Hypersonic Russian Su-34 bomber uses "Kinzhal" missile for the first time

Previously, only the MiG-31K was used to launch "Kinzhal" missiles

A TASS source in the Russian military department reported that the multifunctional supersonic fighter-bomber Su-34 used the hypersonic missile "Kinzhal" (Kh-47M2) for the first time.

Despite the fact that "Kinzhal" has been on experimental combat duty in the Russian Air Force since December 2017, until recently only the MiG-31K was used to launch the missile. It was reported that Tu-22M3 strategic bombers and Su-34 fighter-bombers would be equipped for "Kinzhal", and now, apparently, the Su-34 is fully compatible with the new weapons.

The exact characteristics of "Kinzhal" are classified, but in his speech to the Federal Assembly in 2018, Vladimir Putin said that the missile's speed is 10 times the speed of sound, and the range is more than 2 thousand km. The peculiarity of "Kinzhal" is that it maneuvers in all sections of the trajectory, which allows it to overcome air defense systems. The mass of the warhead of the missile is 500 kg.

Military Watch magazine has already commented on the news about the use of "Kinzhal" by the Su-34 aircraft.

The integration of "Kinzhal" on the Su-34 will have significant consequences in all theaters where these aircraft are deployed – from the Arctic and the Far East to Ukraine and Syria.
Military Watch

The magazine noted that the Su-34 is the longest-range tactical combat aircraft in service worldwide. In addition, unlike the MiG-31, it is less demanding in terms of maintenance and has lower operating costs.

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