Missile Kh-29 (AS-14 Kedge)

The AS-14 Kedge, known by its Russian designation Kh-29, is an air-to-surface missile developed by the Soviet Union and subsequently modernized by Russia. The missile is designed to engage a variety of ground and naval targets, including bunkers, bridges, ships, and fortifications. It is generally carried by aircraft like the Su-24, Su-25, Su-30, and Su-34.

The Kh-29 is powered by a solid-fuel rocket motor, giving it a relatively high speed and a range of around 10 to 30 kilometers, depending on the variant and launch conditions. The missile is substantially larger and heavier than most other air-to-ground missiles in its class, which allows it to carry a sizable warhead. The high-explosive warhead is designed to cause significant damage upon impact, making the Kh-29 suitable for engaging well-fortified or high-value targets.

For guidance, the Kh-29 comes in multiple versions that employ different targeting methods. Some variants use laser guidance, requiring the launch aircraft or a third party to illuminate the target with a laser designator. Others use television guidance, with a "man-in-the-loop" system that allows an operator to guide the missile via a video link. Newer versions may also incorporate inertial or satellite-based navigation for greater autonomy.

However, the missile's effectiveness comes with trade-offs. Its large size and weight limit the number of missiles that an aircraft can carry. Additionally, the requirement for external target designation in some variants can complicate mission planning and execution. Also, the human-guided TV version has limitations in poor visibility conditions and is susceptible to operator error.