New in Special Operations: combat use of the X-69 cruise missile
Promotional image of the Kh-69 missile from KTRV
According to reports in recent months, the front-line aviation Russian aerospace forces have acquired a new air-launched cruise missile, the X-69. Products of this type are already used within the framework of Special Operations to destroy various stationary enemy targets. As follows from the available data, new Russian missiles successfully penetrate enemy air defenses and solve assigned combat missions.
Missile strikes
The promising cruise missile for front-line aviation, the X-69, was first shown to the public at the Army-2022 forum. Subsequently, the model of the product in export form repeatedly appeared at other events. It was reported that the new ALCM would be tested and put into service in the near future, but all the details of this were not disclosed.
Considering the current situation, it should be expected that in the near future the X-69 product will be tested as part of the Special Operation and will contribute to the demilitarization of the Kyiv regime. However, in 2022-23. information of this kind was not received, although rumors circulated about the deployment of new missile weapons.
The first reports of the possible combat use of the Kh-69 ALCM came in early February 2024. Ukrainian sources reported that in another strike on military and dual-use infrastructure, the Russian Aerospace Forces used a new cruise missile. The enemy counted only three such products, and also showed their supposed wreckage. In addition, as always, they did not forget to report on the successful repulsion of a massive missile attack.
The first known image of the X-69 product, 2020. Photo Telegram / BMPD
On April 11, the Russian armed forces launched a complex attack with various means on the structures of the Trypillya Thermal Power Plant in the Kyiv region. The missiles successfully hit the main facilities of the station and disabled it, leaving the capital region of Ukraine without a significant part of the generation, as well as without a chance of its restoration.
During the inspection and study of the ruins of the thermal power plant, Ukrainian specialists found fragments of weapons used in the attack. Several of these fragments attracted particular attention. These are said to be parts of an X-69 cruise missile or missiles. Photographs of the wreckage were published, in which the features of the new Russian ALCM are truly discernible. However, it will not be possible to unambiguously identify these objects.
Some details of recent events have also appeared in Ukrainian sources, although the reliability of such information is unknown. It is alleged that the Kh-69 ALCMs were used by Su-57 fighters. Ukrainian airborne surveillance systems detected the incoming missiles, but initially mistook them for a group of larger strategic Kh-101s. Soon the missiles reached the designated target and hit it.
It can be assumed that the experience of combat use of the Kh-69 ALCM is not limited to two episodes known from Ukrainian sources. They could hit other targets without leaving characteristic debris. It should also be expected that the combat use of new missiles will continue, and they will again cause damage to the enemy’s infrastructure and help the overall processes of its demilitarization.
{-69 at the Army-2022 forum. Photo Telegram / MilitaryRussia.ru
New generation
The promising X-69 cruise missile was developed at the Tactical Missile Weapons Corporation (KTRV). Probably, the direct executor of the work was the Raduga State Design Bureau, which had previously created a wide range of air-to-surface missiles and had extensive experience in this field. Development has been carried out at least since the mid-XNUMXs.
The existence of the X-69 project became known in 2020, when a photograph of such a missile or its mock-up became publicly available. The characteristic appearance and designation of the product led to the emergence of a version about the next deep modernization of the X-59 ALCM. Thus, the X-69MK2015 missile, presented in 59, with an updated stealthy appearance, could be taken as the basis for the X-2.
The X-69 missile was officially presented only two years later, at the Army-2022 military-technical forum. The main characteristics and capabilities of the product were revealed. Then it became known that in April 2022, the developers of the X-69 received the State Prize named after. G.K. Zhukov for the creation of aviation multi-purpose tactical missiles.
Judging by the wording, by this time the X-69 project was already ready. After this, tests had to be carried out, according to the results of which the missile could enter service with the Aerospace Forces. It is unknown whether all these activities have been carried out so far and the new ammunition has been officially accepted. However, X-69 products are already being used for real purposes, and bureaucratic formalities fade into the background.
Technical potential
The X-69 is a cruise missile for front-line aviation, designed to destroy remote fixed objects. With its help, it is proposed to destroy troops on the ground and at their bases, hit command infrastructure, various systems and complexes in positions, as well as other objects. To improve combat qualities, it is envisaged to expand the range of possible carriers and other measures have been taken.
Presumably, fragments of the X-69 missile used to strike the Trypillya thermal power plant, April 2024. Photo Telegram / "Military Informant"
The Kh-69 missile is built in an elongated rectangular body, designed to reduce radar signature. There is a high-mounted folding wing and an X-shaped tail. The dimensions of the product were not reported, but it is known that they correspond to the limitations of the internal compartments of the promising Su-57 fighter. Starting weight – up to 770 kg.
The product is equipped with a cruising compact turbojet engine providing high subsonic speed. The exact range parameters remain unknown. An export version of the missile with a range of 290 km, corresponding to current restrictions, was demonstrated at the exhibitions. The basic version of the X-69 for the Russian Aerospace Forces, according to various sources, can fly 1-1,5 thousand km.
It is assumed that the missile is equipped with a combined control and guidance system. Flight along a given route to a target is carried out using satellite and inertial navigation. There may also be a navigation system based on a reference map of the area.
Two types of combat units were reported to be used. Depending on the nature of the target, penetrating high-explosive or cassette weapons are used. Warhead weight – 300 or 310 kg. This is enough to cause serious damage to various structures or hit area targets.
Possibly the engine of an exploding rocket. Photo Telegram / "Military informant"
The main carrier of the Kh-69 missile is considered to be the Su-57 fighter, the features of which were taken into account during its development. At the same time, it is quite possible to use it with other front-line aircraft that are in service with our Aerospace Forces. First of all, this is the Su-34 bomber, capable of carrying several new missiles at once.
The X-69 ALCM combines several important qualities, due to which it gives front-line aviation new combat capabilities. Thanks to the special airframe design, this missile is capable of breaking through modern air defense systems and reaching its intended target. The launch range can exceed 1 thousand km, which makes the missile the longest-range tactical ammunition. In addition, limited dimensions and weight do not limit the range of rocket carriers.
Empowerment
Thus, another promising domestic development in the field of aviation weapons has been brought to production and combat use. The latest Kh-69 missiles have already demonstrated their capabilities, and also contributed to the defense of Donbass and the demilitarization of the Kyiv regime. It can be expected that now the use of such weapons will be constant and regular - if the enemy has suitable targets.
It should be taken into account that the X-69 ALCM has a positive effect on the capabilities of front-line aviation not only in the context of the current Special Operation. A product with high performance will be in service for a long time and, most likely, will become another tool for conventional deterrence.
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