At the Army-2022 forum, the company Tactical Missiles, part of the KTRV group, showcased the aviation high-precision cruise missile known as the X-69, reporting a range of 290 kilometers. The disclosure came via a Russian newspaper feature, highlighting what appeared to be a notable debut for the system.
The X-69 is described as visually distinct from many traditional air-to-surface missiles due to its square cross-section. This design choice is said to maximize payload capacity within the aircraft’s closed bays while also allowing for a more substantial warhead, potentially enhancing destructive power without enlarging the overall profile of the missile.
According to the developers, the X-69 is intended for use on a wide array of modern Russian multi-role fighters, including the Su-57, Su-75 Checkmate, Su-35, and MiG-35, provided they carry the necessary avionics to integrate the system. The implication is that the platform could be compatible with both current and upcoming airframes within Russia’s fleet, expanding the missile’s potential deployment options.
Meanwhile, reports from the United States referenced exercises that simulated Russian hypersonic missile strikes. In those simulations, the targets included a prominent stadium and other critical infrastructure, with participants numbering in the hundreds. The narrative suggested massed rehearsals across several metropolitan areas, underscoring strategic concerns and the adversarial posture described by military officials involved in the exercise. The assertions about civilian roles and the nature of the simulated attacks were part of a larger discussion on readiness and deterrence.
A separate American declaration highlighted the role of naval power in a future Russian maritime strategy. It noted the Admiral Gorshkov class Project 22350 frigates, envisioned to be equipped with hypersonic Zircon missiles, as anticipated core components of a modernized surface fleet. The emphasis was on how such weapon systems could redefine fleet management and strategic planners’ expectations for future operations.
Also discussed was the broader importance of high-precision aircraft weapons and autonomous guidance methods. The commentary pointed to ongoing research in autonomous navigation and targeting as pivotal to enabling mass employment of air-delivered munitions while maintaining safe standoff for the carrier platforms. The central theme remained that advances in guidance and control technologies could increase both the reach and reliability of long-range precision strikes, shaping doctrine and training across air forces worldwide.