S-71K "Kovyor" Destroys HIMARS for the First Time - Confirmed Use of the Latest Cruise Missile

The latest tactical cruise missile S-71K "Kovyor" has demonstrated its effectiveness for the first time, successfully destroying a highly mobile M142 HIMARS multiple launch rocket system. The development belongs to JSC " ГосМКБ „Радуга“" and is intended for use with multifunctional fighters of the "4++" generation, including Su-35S, Su-30SM/SM2, as well as Su-34NVO fighter-bombers.

According to available data, the S-71K is capable of reaching speeds of up to 0.75–0.8 Mach, flying at low altitude, and covering distances of up to 350 km. The effective reflecting surface (ERS) of the missile is only about 0.03 m², which significantly complicates its detection by radar air defense systems.

The S-71K guidance system is based on an inertial navigation system corrected by GLONASS and GPS signals, supplemented by artificial intelligence, a thermal imaging correlation sensor, and a homing head with a thermal imaging channel. It is also assumed that there is a command-telemetry communication channel providing the possibility of trajectory correction en route.

There is another modification of this missile — S-71M "Monokhrom" — with a square cross-section fuselage, specially designed for placement in the internal weapons bays of the advanced fifth-generation Su-57 fighter.

This case is the first documented use of the S-71K against a target of this type, which indicates the missile's entry into a new stage of combat operation and demonstrates its high efficiency in real conditions.

Earlier, www1.ru reported that Russia is increasing air defense against HIMARS and Storm Shadow.

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