Among the aerospace technologies displayed at MAKS 2015 in Zhukovsky last week were quite a few new missiles, presented by different divisions of the Tactical Missile Corporation, and independent manufacturers. Some of the new missiles on display are outlined below.
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Three of the four new aerial ordnance weapons displayed by the Tactical Missiles Corporation – GROM E1/E2 guided, standoff weapon, X-59Mk2 cruise missile and X-58USHKE/IIR stand-off anti-radiation attack missile. Photo: Tamir Eshel, Defense-UpdateX-58USHKE/IIR is a modified variant of the weapon unveiled in 2011, designed for internal carriage in T-50 or external carriage on Su-35, 34 and 30. The IIR variant uses two infra-red imaging sensors enabling the missile to prosecute non-emitting targets that have shut down their radar to avoid attack. Photo: Tamir Eshel, Defense-Update
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The folding wings and fins enable the X-58USHKE to be carried inside the weapons bay of the T-50. THis version of the missile was first unveiled at MAKS-2011, along with the T-50 prototype.
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A new appearance at MAKS 2015 was the X-59Mk2 cruise missile. Flying at high subsonic speed, the weapon is designed for air-ground attack at ranges of 290 km. The missile carries a warhead weighing 300-700 kg. Its length is 4.2 meters and the wingspan is 2.45 meters. Although pursuing low flight altitude, X59Mk2 can hit its target at angle of 45 degrees at a terminal speed of 1,000 km/h and an accuracy of 3-5 meters. Typical targets for the weapon are ships and fixed land-based targets. Photo: Tamir Eshel, Defense-Update
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The GROM (thunder) seen on the right and X-59MK2 (left). The X-59MK2 is designed as a low-observable weapon, powered by a miniature turbine engine placed in an internal mount, inside the 40×40 cm profile, that includes the folding wings and tails, enabling internal carriage in the T-50 weapons bay. The internal engine and clean shape provide for low radar cross section, at least from a front view. The missile uses INS+GLONASS guidance Photo: Tamir Eshel, Defense-Update
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Another new guided weapon displayed by the Tactical Missiles Corporation was the 256 kg guided bomb. The weapon uses a GLONASS/SAL guidance kit enabling it to hit targets with an accuracy of less than five meters. The bomb uses three-mode fusing enabling impact, delay (penetration) or air-burst effects. Photo: Tamir Eshel, Defense-UpdateThe guided weapon comes at a length of 3.2 meters and diameter of 255mm, with height of tails and stabilizers minimized by using four twin-blade rudders, providing roll and pitch for the weapon guidance, while maintaining the width and height compatible with internal carriage. Photo: Tamir Eshel, Defense-Update
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GROM (Thunder) using the fuselage of the Kh-58 missile, with added wing sets and quad-tail fins, comes in two variants – a rocket propelled variant (E1) or unpowered variant (E2) which has a larger warhead. Both use INS+GLONASS guidance and use extracted wings for gliding, to extend the weapon’s range. Photo: Tamir Eshel, Defense-Update
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Both use extracted wings for gliding, to extend the weapon’s range. Extracted tail fins are also used, enabling the weapon to be carried internally. The GROM weighs about 600 kg. The rocket powered variant (GROM E1) carries a warhead at a weight of 300 kg while the unpowered Grom-E2 has a warhead weight of 450 kg. weight. Photo: Tamir Eshel, Defense-UpdateA selection of air/air and air/surface weapons displayed on the MiG-29SMT. The mighty Kh31 (AS-17 Krypton under the right wing) and Kh29TE (left wing) is seen underwing, along with two air/air missiles. R77 (RVV-AE) underwing and R-27 in front. Photo: Tamir Eshel, Defense-Update
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R-73 (AA-11 Archer) all-aspect heat seeking air/air missile mounted on the Yak-130 trainer displayed at MAKS 2015. ALso mounted under the wingtip station is the ‘Talisman’ IR/ECM self protection pod. Photo: Tamir Eshel, Defense-UpdateA full weapon load of the YAK-130 advanced trainer, showing rocket pods, fuel tanks, guns and air/air missiles, with self-protection pods under the wingtips. Photo: Tamir Eshel Defense-UpdateThe air-launched anti-ship missile carried under the wing of the MiG-35 at MAKS 2015 – is designated X-59M. This anti-ship missile is a derivative of Kh35 (Nato reporting designation AS-20 Kayak). The weapon has entered service in 2003 and was nicknamed ‘Harpoonsky’ for its similarity to the US Harpoon. Photo: Tamir Eshel, Defense-UpdateA surface-launched variant of the Kh35 is this GRAU 3K60 (Nato reporting designation SSC-6 ‘Sennight’). This variant uses a booster to accelerate the missile to its cruise speed. At MAKS 2015 it was displayed with the BAL coastal defense missile system. Photo: Tamir Eshel, Defense-UpdateA full scale model of the Air Launched BrahMos was displayed by the Mach 2 air-surface and anti-ship missile, jointly developed by the Russian-Indian BrahMos company. The first launch of this missile is expected in early 2016 from a Su-30 platform. Photo: Tamir Eshel, Defense-UpdateOne of the most potent Russian strike weapons is the Kh31 (AS-17 Krypton, a surface-to-air (SAM) killer capable of reaching an airspeed of Mach 4.5 at altitude, or 2.7 Mach at sea level. The Krypton comes in anti-radar, anti-ship variants. Photo: Tamir Eshel, Defense-UpdateKh29 EO guided missile carried on a MiG-29SMT. This missile has a range of 16 nm and carries a warhead of 350 kg weight. Photo: Tamir Eshel, Defense-UpdateTwo variants of the RVV-AE air/air missile shown on the MiG-29SMT – the R-77M (left) and standard R-77 (right). Photo: Tamir Eshel, Defense-Update
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