Missile Kh-15 (AS-16 Kickback)

The AS-16 Kickback, also known by its Russian designation Kh-15, is an air-launched ballistic missile developed by the Soviet Union for both tactical and strategic missions. This missile is primarily intended for high-priority, heavily defended targets like radar installations, command centers, and airfields. It is usually carried by aircraft such as the Tu-22M Backfire, Tu-95 Bear, and Tu-160 Blackjack bombers.

The Kh-15 has a solid-fuel rocket motor, which provides it with rapid acceleration and a high terminal speed. This makes the missile difficult to intercept. Depending on the variant, the Kh-15 can have a range of up to around 300 kilometers.

In terms of guidance, early versions of the Kh-15 employed inertial navigation systems. Later models have added radar-based terminal guidance, making the missile more accurate. The missile is armed with either a conventional high-explosive warhead or a nuclear warhead, depending on its intended mission.

Despite its high speed and advanced guidance systems, the Kh-15 relatively short range, compared to other strategic missiles, necessitates that the launch platform come closer to enemy defenses, thereby exposing it to greater risk. The missile's ballistic trajectory also makes it somewhat more predictable than a cruise missile, potentially making it easier to intercept, although its high speed mitigates this to some extent.

Additionally, the Kh-15's utility in a tactical role is somewhat hampered by its originally intended strategic nature, including its potential for carrying a nuclear warhead. This has made the missile subject to various arms control agreements and considerations.