In response to Protection Specific, Ukrainian forces have reportedly downed a Russian Kh-101 cruise missile outfitted with a cluster warhead for the primary time. This came about on the evening of June 7, throughout which a Tu-95MS bomber launched 5 Kh-101/Kh-555 cruise missiles. Remarkably, the Ukrainian Air Power confirmed that each one missiles have been intercepted and neutralized.
Sharing insights on his weblog “Colonel GSH,” an officer from the Armed Forces mentioned the takedown of the Kh-101 cruise missile with a cluster warhead. He famous, “On this model of the 101, the primary warhead remained high-explosive whereas the second transitioned to a cluster warhead.” Probably, such modified missiles are primarily geared toward attacking airfields.
At present, the frequency with which Russia deploys these missiles in Ukraine stays unclear. Moreover, particulars on the manufacturing distribution of assorted warhead sorts will not be available. Nevertheless, as of March, it’s recognized that Russia started producing Kh-101 with twin warheads. Beforehand, Russian sources talked about that the Kh-101’s warhead capability elevated to 800 kilograms, albeit at the price of decreased vary.
Downed Kh-101 in Could
In Could, the Ukrainian useful resource Protection Specific reported a noteworthy occasion in the course of the Could 8 assaults: a Russian X-101 cruise missile was intercepted. Intriguingly, the serial quantity revealed this missile had simply been manufactured within the second quarter of 2024, highlighting its recent deployment in opposition to Ukraine.
The Kh-101 collection has an attention grabbing function – a twin warhead configuration. Not like the everyday 450-kilogram warhead, this missile carries an extra 350-kilogram warhead, summing as much as 800 kilograms. Curiously, there’s no data indicating the presence of a cluster warhead among the many two. The utilization of Russian cruise missiles with this dual-warhead setup in strikes in opposition to Ukraine was first famous in late March 2024, hinting at developments inside the Russian military-industrial advanced.
Present proof signifies that Russia completed the twin warhead functionality of the Kh-101 by minimizing the scale of the gasoline tank. Nevertheless, this modification leads to a decreased flight vary, curbing it from about 5,500 kilometers to roughly 2,250 kilometers.
The indicators in January
In January 2024, throughout a go to to the “Raduga” missile design bureau, Sergei Shoigu, the pinnacle of the Russian Ministry of Protection, first talked about a brand new milestone: the twin warhead idea has now develop into a actuality. This improvement has undoubtedly sparked issues about its implications for ongoing conflicts.
Alarmingly, the brand new warhead incorporates pre-made damaging elements in a cubic form. Usually present in anti-aircraft missiles, these elements now pose a fair greater menace to floor targets.
Again in mid-2022, Russian sources floated the thought of the Kh-101 missile housing twin warheads, suggesting the opportunity of splitting its 400 kg warhead into two separate sections. Nevertheless, the specifics of the discharge mechanism within the upgraded model nonetheless stay below wraps.
Russian Kh-101
The latest enhancement of twin warheads within the Kh-101 showcases Russia’s ongoing efforts to modernize its navy arsenal. This improvement surfaced after a December 2022 occasion the place a Russian Kh-101 air-launched cruise missile was seen deploying decoy flares throughout its flight.
Again then, consultants believed that the flares have been designed to launch at particular coordinates, most likely in the direction of the tip of the missile’s journey or the place threats have been anticipated alongside its path. Important upgrades within the Kh-101’s steerage system have additionally been famous, notably in its optical and digital elements.
The up to date Kh-101 now options three fastened lenses, a considerable increase in accuracy in comparison with its predecessor, which had only one lens on a rotating platform with restricted tilt angles. Each the Kh-101 and its nuclear variant, the Kh-102, mark a substantial enchancment over the Kh-55/Kh-555 collection, incorporating stealth options and different developments.
Used for the primary time in 2015
The Kh-102 missile, able to carrying a 20-kiloton nuclear warhead, is a key nuclear-armed cruise missile for Russia. It has an extended vary than the US AGM-158 JASSM cruise missile. Upgraded strategic bombers just like the Tu-160M and Tu-95MSM, can carry the Kh-101 missile. This missile can have various kinds of warheads, reminiscent of excessive explosive, penetration excessive explosive, and submunitions. It encompasses a particular R95TM-300 turbojet engine that extends from the physique and unfolds for in-flight changes.
Russia claims the Kh-101 can precisely hit shifting targets inside 10 meters, normally inside 7 meters, at distances as much as 5,500 kilometers. It’s made by the Raduga Design Bureau and consists solely of Russian-made elements.
The Kh-101 was first utilized in fight in November 2015 throughout Russia’s involvement within the Syrian civil struggle. Whereas lots of the preliminary strikes have been on course, one missile reportedly landed in Iran close to town of Shush, about 750 kilometers from the Syrian border.
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