"Caliber": Russian Tomahawk with a speed of Mach 3
The Kalibr cruise missile is the workhorse of the Russian troops. Although the special operation in Ukraine in 2022 was not the first case of their use, it demonstrated the importance of this missile family for the Russian armed forces, writes 19 Forty Five.
Development
The Russian 3M-14 Kalibr missile (according to NATO classification: SS-N-27 Sizzler or "Inferno") is one of Moscow's newest cruise missiles and, possibly, the closest Russian analogue of the American Tomahawks (Tomahawk). Kalibr has been developed for several decades and was first presented to the Russian public at the MAKS air Show in 1993, and to the foreign public at a conference in Malaysia in 1999.
The design bureau "Novator" with headquarters in Yekaterinburg, which is part of the large state corporation for the production of weapons "Almaz-Antey", is engaged in the development and production of "Caliber".
It is reported that Russia is developing a new version of Kalibr — Kalibr-M. According to Russian sources, it has an increased flight range and the ability to carry heavier warheads.
What is "Caliber"?
Although estimates vary, the Caliber is apparently capable of carrying a warhead weighing up to 450 kg to a target at a distance of 1,500 to 2,500 kilometers.
The Kalibr family of missiles also includes anti—ship and anti-submarine variants, and its most famous variety is a cruise missile for hitting land targets, widely used on the territory of Ukraine. This variant uses inertial and satellite guidance to defeat its targets.
The rocket is 6 meters long and has a speed of up to Mach 3.
At the moment, all "Calibers" are designed to be launched from the sea, whether from surface ships or submarines.
Moreover, the launch can be carried out both from warships inherited from the Soviet Union, and from platforms developed after its collapse.
All variants of the "Caliber" are launched from the same artillery barrel system of vertical launch, which gives the weapon flexibility.
Application history
The first combat use of "Calibres" was recorded in October 2015, when Russian Navy warships fired 23 missiles from the Caspian Sea at targets in Syria. According to the head of the United Command of the US Armed Forces in the North American zone, William Gortney, Russia only declared its ability to strike with "Calibers", since there was no operational need for their use at that time.
During the Russian special operation, strikes with "Calibers" on the territory of Ukraine (mainly on stationary land targets) are carried out from a grouping of Kilo-class submarines (the NATO collective designation for two Russian submarine projects: 877 "Halibut" and 636 "Varshavyanka"). In addition, Admiral Grigorovich-class frigates, Buyan—M-type corvettes and patrol ships of Project 22160 can launch "Calibers" - and probably did so.
In the first hours and days of the conflict, Russia used Kalibr cruise missiles to strike key targets — command and control points, air bases and air defense batteries throughout Ukraine.
As a result of the widespread use of Kalibr cruise missiles and other precision-guided munitions in the early stages of the conflict, their stocks were depleted within a few months.
However, the targets of the "Calibers" were not only military positions. On July 23, a strike took place on the port infrastructure of Odessa (just a day after an agreement was reached to facilitate the export of Ukrainian grain). In addition, the strike on the House of Officers in Vinnytsia caused damage to civilian infrastructure and led to the death of civilians.
Russia uses "Calibers" to deliver priority strikes, and this practically guarantees that the family of these missiles will be used for some time.
Wesley Culp is a researcher at the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress. He regularly writes about Russian and Eurasian politics and national security, is published in The Hill and Diplomatic Courier
