The Kh-35 is a medium-range, anti-ship missile employed by the Russian, North Korean, Indian, and Venezuelan navies. It was designed and developed by the Soviet Union between 1983 and 1990. It entered mass production in Russia in 2003. The main variant is the Kh-35U, which can be launched from aircraft and from a surface naval vessel. This version is used exclusively by the Russian Navy since 2015.
The Kh-35 was designed by the Soviet State-run company Zvezda-Strela; now it is a private company called Tactical Missile Corporation. It was especially conceived to sink large warships, such as cruisers, aircraft carriers, as well as landing ships and transport vessels of all size. Although it features a powerful warhead, the missile flies only at subsonic speed (Mach 0.8 and Mach 0.9), which is a disadvantage in today's modern world of warfare. It can be launched from Sukhoi Su-30SM, Su-34, Mikoyan MiG-29, and Su-24 combat aircraft as well as from cruisers, corvettes, and mobile coastal launching system.
Specifications
Type: Medium-range, subsonic anti-ship missile
Length: 3.85 m
Diameter: 0.44 m (44 cm)
Weight: 610 kg
Warhead: High Explosion (HE) fragmentation, shaped charge.
Engine: R95TP-300 turbofan, which uses kerosene.
Maximum Range: 300 km
Guidance System: Inertial guidance and active radar homing.
Stabilizers: two sets of four fins (total of eight).
Below, the Kh-35U in the manufacturer exhibition hall.
