Kh-35U Anti-Ship Missile Added to Russian Su-35S Fighters Weapon Suite

: Posted On Thursday, 02 November 2017 08:31

Naval Defense News - Russia

Kh-35U Anti-Ship Missile Added to Russian Su-35S Fighters Weapon Suite

The Su-35S fighter jets of the Aerospace Forces (VKS) will be able to destroy naval targets of various classes, as well as ground objects, owing to the Kh-35U anti-ship missiles (ASM). The ASM has been officially introduced to the armament suite of the Su-35S after trials. Therefore, the fighters will be multifunctional platforms, being able to accomplish a wide range of tasks, according to the Izvestia newspaper.

A Kh-35U model fitted on an aircraft

The Kh-35U has been developed by JSC Tactical Missiles Corporation (KTRV). It is the first fully unified missile that can be used by surface combatants, coastal defense missile systems and aerial platforms.

The Ministry of Defense (MoD) told the Izvestia newspaper that the decision to introduce the Kh-35U to the armament suite of the Su-35S had been made in early September. The software and components of the missiles and the newest fighters have been modified during the works. It has resulted in the full compatibility of the Kh-35U and the Su-35S.

Previously, the Chairman of the Armed Forces` military-scientific committee - Deputy Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Igor Makushev said that the Su-35S was accomplishing tasks to cover air strike groups during its approbation in Syria. The aircraft used guided bombs and air-to-surface missiles.

According to the Izvestia newspaper, the Kh-35UEh missile has a weight of 550 kg, including a 145 kg warhead. The missile features a flight speed of 300 m/s and a range of 260 km. At present, the Kh-35UEh can be carried by several types of surface combatants, the Su-24M, Su-30SM, MiG-29K/KUB, Su-35S and Tu-142 combat aircraft, and the Ka-52K helicopters. The missile is also integrated with the Bal-Eh coastal defense missile system.

"The development of unified types of weapons allows costs optimizing through the medium of making of a single missile for various carriers. The missile can be used by the MiG-29K/KUB fighter jets and the Ka-52K attack helicopters," the chief designer of the missile complex Nikolay Vasiliyev told the Izvestia newspaper.

Kh-35UE (also known as AS-X-20 Harpoonsky) Anti-ship missile in its surface launched export variant (launched from BAL-E mobile coastal missile system).

According to Vadim Kozyulin, an expert, the Su-35S is estimated to be the most sophisticated combat aircraft of Russia`s Aerospace Forces. In fact, it is a transitional fighter jet before the delivery of the newest T-50 to the military. The Su-35S and the cutting-edge aircraft are akin in a glass cockpit and an engine with an improved thrust, an enhanced resource and a digital control system. As a result, the fighter features increased speed, maneuverability and payload. The Su-35S can carry up to 8 t of combat payload, according to the Izvestia newspaper.

"The Su-35S will be able to destroy almost full range of targets, from surface combatants to enemy`s field fortifications, with the same efficiency, owing to the introduction of the unified cruise missile to its armament suite. A passive seeker that allows flying under radars and destroying of an assigned target is the main advantage of the Kh-35U missile," Kozyulin said.

At present, Russia`s Aerospace Forces operate over 60 Su-35S fighter jets. In early January, 2016, four newest aircraft were deployed at the Humaymim airbase. The Su-35S is fitted with a thrust vector engine, an advanced radar and a sophisticated optical-electronic station. The fighter can engage both aerial (including the F-35 and F-22 fifth-generation combat aircraft) and ground targets by day and night in all weather conditions, the Izvestia newspaper says.

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