Bypasses Air Defense and Hits Target Deep Behind Enemy Lines: The Wide Capabilities of the Kh-101 Cruise Missile for the Tu-95MS Aircraft

The Aerospace Forces (VKS) of Russia have begun using Kh-101 cruise missiles with a dual warhead. The munition effectively hits designated targets even deep behind enemy lines.

In addition to the high-explosive fragmentation warhead, the modernized missile is equipped with a cluster warhead, which increased the missile's area of effect. At the same time, the total weight of the Kh-101 warhead increased from 450 to 800 kg.

However, this increase in the warhead affected the range of the missile, which could initially fly up to 5500 km. But even a range of about 3000 km is enough for aircraft to hit targets without entering the zone of enemy air defense systems, noted military expert Alexei Leonkov.

Kh-101 missiles can only be shot down by anti-missiles with infrared homing heads. At the same time, the installation of heat traps almost completely eliminates this possibility.

The carriers of the Kh-101 are Tu-95MS strategic missile carriers. The aircraft can carry eight cruise missiles.

The missile uses a combined guidance system — an inertial system and optoelectronic correction. The probable deviation from the target when launching at any range, including the maximum, does not exceed five to seven meters.

Tactical and technical characteristics of the Kh-101 missile:

• Maximum speed — 250-270 m/s

• Launch weight — 2240-2400 kg

• Length — 7.45 m

• Possibility of changing the target in flight

Earlier www1.ru reported that a way has been found to make the Su-34 fighter use Kinzhal missiles.

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