The Kh-22 'Storm' is a Russian hypersonic anti-ship missile launched from the T-22M and Tu-95K bombers. Formerly known as the AS-4 'Kitchen' in the West, it was designed and developed in the 1960s by the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Although it had entered service in 1972, this powerful missile has been upgraded a few times. Thus, today, it can fly at the maximum speed of Mach 4.7 (5,700 km/h). It has also been further developed into the Kh-32 by MKB Raduga aerospace company.
With a weight of 5,800 kg, the Kh-22 is a large and lethal missile, which is fitted with a 1,000-kg warhead. Its airframe consists of a cylindrical body, with short-span delta wings It was specially conceived to destroy and sink huge and massive warships, such as aircraft carriers, battleships, and heavy cruisers. It can also be fitted with a thermonuclear warhead. The Kh-22M and Kh-22MA are the latest upgraded variants of the missile.
During the Cold War, the Kh-22 was called 'Kitchen' by NATO. However, little was known about it. The CIA knew such missile existed but they could have never imagined that it was so fast and with such a long range. This is clear evidence that the Soviet Union, and later Russia, was much advanced and capable at developing anti-ship or land-attack guided missiles. Up until the late 1990s, the Kh-22 was known as the AS-4 'Kitchen' in the West.
Specification
Type: hypersonic, long-range, anti-ship missile
Launching Platform: T-22, Tu-22M, Tu-95K bombers
Length: 11.3 m (37 ft)
Diameter: 92 cm (3 ft)
Weight: 5,820 kg
Engine: R-201 liquid-fueled rocket.
Maximum Speed: Mach 4.7
Cruise Speed: Mach 3
Guidance System: Inertial guidance/active radar homing
Below, the Kh-22 missile on the tarmac of a Russian airbase.
Kh-22 Storm under the wing of a Tupolev Tu-22M