Kh-15
title: "Kh-15" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["anti-radiation-missiles-of-the-soviet-union", "cold-war-air-to-surface-missiles-of-the-soviet-union", "cold-war-anti-ship-missiles-of-the-soviet-union", "air-launched-ballistic-missiles", "air-to-surface-missiles-of-the-soviet-union", "anti-ship-missiles-of-the-soviet-union", "mkb-raduga-products", "nuclear-air-to-surface-missiles", "military-equipment-introduced-in-the-1980s"] topic_path: "history/military" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kh-15" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::data[format=table title="Infobox weapon"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| is_missile | yes |
| name | Raduga Kh-15 |
| (NATO reporting name: AS-16 'Kickback') | |
| image | AS-16 Kickback 2008 G1.jpg |
| image_size | 300 |
| caption | Raduga Kh-15 |
| origin | Soviet Union |
| type | Air-launched ballistic missile |
| Air-to-ground missile | |
| Anti-radiation missile (Kh-15P) | |
| Anti-ship missile (Kh-15S) | |
| used_by | Russia |
| designer | Raduga |
| design_date | 1974–1980 |
| manufacturer | Dubna Machine-building Plant |
| production_date | 1980 |
| service | 1980 |
| engine | solid-fuel RDTT-160 |
| weight | 1200 kg |
| length | 478 cm |
| diameter | 45.5 cm |
| wingspan | 92 cm maximum |
| speed | Up to Mach 5 |
| vehicle_range | 300 km |
| ceiling | 40,000 m (130,000 ft) |
| filling | conventional or nuclear |
| filling_weight | 150 kg |
| yield | 300 kt |
| guidance | inertial guidance, active radar homing, or anti-radiation missile |
| launch_platform | Tu-22M3, |
| :: |
| is_missile = yes | name = Raduga Kh-15 (NATO reporting name: AS-16 'Kickback') | image = AS-16 Kickback 2008 G1.jpg | image_size = 300 | caption = Raduga Kh-15 | origin = Soviet Union | type = Air-launched ballistic missile Air-to-ground missile Anti-radiation missile (Kh-15P) Anti-ship missile (Kh-15S) | used_by = Russia | wars = | designer = Raduga | design_date = 1974–1980 | manufacturer = Dubna Machine-building Plant | unit_cost = | propellant = | production_date = 1980 | service = 1980 | engine = solid-fuel RDTT-160 | engine_power = | weight = 1200 kg | length = 478 cm | height = | diameter = 45.5 cm | wingspan = 92 cm maximum | speed = Up to Mach 5 | vehicle_range = 300 km | ceiling = 40,000 m (130,000 ft) | altitude = | filling = conventional or nuclear | filling_weight = 150 kg | detonation = | yield = 300 kt | guidance = inertial guidance, active radar homing, or anti-radiation missile | launch_platform = Tu-22M3,
The Raduga Kh-15 or RKV-15 (; NATO: AS-16 "Kickback") is a Soviet hypersonic aero-ballistic air-to-ground missile carried by the Tupolev Tu-22M and other bombers. Originally developed as a standoff nuclear air-to-ground missile similar to the U.S. Air Force's AGM-69 SRAM, versions with conventional warheads have been developed.
As of early 2019, it was uncertain whether the Kh-15 was in service, with rumors that it had been retired or placed in storage.
Development
In 1967, MKB Raduga started developing the Kh-2000 as a replacement for the Kh-22 (NATO reporting name AS-4 Kitchen) heavy anti-shipping missile. Development of the Kh-15 started some time in the early 1970s. The sophistication of the design made it suitable for other roles, and a nuclear-tipped version was developed in tandem with the conventionally armed variant. An upgrade under development was cancelled in 1991, but reports in 1998 suggested an upgraded Kh-15 might be fitted to Su-35 (Flanker-E) tactical aircraft.
Design
The Kh-15 climbs to an altitude of about 40000 m and then dives in on the target, accelerating to a speed of about Mach 5.
Operational history
It entered service in 1980. It can be carried by the Su-33, Su-34, Tu-95MS-6 'Bear-H', Tu-22M3 'Backfire C', and Tu-160 'Blackjack'.
Variants
- Kh-15 (RKV-15) - the original version with nuclear warhead and inertial guidance
- Kh-15P - passive seeker for anti-radar use
- Kh-15S - active radar seeker for anti-shipping use
Operators
Current
Former
-
- Passed onto successor states
Similar weapons
- KSR-5 (AS-6 'Kingfish') - heavy anti-surface missile carried under the wings of Tu-22M
- Kh-59 (AS-13 'Kingbolt') - ASM for tactical aircraft, up to 285 km range
- Kh-37 (updated version of AS-20 'Kayak') - land attack version of subsonic Kh-35 Anti-Ship missile, 250 km range
- AGM-69 SRAM - 1000 kg US missile with up to 170 km range
Photo Gallery
Image:AS-16 Kickback 2008 G2.jpg|Kh-15 from rear Image:X-15c.gif|Mission profile (anti-ship version)
Notes
References
References
- (4 March 2019). "Russian nuclear forces, 2019". Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.
- (2008-08-01). "Kh-15, RKV-15 (AS-16 'Kickback')". Jane's Air-Launched Weapons.
- (2008-09-02). "Kh-15 (AS-16 'Kickback'/RKV-15)". Jane's Strategic Weapon Systems.
- "АО "Корпорация Тактическое Ракетное Вооружение"".
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