Air Force General Istrin told what the use of X-31 missiles by the Russian Armed Forces in Ukraine can talk about
Su-30SM fighters use supersonic X-31 missiles, known in the West as "Krypton", during a special operation in Ukraine. This was reported by TASS with reference to a source in the power structures of the Crimea. "Newspaper.Ru" figured out for what purposes the Russian army uses "Krypton".
The range of the supersonic tactical guided air-to-surface missile X-31 (according to the NATO codification - AS-17 Krypton, "Krypton") is 60 km, and some modifications - 150 km. Thus, the fighter may not enter the zone of destruction of enemy air defenses.
According to TASS, such missiles were used by Su-30SM naval aviation fighters of the Black Sea Fleet. It is possible, the agency notes, that they are also used by Su-35S fighters. This missile is universal and can be used both on surface ships and ground targets.
"The X-31 missile is quite well known and has been in service with Russian aviation for more than thirty years. And if earlier its potential was known only very theoretically, according to the declared factory characteristics, which imply a speed of Mach two and a high maneuverability to overcome air defense systems, now Krypton, as the Americans called it, has demonstrated real capabilities in high-precision defeat of ground targets," he told the Newspaper.Ru" military expert Vladislav Shurygin.
The expert added that one of the main features of the X-31 is that it is equipped with a combined ramjet engine. Moreover, it is the first rocket in the world with such an engine.
- Shurygin summarized.
The warhead of the X-31 missile is relatively small, but it is enough to disable the enemy radar. In the anti-ship version, the X-31 with a more powerful charge is capable of disabling a corvette or frigate-type ship, and in case of massive shelling, it can eliminate a destroyer.
"In reality, any missile, except for air defense systems, can be used both for sea and ground targets. The main thing is that the target is in sight and the exact coordinates of its defeat are laid down. There are no problems at all in the use of the X-31 rocket, it is air-based and delivered to the launch site in any area. Here, rather, the range to the target and the safety of the aircraft crew are important. It can be assumed that a combined version of the attack was used, when the radar systems are disabled by the first blow, and then, when approaching, military infrastructure objects are defeated. The destruction of the radar is a task just for the X-31. Her "narrow" specialization," he told the newspaper.Ru" military expert, captain of the 1st rank in reserve Vasily Dandykin.
"The main effect is that due to working at ultra-low altitudes, it is almost impossible to intercept a rocket when launched from an aircraft carrier. She "falls" from the plane and attacks, pressing herself to the ground," said retired Air Force Major General Dmitry Istrin.
The General recalled that earlier in open sources it was claimed that the X-31 anti-radar missile launched from the Su-34 fighter hit the Georgian radar station near the city of Gori in 2008. After that, Krypton was known only during its use for surface targets during naval exercises.
"The Ukrainian side suggests that the Russian Armed Forces are running out of ammunition and, they say, that's why the Russian army is using anti-ship missiles in a special operation. In Kiev, they laugh at Russian Krypton missiles. It's not funny-and here's why. Stocks of "Calibers", "Daggers", "Vanguards" in the arsenal of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation abound. The use of the X-31 missiles is due to the pinpoint destruction of targets in the immediate vicinity of the contact line with the enemy, when it is necessary to break tactical air defense and missile defense. This is just evidence of an imminent offensive, in my opinion. Let's see if this is true or not," the general concluded.
Victor Sokirko
