Interspecific modular guided missile Kh-MD-E
UAV "Thunder" and its weapons. Far right - rocket "Product 85"
For various carriers, including front-line aircraft aviation and unmanned aerial vehicles, a promising short-range guided missile of the X-MD (-E) class is being developed. This product has already been demonstrated to the public and is now undergoing the necessary tests to confirm the calculated characteristics. Development work should be completed as soon as possible.
Exhibition exhibits
Two years ago, at the Army-2020 forum, the Russian company Kronstadt for the first time showed a mock-up of the Grom heavy unmanned aerial vehicle. Together with him, several aviation weapons presented by the Tactical Missiles Corporation (KTRV) were demonstrated at the exhibition.
In particular, for the first time in an open exhibition they showed a model of a guided missile under the designation "Product 85". This product was described as "an interspecific small-sized modular aviation weapon of destruction." The information plate provided some of the characteristics of the rocket.
The following year, at Army-2021, KTRV again showed its promising developments. One of them was the Kh-MD-E product - "an interspecific multi-purpose short-range homing missile." Outwardly, this rocket practically did not differ from the already well-known "Product 85". This allowed us to assume that we are talking about the same project at different stages of development and / or in different modifications.
This year, the Kh-MD-E rocket in a mock-up design again hit the Army forum. On the eve of the exhibition, KTRV revealed some of the features of this development. So, it was again confirmed that the rocket is interspecific and is intended for different carriers. It can be used by aircraft and UAVs of the appropriate class. It also provides for use from offshore platforms. There are several variants of the rocket with different guidance methods.
It should be noted that in 2020-22. everything was limited only to demonstrating mock-ups and announcing the main features and characteristics of the new rocket. KTRV did not talk about the development progress, testing, etc. Information of this kind has appeared only recently.
Model of the Kh-MD-E missile at Army-2021
Latest news
On September 22, TASS published a long interview with KTRV CEO Boris Obnosov. The very first topic of conversation was promising small-sized weapons for UAVs, which include the new Kh-MD-E missile.
The general director of KTRV said that the development of the X-MD-E missile continues and is at the stage of a technical project. It is assumed that development work will be completed in the near future. Exact dates, however, are not known.
Tests are being carried out. During the development work, several experimental missiles were manufactured and launched. In particular, the missiles have been successfully tested using drone-carrier. The type of such UAV is not specified.
B. Obnosov revealed a curious feature of the new rocket. Like a number of other modern developments, Kh-MD-E is built according to a modular scheme and consists of several different units. When using all modules, this product is a guided missile for destroying ground targets. At the same time, the propulsion module can be replaced by a second warhead unit, and the missile will turn into a guided bomb.
short range missile
Externally and from the point of view of the main design features, the promising Kh-MD-E missile does not differ from another weapons air-to-surface class. It is made in a cylindrical body with a diameter of 200 mm and a length of 2,4 m. The starting weight of the product is 120 kg. There is a lively head fairing; the tail section is tapered. There is a long gargrot on the bottom of the body.
On the sides, with a shift to the tail, there are four wings of minimum elongation with a broken leading edge. Behind them are four rudders. The maximum span of the planes is 400 mm.
In 2020, a model of the 85 rocket was demonstrated with a transparent nose fairing necessary for the operation of the optical homing head. The X-MD-E 2021 layout received a closed fairing made of, probably, a radio-transparent material. At the same time, a protruding fairing with a window for another optical device appeared under the head part, in front of the fairing.
Such differences are associated with the use of different GOS. As it has now become known, three variants of the head in a modular design are offered for the new rocket at once. A semi-active seeker can be installed, such a missile is designated as Kh-MD-E1. Active and passive radar seekers are also offered, such modifications are marked with the letters "E2" and "E3", respectively.
Behind the head is placed warhead. A high-explosive fragmentation charge with a hardened body is used, due to which the penetrating ability is increased. The mass of such a warhead is 30 kg. As noted in the development organization, the rocket can be converted into a bomb. Such ammunition carries two warhead modules with a total mass of 60 kg.
In all modifications, the rocket receives a solid-propellant tail-mounted engine. The flight speed was not named. Range - up to 40 km. Probably, the launch range depends on the carrier platform, its flight parameters and other factors.
The X-MD-E missile is interspecific. First of all, it is considered as an air-to-surface weapon for combat aviation. Various aircraft and helicopters of front-line and army aviation can become carriers of the missile. Small dimensions and weight make it possible to hang such ammunition on any current types of aviation equipment, and several at a time.
The product is compatible with strike UAVs. The types of such carriers are not specified, but one can imagine which of the domestic drones are of sufficient size and carrying capacity. In the future, the Kh-MD-E missile, which has several different modifications, can become one of the main ammunition for UAVs. This does not exclude the use of a unified bomb with two warheads.
X-MD-E can also become a weapon for fleet and used on surface platforms. Apparently, in this case, a special launcher suitable for installation on ships and boats will be created. This product has not yet been shown. How a missile for the fleet will differ from an aviation one is also unknown.
Prospects and expectations
Judging by the available data, the promising air-to-surface or surface-to-surface missile Kh-MD-E is of great interest. This project uses several interesting technical solutions that ensure the achievement of high performance and expand the operational capabilities of both the missile itself and its carrier.
Modified rocket warhead arr. 2021
The central idea of the X-MD-E project is a modular architecture. It was with her help that it was already possible to create three versions of the rocket with different combat capabilities. In addition, at least at a theoretical level, a unified aerial bomb made from ready-made components is proposed. It is possible that there are other ways to use the modular architecture.
The missile is being created for use on various carriers, and this time it is not only about air platforms. X-MD-E will be able to get on board ships and boats, providing or enhancing their strike capabilities in the near zone. It cannot be ruled out that a unified land-based missile system will be created in the future. A missile with a range of up to 30-40 km will be a good addition to existing anti-tank systems, cannon artillery or MLRS.
New generation
The promising product "85" or X-MD-E is a good example of how modern missile weapons can develop. During this project, with the help of new technologies, materials and solutions, a new model of a multi-purpose rocket is being created. At the same time, not only increased performance characteristics are achieved, but completely new possibilities of various kinds are also provided.
Reportedly, work on a new generation rocket X-MD-E will be completed in the near future. This means that the new ammunition is successfully tested and confirms the calculated parameters, and also demonstrates the correctness of the adopted technical solutions. In the foreseeable future, the missile may enter service with the Aerospace Forces and the Navy and improve their combat capabilities. And the main ideas of this project can be used in the creation of the following types of missile weapons.
Information