing warhead. The Kh-59MK may have been ordered by China for use on the Su-30MKK aircraft.
Russia may also have developed a selectable 10 to 100 kiloton nuclear warhead for the AS-18 to be deployed on Su-27 “Flanker” aircraft. This version may have been given the Russian designation Kh-20.(1)
Footnotes
- Duncan Lennox, ed., Jane’s Strategic Weapons Systems 45 (Surrey: Jane’s Information Group, July 2006), pp. 119-120; GlobalSecurity.org, “Raduga Kh-59 (AS-13 Kingbolt) and Kh-59M (AS-18 Kazoo),” available at http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/as-13.htm, accessed on August 1, 2006.
