Kh-59

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Russian cruise missile

title: "Kh-59" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["air-to-surface-missiles-of-the-soviet-union", "cold-war-air-to-surface-missiles-of-the-soviet-union", "cruise-missiles", "fire-and-forget-weapons", "military-equipment-introduced-in-the-1980s", "mkb-raduga-products", "nuclear-air-to-surface-missiles", "nuclear-cruise-missiles-of-the-soviet-union", "television-guided-weapons"] description: "Russian cruise missile" topic_path: "history/military" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kh-59" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Russian cruise missile ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox weapon"]

FieldValue
is_missileyes
nameKh-59 Ovod
(NATO reporting name: AS-13 'Kingbolt')
Kh-59M Ovod-M (AS-18 'Kazoo')
imageKh-59MK2 maks2009.jpg
image_size300
captionKh-59MK at MAKS 2009 air show
typeCruise missile
Air-launched cruise missile
Air-to-surface missile
Anti-ship missile
Land-attack missile
originSoviet Union/Russia
service1980–current
used_byRussia, China, India, Algeria
warsFirst Chechen War
Second Chechen War
Russo-Ukrainian War
designerMKB Raduga
manufacturerTactical Missiles Corporation
weight930 kg
length570 cm
diameter38.0 cm
fillingCluster or shaped-charge fragmentation
filling_weight320 kg
engineKh-59: two-stage rocket
Kh-59ME: rocket then R95TP-300 turbojet/turbofan
wingspan130 cm
vehicle_rangeKh-59ME (export): 115 km
Kh-59ME: 200 km
Kh-59MK: 285 km
Kh-59MK2: 290 km
speed0.72 -
guidanceInertial guidance (then TV guidance), millimeter wave active radar homing (Kh-59MK, Kh-59MK2 land attack version)
launch_platformKh-59ME: Su-30MK
Kh-59: Su-24M, MiG-27, Su-17M3/22M4, HAL Tejas, Su-30 MKI Su-25 and Su-30
Kh-59MK2: Su-57
::

| is_missile = yes | name = Kh-59 Ovod (NATO reporting name: AS-13 'Kingbolt') Kh-59M Ovod-M (AS-18 'Kazoo') | image = Kh-59MK2 maks2009.jpg | image_size = 300 | caption = Kh-59MK at MAKS 2009 air show | type = Cruise missile Air-launched cruise missile Air-to-surface missile Anti-ship missile Land-attack missile | origin = Soviet Union/Russia | service = 1980–current | used_by = Russia, China, India, Algeria | wars = First Chechen War Second Chechen War Russo-Ukrainian War | designer = MKB Raduga | design_date = | manufacturer = Tactical Missiles Corporation | unit_cost = | production_date = | weight = 930 kg | length = 570 cm | height = | diameter = 38.0 cm | filling = Cluster or shaped-charge fragmentation | filling_weight = 320 kg | detonation = | yield = | engine = Kh-59: two-stage rocket Kh-59ME: rocket then R95TP-300 turbojet/turbofan | engine_power = | wingspan = 130 cm | propellant = | vehicle_range = Kh-59ME (export): 115 km Kh-59ME: 200 km Kh-59MK: 285 km Kh-59MK2: 290 km | ceiling = | altitude = | speed = 0.72 - | guidance = Inertial guidance (then TV guidance), millimeter wave active radar homing (Kh-59MK, Kh-59MK2 land attack version) | launch_platform = Kh-59ME: Su-30MK Kh-59: Su-24M, MiG-27, Su-17M3/22M4, HAL Tejas, Su-30 MKI Su-25 and Su-30 Kh-59MK2: Su-57

The Kh-59 Ovod ( Овод 'Gadfly'; AS-13 'Kingbolt') is a Russian air-launched cruise missile with a two-stage solid-fuel propulsion system and 200 km range. The Kh-59M Ovod-M ('''AS-18 'Kazoo'''') is a variant with a bigger warhead and turbojet engine. It is primarily a land-attack missile; the Kh-59MK variant targets ships.

Development

The initial design was based on the Raduga Kh-58 (AS-11 'Kilter'), but it had to be abandoned because the missile speed was too high for visual target acquisition.

Raduga OKB developed the Kh-59 in the 1970s as a longer ranged version of the Kh-25 (AS-10 'Karen'), as a precision stand-off weapon for the Su-24M and late-model MiG-27's. The electro-optical sensors for this and other weapons such as the Kh-29 (AS-14 'Kedge') and KAB-500KR bombs were developed by S. A. Zverev NPO in Krasnogorsk.

It is believed that development of the Kh-59M started in the 1980s. Details of the Kh-59M were first revealed in the early 1990s.

Design

The basic Kh-59 model is released from the carrier plane, after which the first stage fires, a solid fuel accelerator in the tail. Now the stabilizers located in the front of the missile unfold, with wings and rudder in the rear. Driven by the second stage cruise rocket engine, the Kh-59 cruises at an altitude of about 7 metres above water or 100-1000 m above ground with the help of a radar altimeter. It can be launched at speeds of 600 to at altitudes of 0.2 to and has a CEP of 2 to. It is carried on an AKU-58-1 launch pylon.

The Kh-59ME has an external turbofan engine below the body just forward of the rear wings, but retains the powder-fuel accelerator. It also has a dual guidance system consisting of an inertial guidance system to guide it into the target area and a television system to guide it to the target itself.

The 36MT turbofan engine developed for the Kh-59M class of missiles is manufactured by NPO Saturn of Russia.

Target coordinates are fed into the missile before launch, and the initial flight phase is conducted under inertial guidance. At a distance of 10 km from the target the television guidance system is activated. An operator aboard the aircraft visually identifies the target and locks the missile onto it.

Operational history

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ce/Х-59МЭ.JPG" caption="Kh-59ME"] ::

Although the original Kh-59 could be carried by the MiG-27, Su-17M3, Su-22M4, Su-24M, Su-25 and Su-30 family if they carried an APK-9 datalink pod, it was only fielded on the Su-24M in Russian service. From 2008–2015, Russia delivered some 200 Kh-59 missiles to China for use on the Su-30MK2; deliveries may have included both Kh-59MK and Kh-59MK2 versions. The Kh-59MK2 has been test-fired by a Su-57 stealth fighter, during its 2018 Syrian deployment.

On 4 April 2022, during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, photographic evidence was published on Telegram channels that a Kh-59M missile was launched by the Russian Aerospace Forces at a grain silo near Mykolaiv, Ukraine. The missile was captured on CCTV as it was traveling to the target area.

On 16 August 2022, the Ukrainian Air Force confirmed over Social Media that Kh-59 missiles were used to strike an airbase in the Zhytomyr Oblast, the missiles being fired towards the Belarusian border from what was believed to be Su-34 jets.

Variants

Kh-59 model

  • Kh-59 (AS-13 'Kingbolt') – original version with dual solid-fuel rocket engines. First shown in 1991; exported as Kh-59 or Kh-59E.
  • Kh-59M (AS-18 'Kazoo') – adds turbojet engine and larger warhead. Range 115 km.
  • Kh-59ME – 200 km-range variant offered for export in 1999.
  • Kh-59MK – 285 km-range anti-shipping variant with turbofan engine and ARGS-59 active radar seeker.
  • Kh-59MK2 (AS-22) –low observable land attack variant of Kh-59MK (fire-and-forget), equipped with either a 320 kg penetrating or 285 kg pellet warhead. First unveiled at MAKS 2015.
  • Kh-59M2 – Kh-59M/Kh-59MK with new TV/IIR seekers, reported in 2004.
  • Kh-20 – possible name for nuclear-tipped variant carried by Su-27 family.
  • Kh-59L – laser-guided variant that was developed.
  • Kh-59T – TV guided instead of laser guidance variant.
  • Kh-59MKM – penetrator version that eliminated the seeker section and fitted a 360 kg warhead, able to penetrate 3 m of reinforced concrete.

Proposed development options for the Kh-59M/ME have included alternative payloads (including cluster munitions) but their current development status is unclear.

Kh-69 model

Main article: Kh-69

Operators

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cc/Kh-59_operators.png" caption="Map with Kh-59 operators in blue and former operators in red"] ::

Current operators

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Former operators

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References

Bibliography

References

  1. Närväinen, Tuomas. "Soviet Missiles".
  2. "Aero-Engine Scientific and Technical Complex "Soyuz"". [[Soyuz Scientific Production Association]].
  3. (2008-09-09). "Kh-59 (AS-13 'Kingbolt'/Ovod)". Jane's Strategic Weapon Systems.
  4. (2007-10-24). "Kh-59 Ovod (AS-13 'Kingbolt')". Jane's Air-Launched Weapons.
  5. (2010-12-03). "Kh-59M, Kh-59ME Ovod-M (AS-18 'Kazoo')". Jane's Air-Launched Weapons.
  6. Rosoboronexport Air Force Department and Media & PR Service. (2005). "Aerospace Systems. Export Catalogue". [[Rosoboronexport]].
  7. link. [[NPO Saturn]]
  8. (21 March 2016). "China's PLAN Received about 200 Kh-59MK Anti-Ship Missiles for Su-30MK2 by end-2015". Navy Recognition.
  9. (29 May 2018). "Russian Su-57 reportedly fired cutting-edge Kh-59Mk2 cruise missile during tests in Syria".
  10. (7 April 2022). "Russia's KH-59M missile hit a grain depot in southern Ukraine".
  11. "Kh-59MK extended-range Air-to-Surface Missile". Rosoboronexport.
  12. "Kh-59MK2 Air-to-Surface Guided Missile". Rosoboronexport.
  13. Eshel, Tamir. (30 August 2015). "Russian Stealth Ship Killers Debut at MAKS 2015".
  14. (April 2022). "The X-59MK2 guided aircraft missile updated version".
  15. Novichkov, Nikolai. (28 July 2021). "Russia unveils Kh-59MKM upgrade variant air-to-surface missile".
  16. (2000). "Clusters of Death: The Mennonite Central Committee Global Report on Cluster Bomb Production and Use". [[Mennonite Central Committee]].
  17. "Trade Registers". [[Stockholm International Peace Research Institute]].
  18. "Tactical Missiles Corporation Missile Exportation Since 1992". [[Moscow Defense Brief]].
  19. (April 2022). "2011 Annual Report of Tactical Missile Corporation".
  20. (29 June 2015). "Fortress T4: An Airbase at War".

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air-to-surface-missiles-of-the-soviet-unioncold-war-air-to-surface-missiles-of-the-soviet-unioncruise-missilesfire-and-forget-weaponsmilitary-equipment-introduced-in-the-1980smkb-raduga-productsnuclear-air-to-surface-missilesnuclear-cruise-missiles-of-the-soviet-uniontelevision-guided-weapons