Wikipedia

Kh-25

TheKh-25/Kh-25M(Russian:Х-25;NATO:AS-10 'Karen') is a family ofSovietlightweight air-to-ground missiles with amodularrange of guidance systems and a range of 10 km.[1]Theanti-radiationvariant (Kh-25MP) is known to NATO as theAS-12 'Kegler'and has a range up to 40 km.[2]Designed by Zvezda-Strela, the Kh-25 is derived from the laser-guided version of theKh-23 Grom(AS-7 'Kerry'). The Kh-25 remains in widespread use despite the apparent development of a successor, theKh-38.

Kh-25ML/MLT/MR
(NATO reporting name:AS-10 'Karen')
Kh-25MP(AS-12 'Kegler')
Kh-25ML
Typetacticalair-to-surface missile
Place of originSoviet Union
Service history
In service1975–present
Production history
Designed1971–75
ManufacturerZvezda-Strela
Produced1975–present
Specifications
MassKh-25ML:299 kg (659 lb)[1]
Kh-25MP:315 kg (694 lb)[2]
LengthKh-25ML:370.5 cm (12 ft 2 in)[1]
Kh-25MP 1VP:425.5 cm (167.5 in)[2]
Kh-25MP 2VP:435.5 cm (171.5 in)[2]
Diameter27.5 cm (10.8 in)[1]
Wingspan75.5 cm (29.7 in)[1]
WarheadHigh explosive, shell-forming
Warhead weightKh-25MP:89.6 kg (198 lb),[2]Kh-25MR:140 kg (309 lb)[3]
Operational
range
Kh-25ML:11 km (5.9 nmi)[3]
Kh-25MP:up to 60 km (32 nmi)[3]
Kh-25MTP: 20 km (11 nmi)[3]
Maximum speedKh-25ML:1,370–2,410 km/h (850–1,500 mph)[1]
Kh-25MP:1,080–1,620 km/h (670–1,000 mph)[2]
Guidance
system
Laser guidance,passive radar,TV guidance,IIR,Satellite guidance,active radar homingdepending on variant
Launch
platform
MiG-21,[4]MiG-23/27,[4]MiG-29,[4]Ka-52, Su-17/20/22,[4]Su-24,[4]Su-25,[4]Su-27,[4]Yakovlev Yak-130
Kh-25MP: MiG-23/27,[5]Su-17/22,[5]Su-24,[5]Su-25[5]Ka-50[4]
Kh-25 being mounted on a Russian Su-24 atKhmeimim air basefor use against Syrian insurgent targets

Development

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Based on an air-to-air missile, the beam-riding Kh-66 had been the Soviet Union's first air-to-ground missile for tactical aircraft, entering service in 1968.[6]However it proved difficult to use in practice as the launch aircraft had to dive towards the target. A version with radio-command guidance, theKh-23,was first tested in 1968 but problems with the guidance system meant that it would not enter service for another five years.[7]So in 1971 work began on a version with a semi-active laser seeker, which became the Kh-25.[6]This was initially known in the West as the Kh-23L.[8]State testing began on 24 November 1974, and the Kh-25 entered production in 1975.[6]

Work began on an anti-radar missile derived from the Kh-66[5]in 1972, using a passive radar seeker and SUR-73 autopilot.[6]The long-rangeKh-31anti-radar missile came out of the same project.[6]The Kh-27 began state testing on a MiG-27 on 8 August 1975[6]but did not enter service until 2 September 1980.[6]It was assigned theNATO reporting nameAS-12 'Kegler' and in effect it replaced the much heavierKh-28(AS-9 'Kyle').[5]

In 1973 Victor Bugaiskii was appointed head engineer of the bureau and he started work on combining the Kh-23M, Kh-25 and Kh-27 into a single modular system to reduce costs and improve tactical flexibility.[6]The Kh-27 missile was chosen as a basis, due to its more powerful rocket engine and new autopilot.[9]This was completed by the end of 1978,[6]resulting in the Kh-25MP (anti-radar), Kh-25ML (laser-guided) and Kh-25MR (radio-guided) family. NATO continued to refer to these as the AS-12 and AS-10 respectively, even though they could now be switched by a simple change of seeker head.

Design

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The Kh-25 is very similar to the later version of theKh-23 Grom,with cruciform canards and fins.

The Kh-25MP has two versions of its homing head, 1VP and 2VP, sensitive to different frequencies.[2]

Combat history

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The original Kh-25 entered service with the Soviet Air Force between 1973-5, equipping theMiG-23,MiG-27andSu-17M.[4]Since then it has been cleared for use on theMiG-21,MiG-29,Sukhoi Su-17/20/22 family,Sukhoi Su-24,Su-25andSu-27.[4]It can also be carried by attack helicopters such as theKamov Ka-50.

The Kh-25MP can be fitted to the MiG-23/27, Su-17/22, Su-24 and Su-25.[5]

Soviet war in Afghanistan

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Starting in April 1986, during thesecond Battle of Zhawar,Kh-25MLs were used by SovietSu-25Frogfoots from the 378th OShAP (Independent Shturmovik Aviation Regiment) to attackMujahideencave entrances used as shelters and weapons storage facilities. Attacks were carried out from up to 4.5 nm (8 km).[10]

Iraqi invasion of Kuwait

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During theIraqi invasion of Kuwait,on August 2, 1990 an Iraqi Air Force Sukhoi Su-22 from the No.109 Squadron (based at as-Shoibiyah AB) fired a single Kh-25MP anti-radar variant against a KuwaitiMIM-23B I-HAWK SAM site atBubiyan Islandthat had earlier downed another Su-22 from the same unit and a MiG-23BN from the 49th Squadron. This forced a radar shutdown on the HAWK. The HAWK battery (which was operated by some American contractors) was later captured by Iraqi special forces and found out to be in automatic mode of operation, after the contractors fled.[11]

Chechen Wars

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Russian Air Force Su-25s employed the Kh-25 in its two Chechen campaigns for attacks on fixed positions, such as mortars and bunkers. However, their usage wasn't extensive in relation to those of unguided bombs and rockets. The use of precision-guided munitions allowed air support in areas too dangerous for attack helicopters. Their use was not widespread in theFirst Waras was inthe Second,mainly due to differences in weather conditions and, probably, the need to keep a strategic reserve of stockpiles shortly after the fall of the USSR.[12]

Russia intervention in Syria

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Laser-guided Kh-25s were employed bySu-24swing wing strike aircraft against anti-Assad rebels inSyria.[citation needed]

Variants

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NATO refers to all of the Kh-25 family as AS-10 'Karen' apart from the anti-radar variants. An "M" designation stands for "Modulnaya"– modular (seeker head).

  • Kh-25(Izdeliye71, Kh-23L) – original laser-guided variant
  • Kh-25ML– semi-active laser guidance with tandem warhead that can penetrate 1 metre (39 in) of concrete[13]
  • Kh-25MA– active radar guidance, first offered for export in 1999[4]
  • Kh-25MAE– Kh-25MA update announced for export in August 2005 with Ka-band seeker, probablyPhazotron's PSM which can detect a tank at 4,000 m (4,370 yd) and which can also be used on the Kh-25MA[13]
  • Kh-25MS– satellite navigation (GPSorGLONASS)[4]
  • Kh-25MSE– export version of Kh-25MS, announced August 2005[13]
  • Kh-25MT– TV guidance[4]
  • Kh-25MTP– infra-red guidance variant of Kh-25MT[3][4]
  • Kh-25R/Kh-25MR– Radio-command guidance variant,[4]it has a bigger 140 kg (309 lb) warhead.[3]
  • Kh-27(Kh-27/M, AS-12 'Kegler') – original anti-radiation missile
  • Kh-25MP(AS-12 'Kegler') – modular anti-radiation variant[5]
  • Kh-25MPU(AS-12 'Kegler') – Updated Kh-25MP[5]

Training rounds have "U" designations, so, e.g., for the Kh-25ML there is:

  • Kh-25MUL– combat training Kh-25ML[1]
  • Kh-25ML-UD– functional training missile[1]
  • Kh-25ML-UR– sectional training missile[1]

Operators

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Map with Kh-25 operators in blue

Current

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Former

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Similar weapons

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  • Kh-23M (AS-7 'Kerry') – predecessor to the Kh-25 had some technology "backported" from the Kh-25
  • Kh-29(AS-14 'Kedge') – 320 kg warhead; semi-active laser, IIR, passive radar and TV guidance with 10–30 km range
  • Kh-59(AS-13 'Kingbolt') – longer range missile with heavier warhead and TV guidance
  • Kh-38– successor to the Kh-25
  • AGM-65 Maverick– similar lightweight missile in US service which has seen numerous guidance and warhead variants
  • AGM-45 Shrike– US equivalent to the Kh-25MP anti-radar missile

Bibliography

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  • International Institute for Strategic Studies(2024).The Military Balance 2024.Taylor & Francis.ISBN978-1-040-05115-3.

References

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  1. ^abcdefghi"Kh-25ML".Tactical Missiles Corporation. 2004. Archived fromthe originalon 2007-09-28.
  2. ^abcdefg"Kh-25MP".Tactical Missiles Corporation. 2004. Archived fromthe originalon 2007-09-28.Retrieved2009-02-07.
  3. ^abcdefFriedman, Norman (1997).The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapons Systems, 1997–1998.Naval Institute Press.ISBN9781557502681.Retrieved14 November2014.
  4. ^abcdefghijklmno"Kh-25 (AS-10 'Karen')",Jane's Air-Launched Weapons,2008-08-01, archived fromthe originalon June 12, 2009,retrieved2009-02-07
  5. ^abcdefghi"Kh-25MP, Kh-25MPU (AS-12 'Kegler')",Jane's Air-Launched Weapons,2008-08-01,retrieved2009-02-07
  6. ^abcdefghiHistory of JSC Tactical Missile Corporation,pp. 4–6, archived fromthe original(Word 97 DOC)on 2011-07-27,retrieved2009-02-26
  7. ^Friedman, Norman (1997),The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapons Systems,Naval Institute Press, p. 235,ISBN978-1-55750-268-1
  8. ^"Kh-23, Kh-66 Grom (AS-7 'Kerry')",Jane's Air-Launched Weapons,2008-08-01,retrieved2009-02-07[dead link‍]
  9. ^Angielskiy, Rostislav (July 2005). "«Zvyezda» sniala v Korolevye".Tekhnika i Vooruzheniye(in Russian). No. 7/2005. p. 32.
  10. ^Miladenov, Alexander (17 September 2013).Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot.Bloomsbury USA.ISBN9781782003595.Retrieved14 November2014.
  11. ^abCooper, Tom; Sadik (IrAF), Brig. Gen. Ahmad (26 August 2007)."Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait; 1990".ACIG.org.Archived fromthe originalon 14 July 2014.Retrieved12 May2024.
  12. ^Major Robert D. Evans, USAF (2001-01-05)."Russian Airpower in the Second Chechen War".Defense Technical Information Center.Archived fromthe originalon 2017-06-14.
  13. ^abcFriedman, Norman (2006),The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapon Systems(5 ed.), Naval Institute Press, p. 838,ISBN978-1-55750-262-9
  14. ^IISS 2024,p. 344.
  15. ^IISS 2024,p. 183.
  16. ^IISS 2024,p. 78.
  17. ^"Tactical Missiles Corporation Missile Exportation Since 1992"(PDF).Moscow Defense Brief(4/2008): 26.
  18. ^Mitzer, Stijn; Oliemans, Joost (26 August 2021)."Tankovy Busters: Su-25TK Attack Aircraft In Ethiopian Service".Oryx.
  19. ^IISS 2024,p. 356.
  20. ^IISS 2024,p. 284.
  21. ^IISS 2024,p. 187.
  22. ^IISS 2024,p. 127.
  23. ^IISS 2024,p. 387.
  24. ^IISS 2024,p. 213.
  25. ^Newdick, Thomas (10 August 2022)."Ukrainian Su-24 Back In The Fight And Armed With A Laser-Guided Missile".The War Zone.Retrieved12 May2024.
  26. ^"Ukrainian Air Force Probably Use Rare Soviet Kh-25 Missiles With Su-24M Aircraft".Defense Express.3 March 2024.Retrieved12 May2024.
  27. ^IISS 2024,p. 216.
  28. ^abcdefgh"Arms transfer database".SIPRI.Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.Retrieved12 May2024.
  29. ^IISS 2024,p. 170.
  30. ^Quang Minh (2014-06-10)."Kh-25 - Tên lửa đối đất chủ lực của Su-22 Việt Nam"[Kh-25 - the backbone anti-surface missile of Vietnamese Su-22].Soha(in Vietnamese).Retrieved2023-06-20.

Further reading

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  • Gordon, Yefim (2004),Soviet/Russian Aircraft Weapons Since World War Two,Hinckley, England: Midland Publishing,ISBN1-85780-188-1
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