Missile Kh-80 (AS-19 Koala)
Summary
| NATO Designation | AS-19 Koala |
| Category | Air-to-Surface Missiles |
| Sub-type | Anti-radar missile |
| Origin country | 🇷🇺 Russia 🇨🇳 Ex-USSR |
| Manufacturer | NPO Mashinostroyeniya |
Technical specifications
| Warhead | High Explosive |
| Diameter | 760 mm (29.9 in) |
| Span | 2,100 mm (82.7 in) |
| Length | 9,700 mm (381.9 in) |
| Flight altitude | 24,000 m (78,740 ft) |
| Weight | 4,500 kg (9,921 lb) |
| Range | 250 km (155 mi) |
| Max. speed | 3,500 km/h (Mach 3.5) |
Further Reading
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Operators
Description
Development of the Kh-80, also designated 3M25 and codenamed Grom, was authorized in December 1976. The system was intended to replace subsonic intermediate-range missiles in the Soviet inventory. Flight testing began in May 1980, with the first successful flight occurring in December 1981 following three failed attempts. A submarine-launched test from a Project 667M vessel was conducted in the Barents Sea in December 1983.
The Kh-80 is a supersonic cruise missile utilizing liquid-fuel propulsion and solid-fuel boosters. It is designed for high-altitude flight at speeds between Mach 2.5 and Mach 3.0. The guidance suite consists of an inertial navigation system, TERCOM, and active radar homing, supported by a mid-course datalink for trajectory updates. Available warheads include high explosive, fuel-air explosive, and thermobaric types. For nuclear applications, the missile can carry warheads with yields ranging from 200 kilotons to under 6 megatons, including a 1-megaton thermonuclear variant.
The system was developed for air, sea, and land platforms. The air-launched Meteorit-A (AS-X-19 Koala) was assigned to Tu-95 bombers. The naval Meteorit-M (SS-NX-24 Scorpion) was intended for Project 667M submarines. The Meteorit-N (SSC-X-5) was the land-based variant for ground-based operations. The system was developed for Soviet forces.