Missile AS-17 Krypton / Kh-31
Summary
| Category | Air-to-Surface Missile |
| Sub-type | Air-to-surface missile |
| Origin country | 🇷🇺 Russia 🇨🇳 Ex-USSR |
Technical specifications
| AS-17 Krypton / Kh-31 | |
|---|---|
| Warhead | High Explosive |
| Warhead Weight | 94 kg |
| Diameter | 360 mm (14.2 in) |
| Span | 914 mm (36.0 in) |
| Length | 5300 mm (208.7 in) |
| Weight | 610 kg (1345 lb) |
| Range | 70 km (43 mi) |
| Max Speed | Mach 3.5 |
Description
The AS-17 Krypton, known by its Russian designation Kh-31, is an air-to-surface and anti-radiation missile developed by the Soviet Union. The missile has dual roles; it can function as an anti-ship missile as well as an anti-radar missile for Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) missions. The Kh-31 is often carried by a variety of aircraft, including the Su-27, Su-30, MiG-29, and MiG-31.
The missile uses a solid rocket booster for initial acceleration and a ramjet engine for sustained cruise, allowing it to reach supersonic speeds. This makes it challenging to intercept and allows it to cover distances up to around 110 kilometers, depending on the variant and mission profile.
For guidance, anti-ship variants of the Kh-31 typically employ active radar homing, enabling them to autonomously locate and lock onto targets. Anti-radar or SEAD variants use passive radar homing to find and home in on enemy radar emitters. Both variants are capable of high precision, making them effective for striking both naval and land-based targets.
However, the Kh-31 has its limitations. Its relatively large size and weight mean that fewer missiles can be carried by the launching aircraft, impacting payload options. While its supersonic speed is an advantage, it also means the missile consumes fuel quickly, somewhat limiting its range. Additionally, the missile's effectiveness can be compromised if the enemy radar systems are turned off or employ frequency-hopping, particularly for the anti-radar variant.
In summary, the AS-17 Krypton (Kh-31) is a versatile, supersonic air-to-surface missile capable of anti-ship and SEAD roles. It offers high speed and accuracy but is limited by its size, weight, and some specific operational constraints.