Multi-purpose potential: guided missiles of the Kh-31 family
Kh-31P missile under the wing of a Su-35S fighter. Photo by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
In service with the Russian military aviation consists of guided missiles Kh-31 of several versions, designed to solve various combat missions. So, anti-radar Kh-31P is currently being used to destroy enemy radio equipment. In addition, X-31A products capable of destroying large surface targets remain in stock. There are also several improved modifications of the two base missiles. Due to this, the X-31 family has a high potential and deservedly takes its place in the arsenals.
With enhanced performance
The promising family of Kh-31 air-to-surface guided missiles has been developed by the Zvezda Design Bureau near Moscow since the mid-seventies. Initially, the goal of the project was to create a new Kh-31P anti-radar missile, superior to existing models. A few years later, on the basis of this product, they began to design the Kh-31A anti-ship missile.
Flight tests of experimental missiles began in 1982 and continued for a long time. Only in 1988-89. two new missiles passed all tests and were recommended for production and adoption. The new Kh-31P/A products were included in the ammunition load of several existing fighters and bombers.
In the early nineties, work began on improving existing missiles. Various components were replaced and new solutions were introduced aimed at increasing technical and combat characteristics. In addition, during that period, the MA-31 target missile was developed for training air defense calculations and its extended-range variant MA-31D. In total, half a dozen modifications with different features were created on the basis of the original X-31P / A.
Upgraded Kh-31PD. Photo "Rosoboronexport"
The first missiles entered the Air Force and Navy of the USSR at the turn of the eighties and nineties. Subsequently, the Russian army also ordered products of new modifications. In addition, such weapon supplied to several foreign customers. Of particular interest is the delivery of several batches of MA-31 targets to the United States.
Actual tasks
Since the appearance in the arsenals of the Air Force and the Navy, Kh-31 missiles have been regularly used during various exercises and training. In addition, there were reports of the use of such weapons in 2008 during the operation to force Georgia to peace. However, full-scale combat use began only this year, as part of the Special Operation in Ukraine.
The first reports of the use of anti-radar X-31P appeared in mid-March. Official videos from the Ministry of Defense showed Su-35S fighter-bombers with similar weapons on an external sling. In mid-May, another video showed not only Su-35S aircraft with such weapons, but also the process of launching a rocket.
On July 11, TASS, citing its sources, revealed new details about the use of the Kh-31P. It is reported that Su-30SM fighter-bombers are now also used as carriers of these missiles. Attacks are carried out on enemy radar stations, and such targets are destroyed with high accuracy.
Anti-ship X-31A. Photo KTRV
It should be noted that in the news only anti-radar missiles of the X-31P line appear. Anti-ship X-31A has not yet been mentioned. In theory, such weapons could be used in the first hours or days of the Special Operation, when almost all ships and boats of the Ukrainian Navy were destroyed. After that, anti-ship missiles were left without targets and therefore are not used.
Family appearance
All missiles of the Kh-31 line have a similar appearance. They are made in a cylindrical body of high elongation with an ogival radio-transparent head fairing. There are protruding elongated air intakes on the body, giving the rocket a recognizable appearance. These units are equipped with wings and rudders.
The base X-31P / A had a length of 4,7 m and a hull diameter of 360 mm with a rudder span of up to 1,1 m. Starting weight - approx. 600 kg. With further modernization in the X-31PD / AD projects, the length increased to 5,43 m, and the weight to 710-715 kg. The next project X-31PK, however, did not provide for a major change in dimensions. This rocket was only 4,8 m long and was several kilograms heavier than the base product.
The missiles of the family are equipped with a ramjet engine with side air intakes and a tail nozzle. With its help, speeds up to 1000 m / s develop; the average speed on the trajectory does not exceed 650-700 m/s. The first Kh-31P missile had a range of 110 km, while the Kh-31A had a range of 70 km. With further modernization, in the "PD" and "AD" projects, ranges of up to 250 and 160 km were obtained, respectively.
Passive radar seeker PRGS-4VP/5VP/6VP. Photo Missilery.info
The first X-31P missile was equipped with passive radar homing heads PRGS-4VP/5VP/6VP with different operating ranges. With the help of such GOS, the rocket was supposed to find and accompany various radars from the enemy’s anti-aircraft systems. In the X-31PD project, a new broadband seeker was introduced, which replaced previous products and increased the capture range.
The X-31A anti-ship missiles used an active radar seeker of the ARGS-31 type. With its help, the missile was supposed to detect and capture large surface targets in the entire range of operating ranges. In the Kh-31AD project, an additional inertial navigation system was used, which brings the missile to the target acquisition line of the seeker.
Anti-radar missiles are equipped with a high-explosive fragmentation warhead, anti-ship missiles are equipped with a high-explosive penetrating warhead. On early products, warheads weighing 90-95 kg were used, and later heavier 110-kg were introduced. Anti-radar missiles use non-contact detonation. Anti-ship warheads explode with a delay after breaking through the target structures. The X-31A missile is capable of sinking a ship with a displacement of up to 4500 tons.
Missiles of the X-31 family are compatible with all domestic front-line aircraft. They can be used by older MiG-29s or Su-27s, as well as modern Su-30SMs, Su-35Ss, Su-34s, etc. Apparently, such products are included in the ammunition of the promising Su-57.
Su-34 front-line bomber with several X-31s. Photo "Rosoboronexport"
High fighting qualities
Despite the age of the family, Kh-31 missiles of all modifications remain modern and effective weapons. They are able to solve assigned tasks and fight enemy ground targets. This was repeatedly confirmed during the exercises, and now it is being demonstrated in the conditions of a real military operation.
One of the main positive qualities of such weapons is unification. On the basis of common units and systems, several missiles with different functions and characteristics have been developed. This seriously simplifies the production of mass-produced weapons, their operation in the army and combat use.
An important advantage is compatibility with all current air platforms, which significantly affects the combat qualities. Thus, a modern carrier in the form of the Su-35S or Su-30SM is distinguished by high flight characteristics, which makes it possible to move the launch line forward, and at the same time increase the overall combat radius. In addition, such aircraft are equipped with modern electronic equipment, which allows detecting targets at long range and making full use of the potential of missiles.
X-31 products, regardless of modification, are distinguished by high flight characteristics. Thus, the X-31P missile flies 110 km, which allows the carrier aircraft to attack radars from the short and medium-range air defense systems from outside their affected area. At the same time, the flight of a missile to the target takes just a couple of minutes, and the enemy has practically no time to respond. With the next upgrade, the flight range increased to 250 km, and the Kh-31PD missile can destroy more complex targets with more serious cover.
Launch of the Kh-31P missile, view from the pilot's seat. Photo by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
Kh-31P/PD carries a heavy high-explosive fragmentation warhead with non-contact detonation. With a direct hit, such a warhead destroys any radar and nearby objects. On a miss, the shards deal damage to the target and still disable it.
In the case of the X-31 anti-ship missiles, all the advantages associated with carrier aircraft and flight performance are also realized. At the same time, high flight speed not only simplifies the breakthrough to the target, but also enhances the impact on it due to kinetic energy. A powerful missile strike combined with a penetrating warhead allows you to sink even relatively large targets.
The ARGSN makes its contribution to the high combat qualities of the X-31A / AD. The used head allows you to take the target for tracking from a distance of tens of kilometers and then confidently direct the missile. The ARGS-31 product is distinguished by high performance and resistance to interference. The use of additional inertial navigation allows you to increase the range without replacing the seeker. In addition, in both cases, the "launch and forget" principle is implemented, which allows the aircraft to remain outside the ship's air defense zone.
Useful family
Thus, Kh-31 air-to-surface guided missiles are one of the most interesting and useful weapons in the arsenals of our tactical aviation. The products of this line are designed to solve two main tasks and hit radar systems or surface targets, and do it with high efficiency. At the same time, it is possible to choose a missile that best suits the intended target and the characteristics of the current situation.
The high potential of Kh-31 missiles is being demonstrated right now. Thus, the enemy fleet was completely destroyed and, probably, X-31A / AD anti-ship missiles participated in this process. Ukrainian radio-technical and anti-aircraft systems still continue to work - and are regularly destroyed by strikes of Kh-31P/PD anti-radar or other weapons. And the current state of Ukrainian air defense perfectly demonstrates the potential of such missiles.
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