Missile AS-10 Karen / Kh-25
Summary
| Category | Surface-to-Air Missile |
| Sub-type | Surface-to-air missile |
| Origin country | 🇷🇺 Russia 🇨🇳 Ex-USSR |
Technical specifications
| AS-10 Karen / Kh-25 | |
|---|---|
| Warhead | High Explosive |
| Warhead Weight | 100 kg |
| Diameter | 300 mm (11.8 in) |
| Span | 820 mm (32.3 in) |
| Length | 3500 mm (137.8 in) |
| Weight | 400 kg (882 lb) |
| Range | 11 km (7 mi) |
Description
The Kh-25, known by its NATO reporting name AS-10 Karen, is a family of Russian air-to-surface missiles primarily designed for close air support, suppression of enemy air defenses, and ship attacks. Developed in the 1970s, the missile family has various versions tailored for different roles and guidance systems, including laser, TV, and active radar guidance.
Originally developed by the Zvezda-Strela Design Bureau, the Kh-25 is generally carried by Russian aircraft like the Su-25, MiG-27, and MiG-29, among others. It has also been exported and is in service with various countries around the world.
The missile is powered by a solid-fuel rocket motor, providing it with a relatively high speed, although it is not as fast as some anti-radiation or air-to-air missiles. It typically carries a high-explosive warhead designed to be effective against a variety of target types, including armored vehicles, surface-to-air missile sites, and small naval vessels.
One of the key features of the Kh-25 family is its versatility in guidance options. For instance, the Kh-25ML utilizes semi-active laser guidance, requiring a separate designator to "paint" the target. The Kh-25MP, on the other hand, is an anti-radiation variant designed to home in on enemy radar emissions, making it useful for SEAD missions.
Despite its versatility, the Kh-25 is limited by its relatively short range, especially when compared to more modern air-to-surface missiles. This requires the launch aircraft to approach fairly close to the target, potentially exposing it to enemy air defenses. Additionally, the Kh-25's guidance systems, while effective, are not as advanced as some contemporary Western systems, which may offer better accuracy and all-weather capability.