3M14 Kalibr (SS-N-30) anti-ground cruise missile launched from the Russian
Navy ships and submarines. It flies at the subsonic airspeed of 0.6-0.8M with
maximum range of 300 km (officially for the export versions, Russian Navy
Kalibers have supposedly 2,000 km range). The missile has a two-stage
design with launching rocket engine and subsonic flight module powered by
the jet engine. The guidance system comprises the radio altimeter for terrain-copying regime, inertial navigation system with the flight correction capability
according to the data from the global satellite positioning system GLONASS
and terrain mapping system. Flight level is 20 m above sea surface or 50-150
m above ground. The target is identified according to the digital mag or the coordinates. Thus, the missile can attack the hidden targets which are destroyed
by the classic or container-type 400 kg warhead.
Photo: author’s archive
The map of Ukraine depicts the locations of the confirmed Russian strikes by 3M14 Kalibr
(SS-N-30), Kh-101 (AS-23 Kodiak), Kh-555 (AS-22 Kluge) cruise missiles launched from VKS RF
Tu-95 and Tu-160 bombers and short range tactical ballistic rockets from 9K720 Iskander-M
system. The target of this massive initial strike in vee hours on February 24, 2022 were primarily
air bases, radar and AA systems locations, ammunition depots, important objects of the military
infrastructure and lastly, of course, the Ukrainian Army command posts. The mission was clear
- eliminate the ability to organize any serious opposition to the invasion forces which shortly
afterwards crossed the Ukrainian border in eight main columns. See below, chapter “Invasion
troops markings”.
Photo: author’s archive
Photo: author’s archive via ACIG Tom Cooper
HISTORY
Photo: author’s archive
Photo: author’s archive
The projectile fired from the VMF RF Black Sea Fleet rocket corvette “609” Vyshny Volochyok
(project 21631, Bujan-M class).
The 9K720 Iskander-M (SS-26 Stone) is a mobile tactical missile system of Russian origin able to launch 9M723 short range ballistic rockets (the launching vehicle can carry two
9M723 rockets). Range of the system, which is designated to destroy AA systems or heavily defended important ground targets (airports, command posts, communication centers
etc.) is approximately 500 km (9M720 export version has the range limited to 280 km). There is also a version carrying cruise missiles and the ballistic rocket of the Iskander
system was developed into the air ballistic rocket CKh-47M2 “Kinjal” which is especially by Russians heavily promoted as a “gamechanger”. The 9M723 ballistic rocket is 7.3 m long
and 0.92 diameter. It’s propelled by the single-stage solid fuel rocket engine. Its takeoff weight is 3,800 kg and it can deliver 480 to 700 kg payload to the target (export version is
limited to 480 kg). The rocket flies on the flattened ballistic curve so it does not leave the atmosphere. In the final flight stage, it can perform maneuvers with a load up to 30 G. The
rocket guidance systems utilize the inertial navigation, global satellite position system Glonass and radar. According to the Russian sources 9M723 missile accuracy is two to five
meters within the target (5-10 m for export version) and can carry several types of warheads including the nuclear, cassette and thermobaric ones. Both cassette and thermobaric
warheads were deployed in the attack on Ukraine
June 2022
INFO Eduard
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