Tu-22M3 lit up in Syria with a new missile

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation has published the first image of a long-range missile carrier Tu-22M3 with a new cruise missile X-32 on an external suspension.

The plane appeared in a story dedicated to Sergei Shoigu's inspection of the Khmeimim airbase in Syria. These are the first reliable photos of the X-32, bmpd noted.

The X-32 was created to replace the Soviet long-range cruise missile X-22 and is its deep modernization. Despite the fact that the new rocket is made in the same case, the differences from the X-22 are very significant. The X-32 has a new, more powerful engine. Due to the smaller volume of the warhead, the fuel reserve has been increased. A new noise-proof guidance system has been installed: inertial and radar, with radio correction and reference to the terrain.

The X-32 missile has strong missile defense breakthrough capabilities - in particular, the American Aegis system. It flies to the target at an altitude of 40 kilometers at a speed of up to Mach 4.4, which exceeds the capabilities of the SM-6 interceptor missile in both parameters. The multi-frequency radar in the missile homing head is resistant to interference from electronic warfare systems. The X-32 dives vertically at the target, falling into the "dead zone" of anti-aircraft radars.

The launch range of the rocket is 1000 kilometers, during tests it demonstrated exceptional accuracy - all hits were "in the peg".

Anton Valagin