The range of the Kh-31 supersonic tactical air-to-surface guided missile (according to the NATO code – AS-17 Krypton, “Krypton”) is 60 km, with some modifications – 150 km. Thus, the fighter cannot enter the zone of destruction of enemy air defense systems.
According to TASS, such missiles were used by Su-30SM naval aviation fighters of the Black Sea Fleet. The agency states that it is possible for them to be used by Su-35S fighters as well. This missile is universal and can be used against both surface ships and land targets.
“The Kh-31 missile is quite well known and has been in service with Russian aviation for more than thirty years. And if earlier its potential was known only very theoretically, then according to the declared factory characteristics, which meant Mach 2 speed and high maneuverability to overcome air defense systems, now Krypton, as the Americans call it, showed a high level of real capabilities. Precise destruction of ground targets, military expert Vladislav Shurygin told socialbites.ca.
The specialist added that one of the main features of the Kh-31 is that it is equipped with a combined ramjet engine. Moreover, this is the world’s first rocket with such an engine.
“This gives it the opportunity to achieve supersonic speed and maneuver at extremely low altitudes, bypassing enemy air defense systems. This requires a sufficiently large fuel supply at launch and on the main flight path, but sufficient to guarantee the launch of the missile to the target and bypass electronic countermeasures. ”
Shurygin summed up.
The warhead of the X-31 missile is relatively small, but this is enough to disable the enemy radar. In the anti-ship version, the X-31 with a more powerful charge can neutralize a ship such as a corvette or frigate and liquidate a destroyer during a massive bombardment.
“Actually, every missile, except air defense systems, can be used against both sea and land targets. The main thing is that the target is in sight and the exact coordinates of its defeat are determined. There are no problems with the use of the Kh-31 missile, it is air-based and delivered to the launch site in any area. Here, the range to the target and the safety of the aircraft crew are more important. It can be assumed that a combined version of the attack was used when the first attack disabled the radar systems and the next attack defeated the military infrastructure facilities as it approached. Destroying the radar is a mission for the X-31 only. His “narrow” specialization, a military specialist, 1st Rank in the reserve Captain Vasily Dandykin told socialbites.ca.
“The main effect is that due to operation at ultra-low altitudes, it is almost impossible to intercept a missile when launched from an aircraft carrier. Retired Air Force Major General Dmitry Istrin says he “fell” out of the plane and hit the ground while attacking.
The general recalled that it was previously stated in open sources that the X-31 anti-radar missile launched from the Su-34 fighter hit the Georgian radar station near the city of Gori in 2008. After that, Krypton was only known during its use on surface targets during naval exercises.
“The Ukrainian side puts forward the assumption that the Russian Armed Forces has run out of ammunition, and therefore says that the Russian army will use anti-ship missiles in special operations. In Kiev they laugh at Russian Krypton missiles. It’s not funny and here’s why. Stocks of “Caliber”, “Daggers”, “Pioneers” abound in the arsenal of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. The use of Kh-31 missiles is due to precise hits of targets located in the immediate vicinity of the line of contact with the enemy, when it is necessary to break through tactical air defense and missile defense. This, in my opinion, is only evidence of an imminent attack. Let’s see if that’s true,” the general concluded.
Source: Gazeta
