Kh-90 GELA ASW exists? [Archive]

Venik

August 22nd 04, 05:17 PM

EY wrote:

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> Does Kh90 exists?
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Here's some infor about Kh-90 from Jane's Strategic Weapon Systems,
Sept. 2002:

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"AS-X-19 `Koala' (Kh-90/BL10)
Type

Intermediate-range, air-launched, turbojet-powered, single-warhead
cruise missile.

Development

The existence of the AS-X-19 `Koala' had been reported by the US
Department of Defense (DoD) in 1986, but was confirmed by the Russians
in 1988, when the US Secretary of Defense was shown around a Tu-160
`Blackjack' bomber at an airbase near Moscow. The AS-X-19 was believed
to have the Russian designator Kh-90 or BL10, and was reported to be a
high-altitude supersonic cruise missile with air-launched, ship-launched
and ground-launched versions, developed from 1976 and believed to have
started flight trials in 1980. The AS-X-19 must therefore be considered
as equivalent to the US AGM-129 advanced cruise missile programme,
though probably several years behind. The programme was terminated in
1992, and it is reported that there were in excess of twenty flight
trials. It is believed that AS-X-19 was a dual design for the Russian
Air Force and Russian Navy, similar to the AS-15/SS-N-21 programme, with
the SS-NX-24 `Scorpion' (P-750 Grom) variant to be launched from
submarines. The AS-X-19 was expected to be cleared for carriage by Tu-95
`Bear-H' and Tu-160 `Blackjack' aircraft although it was reported that
the Tu-95 could only carry two missiles. It is believed that Raduga NPO
used the AS-X-19 design as a hypersonic test vehicle, known as GELA, and
this has been used for research since 1994. In 1998, it was reported
that the AS-X-19, or a lower cost variant, had been redesigned and might
still be put into production for the Russian Air Force.

Description

From reports in 1996, it appears that the AS-X-19 had two delta canard
foreplanes at the nose, delta fins and tailplanes at the rear body and a
long pointed slender nose. It is believed that the AS-X-19 was 10.5 m
long, had a body diameter of 1.2 m and a wing span of 4.5 m. The larger
delta-wings fold for aircraft carriage, and there was a vertical folding
tail fin. The missile weight was 2,800 kg, and it was ramjet powered.
The ramjet inlet was circular with a conical centrebody, and then a long
slender nose section was shaped from the upper half of the body.
Conventional flight control elevators and rudders were mounted on the
wings and fin. It is believed that the AS-X-19 could cruise at altitudes
between 7 and 20 km at M4.5, and then made a steep dive onto the target.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that the missile had two independently
targeted warheads, capable of attacking separate targets 100 km apart.
It is assumed that these warheads were to have been nuclear, but that
any redesigned missile would have an HE warhead. The maximum range of
AS-X-19 is reported to have been 3,000 km.

Operational status

The AS-X-19 was in development and some 20 or more flight tests had been
made by1992, when Russia indicated that the programme would be
terminated. There are, however, indications that this AS-X-19 design has
been retained, with the GELA hypersonic research vehicle, and that
smaller missiles with turbojet or ramjet engines are being developed as
possible lower cost replacements.

Specifications

Length: 10.5 m
Body diameter: 1.2 m
Launch weight: 2,800 kg
Payload: 450 kg
Warhead: Nuclear or HE
Guidance: Inertial
Propulsion: Ramjet
Range: 3,000 km
Accuracy: n/k

Contractor

It is believed that the AS-X-19 `Koala' missile was designed by the
Chelomei and Raduga NPO design bureau. "

--
Regards,

Venik

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