Our Answer to Tomahawk: How the Novator Design Bureau Created the Kalibr Cruise Missile

The Kalibr missile system has become a true symbol of the new era of Russian weapons. "Pervyi Tekhnicheskiy" tells the story of how the system was created, capable of hitting targets at a range of thousands of kilometers with pinpoint accuracy.

A Long Road

Work began at the Novator Design Bureau in the Sverdlovsk region, where back in the 1980s, they began thinking about creating a new universal weapon for the fleet - an analogue of the American Tomahawk, but with application flexibility and a completely domestic architecture.

The main idea was modularity: one missile body and launch container could be used in different versions - anti-ship, against ground targets, and even for firing from submarines.

Versatility is Key

This approach allowed integrating Kalibr on most carriers - from small missile ships and corvettes to submarines of Project 636.3.

As a result, Novator engineers created a unique guidance system: a combination of inertial, satellite, and radar correction ensured high accuracy even at ranges exceeding 2000 km. The combined engine with a turbojet sustainer stage and a solid-propellant booster makes the flight stable and inconspicuous to enemy air defense systems.

First Test and Wow Effect

Kalibrs first entered service during the Syrian campaign in 2015. Then, the launch from the Caspian Sea had the effect of a bombshell: the missiles traveled thousands of kilometers and hit the designated targets with an accuracy of several meters.

Since then, Kalibr has been constantly improved: new electronic systems are being introduced, the range is being increased, and variants for land platforms are being created.

Retired Colonel Anatoly Matviychuk explained that the latest generation Kalibr missile is capable of carryinga warhead of several types - concrete-piercing, cumulative, or high-explosive fragmentation warheads.

The creation of Kalibr was the result of decades of engineering research and the persistence of domestic designers. It has proven that even under technological pressure, Russia is capable of developing world-class weapons - accurate, reliable, and versatile.

Some Characteristics

The main feature of Kalibrs is speed, namely: 180 - 240 m/s. Also, the fact that the missile travels at low altitudes and can actually maneuver taking into account the terrain. This reduces the effectiveness of any air defense.

The exact characteristics and data on the flight range of these missiles are classified. But open sources report that the range for sea targets reaches 375 km, and for ground targets - 2.5 thousand km.

Regarding the price of the missile - the information is contradictory, however, experts note that the average cost of one is approximately 6.5 million dollars.

Earlierwww1.ru reported thatthe new North Korean Hwasong-11Ma system suspiciously resembles the Iskander-M.

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