First combat use: Kh-32 missiles in Special Operations
Modified Tu-22M3 with experimental Kh-32 missiles. Photo Airwar.ru
As part of the current Special Operation, the Russian aerospace forces are using a variety of aviation means of destruction. Recently it became known that Kh-32 air-to-surface guided missiles are used to destroy some Ukrainian military facilities. With their help, Tu-22M3 long-range bombers can hit both enemy ships and surface targets.
Missiles in operation
Tu-22M3 missile bombers took part in the Special Operation almost from the first weeks and performed various tasks. In particular, with the help of various types of air bombs, they destroyed enemy forces on the territory of the Mariupol Azovstal plant.
The first reports of the use of guided missiles by such bombers came in early July from the UK Department of Defense. It was alleged that Russian aviation uses Kh-22 and Kh-32 anti-ship missiles. At the same time, as always, the British military accused the Russian Aerospace Forces of attacking exclusively civilian targets. Naturally, no evidence of this was given.
New information about the use of modern missiles for the Tu-22M3 appeared only the other day. On November 2, RIA reported about this News citing an unnamed informed source. The latter confirmed that long-range aviation uses Kh-32 missiles and with their help destroys various enemy targets.
It is reported that as part of the Special Operation, Tu-22M3 aircraft, which underwent the necessary modifications and became carriers of Kh-32 missiles, conducted a series of launches of such products. The targets for the missiles were ground facilities of the Ukrainian military infrastructure. These launches fully confirmed the high accuracy and effectiveness of the used missiles, and also showed their ability to hit ground targets. At the same time, not a single missile was intercepted by enemy air defenses.
Unfortunately, the details of the combat use of missiles are unknown. The number of launches, the flight range of the products, the accuracy of the hit and the impact on the target are not specified.
Upgraded Tu-22M3M. Photo PJSC "Tupolev"
The source disclosed some information about the aircraft carrying missiles participating in the Special Operation. So, the X-32 anti-ship missiles are intended for the upgraded Tu-22M3M bombers. In addition, a number of Tu-22M3 combatants who have not yet undergone such modernization received the necessary devices and can now also use the new missile. It was these missile carriers that attacked Ukrainian targets.
Based on the results of such combat use, the source made an interesting conclusion. He noted that the Kh-32 missile is no longer a specialized anti-ship weapons. Now we are talking about a universal complex capable of hitting surface and small-sized ground targets.
Deep upgrade
The modern Kh-32 air-to-surface missile is a deep modernization of the old Kh-22 anti-ship missile, which has serious flaws. The development of an updated product began in the late eighties and was carried out at the Raduga State Design Bureau (now part of the Tactical Missiles Corporation). The future X-32 was created in difficult times, and the pace of work left much to be desired.
The situation improved only in the middle of the 2013s. By the end of the decade, the project was completed and preparations for testing began. Not later than 32, experimental Kh-2016 missiles first took to the air on a regular carrier. Then there were test launches. The work continued until XNUMX and ended with the adoption of a new missile into service.
During this period, plans were drawn up to modernize carrier aircraft. The main carrier of the X-32 in the future was to be a deeply modernized Tu-22M3M bomber. In addition, as a temporary measure, a partial re-equipment of a certain number of existing Tu-22M3s was proposed, allowing them to use new missiles.
During the first years after the adoption of the Kh-32 missiles, they were used only during exercises and additional tests. The first episodes of real combat use took place in recent months - as part of the Special Operation in Ukraine. It is curious that the X-32, made on the basis of anti-ship missiles, is still used only against ground targets.
Rocket Kh-22. Photo Missilery.info
Technical features
The modern Kh-32 missile is made on the basis of the old Kh-22 and is as similar as possible to it. Some technical solutions have been retained, and individual units and products are used, both in their original and modified form. At the same time, key components were replaced to improve all the main characteristics.
Like the base product, the X-32 is built in a cylindrical body with an animated radio-transparent nose fairing. The hull has a mid-positioned triangular wing. In the tail - plumage with a stabilizer, keel and lower crest. The total length of the rocket does not exceed 11,7 m. The wingspan is approx. 3m.
The X-32 uses a new model liquid-propellant rocket engine with improved performance. In addition, by changing the layout of the hull, it was possible to increase the capacity of the fuel tanks. According to various sources, the rocket is capable of reaching speeds of up to 4,5-5 Mach, climbing to a height of at least 30 km and flying to a range of 1000 km. There are different flight profiles to hit different targets.
The main disadvantages of the old X-22 are associated with the obsolescence of the radar homing head. For the Kh-32, a new active-passive seeker of this type was developed. It is built on a modern element base, has higher range and accuracy characteristics, and is also protected from interference. Such a head is capable of detecting and tracking not only surface ships, but also targets on land, incl. surrounded by other objects. The rocket goes to the turn of the GOS with the help of inertial and satellite navigation.
The X-22 missile carried a high-explosive-cumulative warhead weighing 960 kg. The combat equipment of the new X-32 is unknown. At the same time, there is information about the use of a reduced warhead on a modern rocket, which made it possible to increase the fuel supply.
The carriers of the Kh-32 missile are Tu-22M3/M3M aircraft with the necessary set of equipment. Apparently, for this they retain the regular beam holders under the wing or fuselage, but receive new control devices, data input, etc. As with the older product, weapons are transported under the wing or in the cargo hold in a semi-recessed position.
Combination of benefits
The strike aviation complex, which includes the Tu-22M3/M3M long-range bomber and Kh-32 missile, is one of the most interesting acquisitions of our Aerospace Forces in recent years. It most clearly shows how, based on existing platforms and samples, it is possible to create a new complex with enhanced performance and a number of important advantages.
Three Kh-22 products on Tu-22M3. New Kh-32 missiles are suspended in the same way. Photo by Wikimedia Commons
The old X-22 missile was distinguished by high flight performance and carried a heavy warhead sufficient to destroy ships of large displacement. At the same time, its seeker and controls have long been outdated. The new X-32 project provides for the preservation of the overall architecture and airframe of the old product while replacing all key components. Due to the new engine, the flight range has been improved, and the modern seeker is stable and reliable.
Similarly, the modernization of carrier aircraft in the form of Tu-22M3 is being carried out. The airframe and a number of key systems are retained, but weapons controls are replaced, etc. Moreover, a complete modernization of the bomber is not necessary. For the use of Kh-32 missiles, a partial replacement of instruments is sufficient.
The result is a strike aircraft complex with a number of advantages. First of all, this is a large radius achieved due to the characteristics of the rocket and carrier. In addition, the Kh-32 is capable of operating in difficult jamming conditions and providing guidance not only to surface targets. With all this, the high flight speed greatly complicates the timely detection and interception of a missile, and the preservation of a heavy warhead guarantees the defeat of various targets.
Confirmed by practice
In the recent past, the complex consisting of the Tu-22M3 bomber and Kh-32 missile passed all the tests and confirmed the design characteristics. Then its capabilities were demonstrated in tests. Now it has come to full-fledged combat use against real targets in the form of enemy infrastructure facilities.
Reportedly, the first series of launches ended with the defeat of the designated ground targets, and the enemy air defense was unable to repel the strikes. The first practical test has been successfully passed. It is quite possible that the combat use of Kh-32 missiles will not end there, and new reports of hit targets will come in the foreseeable future.
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