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
VALÉORINE Encyclopedia
VALÉORINE documentary reading
Documentary summary
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.
Admitted source layer · organised and presented by VALÉORINE
Note VALÉORINE
No house-authored Note is published until its assertions and sources pass the VALÉORINE evidence contract. The documentary article remains available in full while that enrichment is being consolidated.
Documentary enrichment in progress · no unsupported statement published
Reference Check
Propose documentary evidence for Kh-15. A contribution is never written directly as fact: identity, source, rights and evidence gates still decide.
Sign in to contribute
Documentary evidence
Evidence Panel
not yet certified
- Identity
- resolved
- Independent source families
- 0
- Admitted assertions
- 0
- Open conflicts
- 0
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)
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
Best supported in this field
For owners
Own an object connected with Kh-15?
A specialist will read what you send and tell you what the house can establish, what it cannot, and whether the object is suited to sale. There is no charge and no obligation. The object stays with you throughout; nothing is shipped to us unless it is arranged in writing beforehand.