Kh-47M2 Kinzhal

Kh-47M2 Kinzhal
Х-47М2 Кинжал
A Kh-47M2 Kinzhal being carried by a Mikoyan MiG-31K interceptor
TypeAir-launched ballistic missile
Place of originRussia
Service history
In service2017–present
Used byRussian Aerospace Forces
WarsRussian invasion of Ukraine
Production history
DesignerBelieved to be:
Votkinsk Plant State Production Association and
Tactical Missiles Corporation JSC
Unit costUS$10 million[1]
Specifications
Mass4,300 kg (9,500 lb)
Length7.2 m (23 ft 7 in) (estimated)
Diameter1,200 mm (47 in) (estimated)
Wingspan1.6 m (5 ft 3 in)
Warhead

EngineSolid-propellant rocket motor
Operational
range
2,000 km (1,200 mi) (Including range of launching aircraft)
Maximum speed up to Mach 10 (3,400 m/s; 11,200 ft/s)
Guidance
system
INS, mid-course update
Steering
system
Four cropped delta‐fins
Launch
platform
ReferencesJanes,[2] CSIS[3]

The Kh-47M2 Kinzhal (Russian: Х-47М2 Кинжал, lit. 'Dagger'; NATO reporting name: AS-24 Killjoy) is a Russian hypersonic air-launched ballistic missile.[4][5] It has an estimated range of 460–480 km (290–300 mi)[6] and a reported top speed of Mach 10.[3][6] It can carry either conventional or nuclear warheads[7] and can be launched by Tu-22M3 bombers, MiG-31K interceptors, or modified Su-34 fighter-bombers. It is the first hypersonic weapon used.[8]

It has been deployed at airbases in Russia's Southern Military District and Western Military District.[9][10]

The Kinzhal entered service in December 2017 and was one of the six new Russian strategic weapons unveiled by Russian President Vladimir Putin in March 2018.[11]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference 7402408 Kinzhal was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Janes (14 April 2022), "Kh-47M2 Kinzhal (AS-24 'Killjoy')", Janes Weapons: Air Launched, Coulsdon, Surrey: Jane's Group UK Limited, archived from the original on 11 March 2024, retrieved 13 March 2023
  3. ^ a b "Kh-47M2 Kinzhal". Center for Strategic and International Studies. Archived from the original on 10 October 2022. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  4. ^ "Kh-47M2 Kinzhal". Missile Threat. Archived from the original on 10 October 2022. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  5. ^ "Russia unveils Kinzhal hypersonic missile". www.janes.com. Jane's 360. Archived from the original on 23 July 2018. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  6. ^ a b Yap, Marc (11 August 2023). "Deriving the Kinzhal Missile's Actual Range and Speed: An Aerospace Engineering Analysis". Medium. Archived from the original on 3 January 2024. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  7. ^ Majumdar, Dave (10 May 2018). "Russia Places 10 Deadly MiG-31s on "Experimental Combat Duty" to Carry "Hypersonic" Missile". Archived from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  8. ^ Goldstein, Lyle; Waechter, Nathan (12 January 2024). "China Evaluates Russia's Use of Hypersonic 'Daggers' in the Ukraine War". Archived from the original on 16 January 2024. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  9. ^ "Russian Aerospace Forces test launch Kinzhal hypersonic missile". TASS. Archived from the original on 6 July 2022. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  10. ^ Newdick, Thomas (8 February 2022). "Russian MiG-31s Armed With Air-Launched Ballistic Missiles Have Arrived In Kaliningrad". The Drive. Archived from the original on 16 July 2022. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  11. ^ "Advanced military technology in Russia: Putin's 'super weapons'". Chatham House. 23 September 2021. Archived from the original on 5 September 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2023.