Kh-15
The Raduga Kh-15 or RKV-15 (Х-15; NATO: AS-16 "Kickback") is a Soviet hypersonic air-launched ballistic 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.
Also recorded as AS-16 · Raduga Kh-15 · Kickback · RKV-15
Kh-15
George Chernilevsky · Public domain
- Name
- Raduga Kh-15 (NATO reporting name: AS-16 'Kickback')
- Field
- air-to-surface missile · air-launched ballistic missile
- Region
- Soviet Union
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In this article
Key facts
Key facts
• Is Missile — yes • Name — Raduga Kh-15 (NATO reporting name: AS-16 'Kickback') • 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,
Development
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
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
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
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
Current
Current
*
Former
Former
• - Passed onto successor states
Similar weapons
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
Photo Gallery
• Illustration — Kh-15 from rear • Illustration — Mission profile (anti-ship version)
Licensing
Text attribution
Part of the biographical narrative on this page reuses licensed material. Its origin, revision and licence are recorded here.
The biographical narrative on this page is based on the Wikipedia article Kh-15, revision 1346939510 (EN edition), by its contributors. VALÉORINE has edited that text and built its own documentary record around it. The reused material is available under CC BY-SA 4.0, and this page's reuse of it is offered under the same licence. Everything else on this page — the chronology, the holdings, the evidence, the plates and the connections — is VALÉORINE's own record. Sources and licences.
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 14 August 2026.
Elsewhere in Militaria
6,095 published records in this field, each with its sources named.
- Kerr's Patent RevolverTerminology
- Kevin ZP98Terminology
- KGP-9Terminology
- Kh-101Terminology
- Kh-20Terminology
- KH-2002Terminology
- Kh-22Terminology
- Kh-23Terminology
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