X-35

Technical proposals for the creation of the Uran missile system with the Kh-35 anti-ship missile, for use as part of both the ship, helicopter and aircraft basing options, were developed at the Zvezda Design Bureau by the end of 1977 ^[3] .

The development of the Uran anti-ship missile system with the Kh-35 cruise missile for arming boats and ships of medium displacement was launched in accordance with the Resolution of the Central Committee of the CPSU and the Council of Ministers of the USSR and the Central Committee of the CPSU on April 16, 1984 (according to other data, the resolution was issued on March 16, 1983 ^[4] ). The head developer was determined by the Zvezda Design Bureau (currently part of the Tactical Missiles Corporation ), and the chief designer is G. I. Khokhlov . The development of the launcher was carried out by KBM in Moscow ^[5] .

Consideration of the draft design in 1983 revealed a discrepancy between the project of an active radar GPS and the requirements imposed on it. It took three years to eliminate the deficiencies; the first start-up of the prototype RCC was conducted on November 5, 1985 from a coastal position. A number of start-ups in 1986 were unsuccessful, and a number of systems had to be finalized. Only at the launch on January 29, 1987, all the missile systems worked fine. ^[four]

The GOS was completely ready for joint testing with the glider only by 1992. By this time, the Zvezda Design Bureau had completed the first stage of flight design tests (LCI) — 13 launches of the X-35 were completed in three years. However, since 1992, due to the financial problems of Russia, caused by the change of the state system and the winding up of the state defense order, work on the complex was practically stopped. Launching missiles carried out at the expense of enterprise resources. The second phase of the LKI was conducted from 1992 to 1997, during which time four launches of missiles were carried out. ^[four]

The change of the state system in the country brought not only financial problems, but at the same time expanded the possibilities of the company to work with foreign customers. The rocket and information on the complex displayed at the Mosaeroshow-92 aviation exhibition in Moscow aroused the interest of the specialists of the Indian Navy - in 1994 a contract was signed with India for the delivery of the Uran-E Aeronautical complex. The funds received allowed to develop mass production of missiles. The first deliveries to India were made in 1996-1997, and on December 15, 1996, the Uran-E complex was commissioned to the customer on the destroyer Delhi ( type "Delhi" ). ^[four]

In July 2003, the Uran ship missile system successfully passed state tests and began to enter into service with the ships of the Russian Navy . In the fall of 2004, state tests were carried out and the mobile coastal missile system "Ball" was adopted for the Russian Navy. ^[four]

In 2005, the missile tests were completed after adapting it to the aviation base version - for the Indian Il-38SD patrol aircraft, after which work began to incorporate the missile into the armament of the Sukhoi and MiG fighters . ^[four]

It is a cruise missile of a normal aerodynamic configuration. Cruciform wing folds down to reduce the size of the transport and launch container. For launching in ship, onshore and helicopter versions, a detachable solid propellant accelerator is used. After the required speed has been set, the turbojet begins. In the aviation version there is no need for an accelerator. The flight is carried out at altitudes of 10-15 meters under the control of an inertial control system, the target radar target ARGS-35 is captured at the final part of the trajectory, after which the height of the trajectory decreases to 3-5 meters, which, taking into account the near-sonic flight speed, complicates the interception of the missile by means of air defense goals

Glider

Homing Head

Active radar capable of operating in the conditions of electronic countermeasures. ^[6]

A missile is aimed at a target by an active radar homing head with a slit antenna array , ARGS-35 ^[7] , developed by Radar MMS ^[1] .

• Radar GOS ARGS-35
• Horizontal viewing angle, degrees from −45 to +45
• Vertical viewing angle, degrees from +10 to −20
• Range of action, up to 20 km
• Weight, kg 40-47,5
• Diameter, mm 420
• Length 700 mm
• Restrictions on the use of GOS:
  • precipitation, mm / s up to 4
  • sea ​​state, scores up to 6
  • temperature of use, from −50 ° C to +50 ° C

There is an option with a thermal homing head ^[1] .

Radio altimeter

For flight at mid-low altitudes above the sea, the X-35 missiles are equipped with an RVE radar altimeter consisting of a transceiver unit and two antennas . It allows with high accuracy (up to 1 meter) to determine the height of the flight of the rocket in the range from 1 to 5000 meters, even with its active maneuvering (± 15 ° in roll and ± 20 ° in pitch angle). The mass of the radio altimeter equipment is 4.5 kg, power is supplied from the onboard electrical network of the rocket, the power consumption is 20 W ^[8] .

Engine

The engine is started by a pyro cartridge. The fuel for the engine is jet fuel , located in the fuel tank around the air duct.

Warhead

The X-35 is equipped with a penetrating high-explosive fragmentation warhead, which is designed to destroy missile, torpedo, artillery boats, surface ships with a displacement of up to 5,000 tons and sea transports.

Aircraft modification

The aviation complex entered service with the Su-24 , Su-30 , MiG-29 , Su-35S , TU-142 aircraft

Helicopter modification

The helicopter version of the Kh-35 missiles is used on the Ka-27 , Ka-28 , Ka-52K .

Ship Modification

On surface ships, the Uran ship-borne missile complex, which consists of Kh-35 anti-ship missiles in transport-launch containers on launchers , ship - based automated control system and a complex of ground equipment with missile testing equipment, is used ^[9] . Small size and relatively low cost, combined with high combat capabilities, determine a very wide range of ships equipped with X-35 missiles: from light missile boats to destroyers . According to the manufacturer, almost any vessel (including civil) in the short term can be equipped with the Uran missile system. The ammunition of the ship can vary widely depending on the tasks and technical limitations.

In comparison with the aviation modification, in order to reduce the size of the WPC, the rocket wing is collapsible, and in the rear part there is also a starting solid-fuel accelerator. Missiles are housed in cylindrical transport and launch containers. It is possible to reuse the transport and launch container after the restoration work. To simplify mounting in the central part of the TPK there are frames of square section ^[9] .

The launcher is a 35 ° inclined to the deck , the guide fixedly fixed on the carrier, on which TPK with missiles are mounted in packages of 2-4 containers depending on the configuration of the carrier. The launcher is used for loading, storing and launching missiles, as well as reducing operational overloads, which is achieved by installing spring shock absorbers ^[9] .

The Kh-35 ship modification is part of the armament of the following ships:

• Missile boats projects:
  • 1241 "Lightning" ^[1]
  • 10411 "Firefly" ^[10]
  • 20970 "Katran" ^[9]
• Corvette Projects:
  • Patrol-patrol ship HQ-381 Project PS-500 ^[11] (?) (Vietnam)
  • 20380 "Watching"
  • MRK 1234EM Ovod-EM (Algeria)
  • 25 “Kurks” ^[12] (India)
  • 25A Kora ^[13] (India)
• Frigates ( patrol ships ) projects:
  • 11540 Hawk
  • 11541 "Corsair" ^[1]
  • 11661 "Cheetah"
  • 22460 “Ruby” - on serial ships the possibility of placing the complex is provided: a place is provided for the installation and connection of TPC.
  • 16 Godwary ^[12] (India)
  • 16A Brahmaputra ^[14] (India)
• Large anti-submarine ships projects:
  • 61 "Komsomol member of Ukraine" (modernized according to project 01090)
• Squadron destroyers projects:
  • 15 Delhi ^{[12] [15]} (India)

Land Modification

To control the coastal zone on the basis of the Kh-35 missile, a coastal missile system (DBK) " Ball " was created. BRK uses transport-launch containers with Kh-35E missiles similar to the ship variant. The presence of means of detection and control determines the high autonomy of the complex, and the placement on a high- wheel drive chassis provides high mobility and low vulnerability for high-precision long-range weapons .

The Ball DBK includes ^[16] :

• Command and control points and communications - up to 2 units.
• Launchers - up to 4 units.
• Transport and handling machines - up to 4 units.

All installations are mounted on the high-pass chassis of the MZKT-7930 Astrologer and have a high power reserve. In the standard composition, each launcher and transport-handling vehicle are equipped with 8 missiles in the TPC, so the whole complex has 32 missiles ready for launch and a total of 64 missiles.

The time of preparation for shooting BRK on an unprepared position from the march is not more than 10 minutes ^[16] . The target designation of the complex can be obtained from its own radar station, as well as from other sources - reconnaissance UAVs or over-the-horizon stations. Shooting "Bal-E" is possible as a single launch, and a volley , with an interval between missile launches of not more than 3 seconds. The maximum power of the volley is 32 missiles, which is enough to cause serious damage to any enemy ship group . The time needed to prepare the complex for a second salvo is about 30 minutes ^[17] .

"Bal-E" has a high potential for modernization: it considers the possibility of creating a lightweight and more mobile version, the possibility of installing additional electronic warfare tools and other ways of modernization ^[16] .

The Bal-E complex successfully passed state tests in the fall of 2004. Supplies of Bal-E are planned both to Russian troops and for export ^[17] .

Container Modification

In 2011, the container version of the complex was demonstrated at the IMDS-2011 exhibition. 4 missiles and control equipment were placed in a standard 20-foot container.

• X-35 (3M24) - RCC for coastal complexes and surface ships
  • Kh-35E (3M24E) - export version of the X-35
• The Kh-35U is a unified anti -ship missile for the Russian Navy , with a launch range of 260 km.
  • X-35UE - export version of the X-35U - unified. In 2009, a significantly revised version of the Kh-35 missile was introduced, which received the designation Kh-35UE. A new, half-sized turbofan engine was used , the design of the air channel was changed, which allowed to increase the fuel stock. These measures led to an increase in the maximum firing range of the rocket twice - to 260 km. The rocket used a new combined guidance system, which includes, in addition to the previously used inertial and active radar homing systems, also satellite navigation . The upgraded active-passive ^[6] radar homing head Gran-K ^[18] allows you to capture targets at a distance of 50 km, as opposed to 20 km from the base variant ^[19] . Status (as of August 17, 2011): being tested ^[20] The turning range has reached 130 °. It has shipborne, helicopter, coastal and aircraft based. The altitude of 10 - 15 meters on the main line and 3 - 4 when reaching the target. Warhead weight 145 kg. ^[21]
• X-35V - PKR for helicopters
• Kh-35EV - an export version of the RCC, adapted to the conditions of operation in Vietnam, for the Uran-EV ship-borne missile system, the work of which is carried out by the KTRV corporation in the interests of the Vietnamese armed forces ^[22]
• 3M-24EMB - training versions of missiles shipped to Vietnam ^[22]

In parentheses are the characteristics of the X-35UE.

• Length, m:
  • ship / coast / helicopter-based: 4.4
  • Aircraft-based: 3.85
• Wingspan, m: (1.33)
• The diameter of the rocket, m: 0.42
• Starting weight, kg:
  • ship / coastal: 600 (670)
  • helicopter-based: 610 (650)
  • aircraft based: 520 (550)
• Engine: TRD
• Fuel: jet fuel
• Guidance System: Active Radar GOS ( SINS + CH + APRLGSN )
• Warhead: penetrating high-explosive fragmentation
• Warhead weight, kg: 145
• Starting range, km: up to 130 (X-35), up to 260 (X-35U). ^[23]
• Flight altitude, m:
  • on the main stage: 10-15
  • at the end: 3-4
• Flight speed: 0.8-0.85 M ^{[ clear ]}

Application tactics

•   Russia - the country of origin; For 2009-2010, 112 X-35 anti-ship missiles were supplied ^[2] . The complexes are in service:
  •   VKS RF
  •   Russian Navy
•   Индия , комплексы стоят на вооружении:
  •   ВМС Индии — в период с 2000 по 2007 годы поставлено 222 ракеты ^[24]
•   Алжир
•   Вьетнам — поставки первых 16 противокорабельных ракет Х-35 во Вьетнам начались в 1999 году для вооружения переданных ранее 4 ракетных катеров проекта 1241 вместо устаревшего комплекса «Термит» . Всего на сумму 70 млн долларов планировалось приобрести от 32 до 48 таких ракет. В дальнейшем Вьетнам заказывал в 2007 и 2013 по 2 корабля, фрегаты проекта 11661Э , оснащенные 2×4 ПУ «Уран» . Также в 2009 году поставлено ещё 17 ракет Х-35Э, а в 2010 — 16 ракет и 8 учебных ракет 3М-24ЭМБ ^[22]
•   Туркмения — по данным годового отчёта корпорации «КТРВ» за 2010 год заключён контракт (2008 год) и готовились документы для поставки Туркменистану ракет Х-35Э в 2011—2012 году на сумму около 80 млн долларов США ^[22] ($ 79 800 000). Первая партия заказа была поставлена в 2011 — 2012 годах. ВС Туркмении на 2014 год дополнительно заказал этого вооружения примерно на сумму $ 40 000 000.
•   Венесуэла — поставлено 2 комплекса (8 СПУ) «Бал-Э» ^[25] .

Вероятные пользователи

•   North Korea - a copy of the X-35, in service with the DPRK Navy ^{[26] [27]} .
•   Myanmar - the North Korean version, as part of the corvettes of weapons.

Benefits

The main advantages of the Kh-35 missile include: a combined trajectory with a low-altitude section of an air defense breakthrough, small dimensions and weight of the product, a relatively powerful warhead, a jam-proof combined autonomous homing system , the possibility of volley fire , great potential for modernization ^[28] .

The X-35 is a cheap and mass-produced rocket. The rocket is also universal. “Uranus” is used in “Bal” coastal missile systems; Su-34 , Mig-29, Su-30, Su-35 aircraft can use the rocket. Also, the missile is capable of using corvettes of Project 20380, nuclear submarines of Project 885 Yasen / M, deck helicopters Ka-52 K Katran, etc. ^{[29] [30]} . All this makes it easy to deploy missiles on completely different carriers. Despite the fact that any anti-ship missile is a very complex technique, compared with the P-800 Onyx, Caliber, Zircon, the X-35 design is much simpler, which allows it to be mass produced ^[31] .

Small mass-dimensional characteristics of the rocket provide several advantages, including: a small EPR , the ability to place large ammunition on the carrier, as well as the convenience of transporting TPC with rockets. A small missile EPR determines the short range of the detection and acquisition of a target by radar tools , while the small dimensions determine similar limitations for optical radar stations. Due to the small mass of the missile defense complex with a rocket, even on small carriers, it is possible to place a large ammunition, and thus small detachments can provide a high volley density. Recharging these missiles is much easier than the heavier anti-ship missiles .

The combined flight trajectory provides a longer range than when using extremely low-altitude flight, and at the stage of the enemy's air defense breakthrough, low-altitude flight creates difficulties in intercepting an attacking missile both in terms of detection and in terms of fire damage. The possibility of salvo firing allows you to create a greater density of impact at the stage of an air defense breakthrough, which increases the likelihood of some missiles to pass even through the most sophisticated anti-missile systems of the enemy. The target selection system ensures that all X-35 missiles in one salvo do not select one target for attack in the enemy’s ship group .

The combined jam-proof autonomous homing system , including inertial guidance and a radar or thermal imaging homing head , allows the X-35 to be fired at the enemy even outside the radio horizon , which reduces the danger for the carrier, increases the allowable maximum range (which is determined only by fuel and engine efficiency ), and also provides launching of rockets, secretive for the enemy. The use of a noise-free homing head reduces the effectiveness of the enemy's electronic warfare and increases the probability of hitting the target.

Relatively heavy armor-piercing high-explosive warhead allows you to hit surface targets with a displacement of up to 5,000 tons, so these missiles can destroy surface ships in a class up to destroyers of the destroyers ^[28] .

Great opportunities for upgrading the X-35 can significantly increase its capabilities without a radical change in design. In particular, the use of a more efficient engine or a more energy-consuming fuel will significantly increase the flight distance ^[28] .

Disadvantages

The main disadvantages of the X-35 include the narrow specialization of the rocket as anti-ship , subsonic speed at the air defense breakthrough area and the range requiring the carrier to enter the long-range air defense system of flagship ships (if typical targets are part of the group) or coastal air defense ^[28] .

Narrow specialization of the missile as anti-shipping does not allow it to hit ground targets ^[28] , although the range and warhead of the X-35 would allow to effectively solve such tasks. This determines the need to increase the composition of the weapons of carriers.

The subsonic speed of the rocket increases the likelihood of its interception by the antimissile defense of the enemy's ship grouping ^[28] .

Comparison with peers

Small subsonic anti-ship missiles are in demand as an effective and relatively inexpensive means of dealing with surface targets. Due to the similarity of the tasks being solved, the majority of such missiles have a virtually identical layout, dimensions, characteristics and appearance. Most of these missiles are created according to the normal aerodynamic scheme with a cruciform wing, use highly economical turbofan engines as a cruising engine, and are aimed at the target in a combined way (inertial guidance at the cruising stage and active radar or thermal imaging homing at the final segment).

Below is a summary table for the closest analogues of the X-35. The information is given according to the "Information System" Missile Technology "" ^{[32] [33] [34]} and " Aviation Encyclopedia" Sky Corner " " ^{[35] [36]}

The following abbreviations are used in the table:
Type of guidance system: “INS” - inertial navigation system, “SP” - satellite navigation system, “ARL” - active radar homing , “A (P) RL” - active and passive radar homing, “IK” - infrared homing
Type of carrier (launcher placement): “Sam” - aircraft, “Ver” - helicopter, “NK” - surface ship, “PL” - submarine, “NPU” - ground mobile launcher (car)

The first small - sized anti-ship missile , in fact, gave rise to this class of weapons, is considered the French rocket " Exochet ." It embodied the constructive solutions inherent in the majority of small-sized anti-ship missiles - the normal layout with a cruciform wing, autonomous active homing and the use of a radio altimeter. The first modifications of the Exocet were equipped with a solid-propellant rocket engine , which limited its flight range. In later versions, the French designers switched to using the turbofan power plant , the standard weapon for this class. The successful experience of the combat use of these weapons proved its high efficiency. "Exochet" is one of the most common in the world of anti-ship missiles and is in demand in the arms market.

The closest analogue to the X-35 is usually called the American “Harpoon” (“Harpoon”) rocket , which was developed around the same period as the X-35, which was put into service in 1980 . The identity of the tasks to be solved determined the same approaches to solving them ^[7] , which each country has implemented using its own developments in the field of engine building, rocket technologies and radio electronics.

According to the characteristics of the X-35 and "Harpoon" are very close: both missiles have a comparable range; The X-35 is somewhat lighter, but the Harpoon carries a heavier warhead. The cost of the missiles is also close and only slightly lower in the Russian version. Despite the significant similarity between the characteristics of the Kh-35 and the Harpoon missiles, the differences between them are clearly visible both in appearance and in layout. Thus, the X-35 electronic equipment autopilot placed behind the warhead, and the "Harpoon" - in front; different design of the wing and air channel. The main functional difference of these missiles is called the more advanced in terms of noise immunity of the GOS in the X-35 missile ^[37] . Some publications reported on the possible purchase of ARGN-35 by Americans for installation on the Harpoons ^[37] .

• Anti-ship cruise missile X-35 Information system "Missile technology"
• Kh-35E tactical anti-ship missile
• Kh-35 Anti-ship cruise missile of the Star Design Bureau
• Video from the state tests of the coastal missile complex "Ball" Youtube
• Video: Su-30SM destroyed the frigate with the Kh-35 rocket off the coast of Syria Rossiyskaya Gazeta , April 25, 2018