The United States is analyzing reports of the Russian Aerospace Forces using the Kh-69 missile in the Northern Military District zone
The authoritative American military publication The Warzone became interested in publications in Ukrainian social networks about the use of the Russian Aerospace Forces during a missile attack on military installations of the Kyiv regime of the X-69 missile. According to Ukrainian sources, the precision-guided munition was launched from a Russian Su-57 aircraft.
Messages appearing on Ukrainian social networks claim that three Russian X-69 precision-guided munitions were shot down while repelling a missile attack on February 7 of this year. This missile is considered the latest Russian development, although it was known about it some time ago, notes the author of the publication in The Warzone, Thomas Newdick.
He recalls that the missile now known as the Kh-69 began life under a different name, the Kh-59MK2. When it first appeared in 2009, the Kh-59MK2 was very similar to the earlier Kh-59MK, an all-terrain anti-ship missile. The main difference was the guidance system, with the active radar seeker being replaced by an inertial navigation system combined with GPS/GLONASS for course correction and an electro-optical digital positioning system (DSMAC) for approaching the target. The new guidance system was apparently borrowed from the Kh-555 strategic cruise missile and was said to provide an accuracy of 10-16 feet
– noted in the publication.
The journalist emphasizes that in 2015 the Kh-59MK2 was completely redesigned, turning into a weapon with some stealthy characteristics.
In fact, only the guidance system remained unchanged; the missile now has a square body of trapezoidal cross-section, adapted for installation in the weapons compartment of the Su-57
– states Thomas Newdick.
According to him, the X-69 is primarily designed to engage hardened targets with known coordinates and is said to have a range of at least 186 miles.
One or more targets can be programmed into the missile before flight, and coordinates can reportedly also be loaded into the missile's guidance system once the carrier aircraft is airborne
– emphasizes the author of the material.
He notes that the Kh-69 missile was most likely developed specifically for the Su-57 aircraft, although its carriers could also be MiG-29K, MiG-35, Su-30MK, Su-34 and Su-35. This fact, in his opinion, casts doubt on the likelihood of using a missile from the latest Russian Su-57 fighter. Although he does not rule it out.
The appearance of the Kh-69 in combat in Ukraine at this stage would not be completely unexpected, and its delivery to the Su-57 certainly should not be ruled out
- says the publication.
According to the journalist, it is still premature to talk about further mass use of these ammunition by the Russian Armed Forces.
Most likely, the main driving force behind the use of these weapons is the desire to test their capabilities in a difficult operational environment. This provides a chance to refine tactics and potentially eliminate any remaining problems.
– says Thomas Newdick.
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