Missile AS-15 Kent / Kh-55
Summary
| Category | Cruise Missile |
| Sub-type | Cruise missile |
| Origin country | 🇷🇺 Russia 🇨🇳 Ex-USSR |
Technical specifications
| AS-15 Kent / Kh-55 | |
|---|---|
| Warhead | Nuclear |
| Warhead Weight | 200 kilotons |
| Diameter | 510 mm (20.1 in) |
| Span | 3100 mm (122.0 in) |
| Length | 6040 mm (237.8 in) |
| Weight | 1500 kg (3307 lb) |
| Range | 2500 km (1553 mi) |
| Max Speed | Mach 0.75 |
Description
The AS-15 Kent, known by its Russian designation Kh-55, is a long-range, air-launched cruise missile developed by the Soviet Union. Primarily designed for strategic missions, the Kh-55 is intended to deliver a nuclear or conventional warhead over long distances, and it has been a staple in the Russian Air Force's arsenal. It's most often associated with bomber aircraft like the Tu-95 and Tu-160.
The Kh-55 uses a turbofan engine for propulsion, allowing it to cover significant distances, with ranges often cited as up to 2,500 to 3,000 kilometers depending on the variant. The missile's aerodynamic design and low flight altitude—often just a few meters above the ground or water—make it difficult to detect and intercept.
For navigation and guidance, the Kh-55 primarily uses a terrain contour matching (TERCOM) and inertial navigation system. Some modernized versions are reported to feature satellite navigation, such as GPS or GLONASS, for improved accuracy. The missile is designed to be highly accurate, with an aim to hit strategic or high-value targets like command centers, airfields, and industrial facilities.
Despite its capabilities, the Kh-55 long range and heavy payload mean the missile itself is relatively large and heavy, limiting the types of aircraft that can carry it. The missile is also quite complex, requiring sophisticated launch platforms and support systems. Due to its strategic nature, its use is subject to various international arms control agreements.
Additionally, while its low-altitude flight profile makes it hard to detect, it also makes the missile more vulnerable to various forms of terrain-based obstacles and interference. The missile is also relatively slow compared to ballistic missiles, making it potentially vulnerable to advanced air defense systems if detected.