(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — To make its fifth-generation fighter aircraft Su-57 “more dangerous,” Russia has equipped it with a new Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) capable of striking targets at greater distances.
Named “KRBB,” this long-range guided cruise missile can engage targets up to 600km away.
According to the Russian news agency RIA Novosti, the range achieved by the KRBB cruise missile carried by the Su-57 fighter is equivalent to the air-launched guided missiles carried by Russia’s strategic bomber aircraft, Tu-95 and Tu-160.
Despite being relatively smaller in size, the KRBB cruise missile matches the capabilities of the cruise missiles carried by Tu-95 and Tu-160 bombers.
The smaller size of the KRBB cruise missile is attributed to its more aerodynamic design, enabling it to engage both ground and naval targets.
The KRBB cruise missile is among the dangerous weaponry systems enhancing the Su-57 fighter aircraft.
As the Russian Air Force works to introduce more Su-57 fighters into its units, it is also introducing more advanced weaponry systems to its latest fighters.
These fifth-generation Russian fighters have the capability to carry eight air-to-air guided missiles, including six long-range air-to-air missiles R-37M with a claimed range of up to 400km.
The R-37M air-to-air guided missile surpasses the capabilities of similar missiles carried by the American F-22, F-35, and the Chinese J-20 in terms of both range and destructive power, with a speed of Mach 6 and a larger warhead of 61kg.
With the significantly long operational range of air-to-air guided missiles, the Su-57 can engage a wide range of enemy aircraft, including fighters, bombers, early warning aircraft, and other targets, from extreme distances of up to 400km.
For ground target destruction, the primary air-to-ground guided missile carried by Russian Su-57 aircraft is the KH-59Mk2, which can destroy fortified military positions from distances of up to 300km.
The KH-59Mk2 is equipped with a 320kg penetrator warhead, and efforts are underway to enhance it with a more powerful warhead capable of striking larger areas.
Due to its subsonic speed, the KH-59Mk2 air-to-ground guided missile can travel longer distances despite its smaller size. The Russian Air Force has tested the KH-59Mk2 missile in conflict zones such as Ukraine and Syria.
Additionally, the Su-57 fighter aircraft is equipped with the anti-radiation guided missile Kh-58UShKE, designed to neutralize enemy communication centers, radars, and air defense systems.
Furthermore, Russia’s fifth-generation aircraft will be armed with small-sized cruise missiles, KH-38ME (400km range), and hypersonic Kh-47M2 “Kinzhal” missiles capable of striking targets at distances of up to 2,000km. — DSA
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