The Russian air-launched cruise missile Kh-101, used by Tu-160 bombers, has undergone at least four stages of modernization since 2022. This was reported by the Telegram channel "Russkoye Oruzhiye" citing foreign sources.
According to published data, the missile received an enhanced tandem warhead weighing approximately 800–900 kg. The possibility of using cluster munitions is also being considered.
One of the key areas of modernization was to increase resistance to air defense systems. For this purpose, the Kh-101 was equipped with active countermeasures, including dipole reflectors and infrared traps.
In addition, the missile was modernized in terms of guidance and flight control. The use of an updated optoelectronic correlation module, radio altimeter, and GLONASS/GPS signal correction system is reported.
Read more on the topic:
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- Footage of the X-101 strategic missile flight for Tu-160 and Tu-95MS appears