Kh-31

Infobox Weapon
is_missile=yes
name=Kh-31
(NATO reporting name: AS-17 'Krypton)


caption=Kh-31A
origin=Soviet Union
type=Medium-range, Anti-radiation missile
used_by=
manufacturer=Zvezda-Strela
unit_cost=
propellant=
production_date=
service=1982- present
engine=Solid fuel rocket in initial stage, ramjet for rest of trajectory
engine_power=
weight=600 kg
length=4.70 m
height=
diameter=360 mm
wingspan=780 mm
speed=3.04 Mach
vehicle_range=Kh-31A: 70 km
Kh-31P: 110 km
ceiling=
altitude=
filling=90 kg TNT equivalent
guidance=Kh-31A: inertial with active radar
Kh-31P: inertial with passive radar
detonation=Impact
launch_platform=

The Kh-31, NATO reporting name AS-17 'Krypton is a Russian anti-radiation missile (ARM) carried by most of its strike aircraft. It is produced by the Zvezda group and was first launched in 1982.

Design

The Kh-31 is designed to engage illuminating radars of long- and medium-range air defense missile systems as well as other ground- and sea-based radars operating in theappropriate wavelength band.

The missile is provided with three changeable modules of the passive radar homing head covering the entire frequency range of radar targets. It is equipped with a combined propulsion unit including a solid-propellant booster and a ramjet sustainer operating on kerosene.

The missile features a normal aerodynamic configuration with cruciform wings and ruddervators.

A target is detected by the aircraft electronic reconnaissance set or by the missile homing head. After target detection, the pilot turns the aircraft to the target and introduces designation data into the missile. Upon receipt of signals confirming that the aircraft is in range and the missile homing head locked on the target, the pilot fires a missile. After launch, the missile climbs according to the program and then, upon reaching a definite angle of sighting at the target, turns toward the latter and dives following the signals of the homing head.

China obtained approximately 200 Kh-31p's from Russia between 2002 and 2004. Chinese engineers may have begun reverse engineering the missile under the designation YJ-91.cite web |url=http://www.sinodefence.com/airforce/weapon/kh31.asp |title=KH-31P / YJ-91 ANTI-RADIATION MISSILE | Air-Launched Weapons |publisher=SinoDefence.com |accessdate= 2006-04-01 ] This has defense analysts in the U.S. worried due to the dispute over Taiwan.The Kh-31P, with its 100+ km range represents an attempt to defeat the U.S. MIM-104 Patriot missile and Aegis SPY-1 radar. Its speed and radar homing capabilities have been marketed for just that purposecite web |url=http://www.uscc.gov/researchpapers/2000_2003/pdfs/strat.pdf |title=China's Military Strategy Toward the U.S. |publisher=www.uscc.gov] cite web |url=http://www.carnegieendowment.org/pdf/npp/CRSchinamissilesupdated081000.pdf |title=CRS Report for Congress, China: Ballistic and Cruise Missiles| publisher=www.carnegieendowment.org |accessdate=2000-08-10 ]

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References

* "Russia's Arms Catalog 2004"