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Kalibr (missile family)

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The Novator Kalibr (Калибр, caliber), also referred to as 3M54-1 Kalibr, 3M14 Biryuza (Бирюза, turquoise), (NATO reporting name SS-N-27 Sizzler and SS-N-30A) is a family of Russian cruise missiles developed by NPO Novator (OKB-8). It first saw service in 1994. There are ship-launched, submarine-launched and air-launched versions of the missile, and variants for anti-ship, anti-submarine and land attack use. Some versions have a second propulsion stage that initiates a supersonic sprint in the terminal approach to the target, reducing the time that air defense systems have to react, while subsonic versions have greater range than the supersonic variants. The missile can carry a warhead weighing up to 500 kilograms (1,100 lb) of explosive or a thermonuclear warhead.

Kalibr
An export variant of the missile (mockup)
TypeCruise missile
Anti-ship missile
Anti-submarine missile
Submarine-launched cruise missile
Air-launched cruise missile
Land-attack missile
Surface-to-surface missile
Place of originRussia
Service history
In service1994
Used bySee Operators
WarsSyrian Civil War
Russo-Ukrainian War
Production history
ManufacturerNovator Design Bureau, KTRV, MKB Fakel, NPO Mash, Raduga, NPO Zvezda Strela (Orenburg)
Unit cost$980,000 (domestic cost, land-attack version)
$6.5 million (export cost, anti-ship version)[1]
Produced1994–present
Specifications
MassVaries on variant, from 1,300 kg-1,780 kg-2,300 kg
LengthVaries on variant, from 6.2 m to 8.9 m
Diameter(ca. 0.514 m) 0.533 m
Warhead400–500 kg HE or thermonuclear[2][3][4]
EngineMulti-stage solid-fuel rocket, turbojet engine for 3M-54/E/TE/E1/TE1, -14/E/TE, solid fuel rocket for 91RE1/RTE2
Operational
range
91R variants: ≥50 km

3M54E (export anti-ship version): 220 km
3M54E1/3M14E (export anti-ship version): 300 km
3M54K/3M54T: 660 km (domestic anti-ship version, estimate)

3M14K/3M14T: 1,500–2,500 km (domestic land-attack version, estimate)
Flight ceiling1,000 m
Flight altitude50–150 m AGL
20 m over water[2]
Maximum speed 0.8–2.5–3.0 Mach
Guidance
system
Inertial guidance plus terminal active radar homing
Accuracy2-3 m (domestic version, with GLONASS)
50 m CEP (Club-T export version, without GLONASS) [5]
Launch
platform
naval ships, submarines, containers, airplanes, TEL

Design

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The missile is a modular system with five versions: two anti-shipping types, one for land attack and two anti-submarine types. The missile is designed to share common parts between the surface and submarine-launched variants but each missile consists of different components, for example, the booster. The missile can be launched from a surface ship using a vertical launching system (VLS).

It has a booster with thrust vectoring capability. The missile launched from a submarine torpedo tube has no need for such an addition but has a conventional booster instead. The air launched version is held in a container that is dropped as the missile launches, detaching from the container.

There are several claims about the maximum range of Kalibr land attack versions in use by Russia. The U.S. Department of Defense estimates its range at 1,400 km (870 mi), and Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu put its range at "almost 1,500 km (930 mi)." Following its first operational firing in October 2015, Russian Ministry of Defence statements suggested a range of 2,000 km (1,200 mi), while a December 2015 Office of Naval Intelligence report gathered a number of Russian statements projecting ranges between 1,500-2,500 km (1,600 mi).[2][6]

Discrepancies in range values may be political declarations for strategic effect,[2] or potentially longer 2,500 km-range claims could be associated with a thermonuclear armed variant while shorter 1,500 km-range estimates are for the conventionally armed missile.[6]

Launch of production of a submarine-variant of the 3M14TE Kalibr-NK called the Kalibr-PL missile occurred in 2012, according to state television news (broadcast of 11.10.2015).[7]

Russia has improved the targeting system of its ship- and submarine-launched Kalibr cruise missiles to improve their ability to conduct time sensitive attacks. Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu revealed the development, which was initiated as a result of combat experience in Syria, in an interview with the Moskovsky Komsomolets newspaper on 22 September 2019.[8][9]

Launch platforms

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A Club-K erected in a standard shipping container

Club-K

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'Club-K' – a Russian container complex of missile weapons, placed in the standard 20- and 40-foot sea container. It is designed to defeat surface and ground targets. The complex can be mounted on shorelines, vessels of various classes, rail platforms and trucks. It is a modification of the Kalibr missile system.

A Club-K variant, which is disguised as a shipping container that can be placed on a truck, train, or merchant vessel, was advertised in 2010 and was shown for the first time at the MAKS 2011 air show.[10][11]

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Russian submarines of the Kilo class, Lada class, Amur[12] class, Akula class, Yasen class, and Borei class are launch platforms for the missiles.[citation needed]

The Russian Gremyashchy class, Buyan-M class, the second batch of Steregushchy class corvettes and the Karakurt class are low displacement platforms with Kalibr system ability.[citation needed]

 
Indian Navy frigate INS Tabar firing the Club missile

The Russian Admiral Gorshkov class, Admiral Grigorovich class, and Gepard class frigates are able to carry these missiles. Also the Indian Talwar class frigate is another shipborne launch platform for the Club missile system.[citation needed]

Operational history

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Russian military intervention in the Syrian civil war

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Main article: Russian military intervention in the Syrian civil war
  • On 7 October 2015, a Gepard class frigate and three Buyan-M class Russian Navy corvettes, part of the Caspian Flotilla launched 26 Kalibr-NK system cruise missiles 3M14T from the Caspian Sea at 11 targets in Syria during the Syrian Civil War.[13] The missiles traveled 1,500 km (932 mi) through Iranian and Iraqi airspace and struck targets in Raqqa and Aleppo provinces (controlled by the Islamic State) but primarily in Idlib province (controlled by the Free Syrian Army and Nusra Front).[14] Anonymous US DoD officials alleged that four missiles crashed in Iran.[15] The US officials offered no evidence while Russian and Iranian governments denied the claim of missile crash.[16] Pentagon and State Department officials refused to comment on the reports.[17] Russia posted video footage of 26 Kalibr missile launches as well as several videos of missile impacts without time or location information.[18]
  • On 20 November 2015, Russia launched 18 3M14T cruise missiles from the Caspian Sea onto targets in Syria, the targets were in Raqqa, Idlib and Aleppo.[19][20][21]
  • On 9 December 2015, Russia fired a group of 3M14K cruise missiles from Kalibr-PL system at positions occupied by ISIL from the Improved Kilo-class submarine B-237 Rostov-on-Don deployed in the Mediterranean.[22][23]
  • On 19 August 2016, Russia launched three Kalibr-NK cruise missiles from Buyan-class corvette Zelenyy Dol and Serpukhov deployed in the eastern Mediterranean, and struck al-Nusra targets in the Aleppo province.[citation needed]
  • On 20 September 2016, Russian state media reported that Russian warships in the Mediterranean fired three Kalibr-NK missiles at western Aleppo, near Mount Simeon. The Russians claimed that the missile strike killed "30 Israeli and Western officers directing the terrorists' attacks in Aleppo and Idlib".[24]
  • On 15 November 2016, Russian frigate Admiral Grigorovich fired at least three missiles against targets in Idlib and Homs provinces, Syria, in the opening stages of the decisive offensive on Aleppo.[25][26]
  • On 31 May 2017, the Russian frigate Admiral Essen and submarine Krasnodar launched four missiles against targets east of Palmyra, Syria.[27][28][29]
  • On 23 June 2017, Russian frigates Admiral Grigorovich and Admiral Essen, and the submarine Krasnodar fired six Kalibr missiles at ISIL arms depot targets in Hama.[30][31][32][33][34]
  • On 5 September 2017, the Russian frigate Admiral Essen fired some Kalibr missiles on ISIL targets (command posts, a communications center, a facility repairing armored vehicles, and arms and ammunition depots) as part of an operation to take Deir ez-Zor.[citation needed]
  • On 14 September 2017, the Russian submarines Veliky Novgorod and Kolpino fired seven Kalibr missiles on ISIL targets (command posts, communications centers and ammunition depots) in the south-east of Deir ez-Zor.[35]
  • On 22 September 2017, the Russian submarine Veliky Novgorod fired at least three Kalibr missiles on al-Nusra in the Idlib province. The missile strike destroyed command centers, training bases and armored vehicles.[36]
  • On 5 October 2017, the Russian submarines Veliky Novgorod and Kolpino launched 10 Kalibr missiles. The strikes were to support Syrian troops conducting a ground offensive in Deir-ez-Zor province.[37][38]
  • On 31 October 2017, the Russian submarine Veliky Novgorod launched 3 Kalibr missiles. The strikes were again to support Syrian troops conducting a ground offensive in Deir-ez-Zor province.[citation needed]
  • On 3 November 2017, the Russian submarine Kolpino launched 6 Kalibr missiles from a submerged position. Missiles hit terrorists' strongholds, weapon and ammunition depots, concentrations of militants, and important command centres near Abu Kamal, Deir-ez-Zor.[39][40]
  • On 3 February 2018, Russian frigates and submarines active in the Mediterranean sea launched several Kalibr missiles on the positions of rebels in the Idlib province, Syria where the Sukhoi Su-25 attack aircraft of Major Roman Filipov was shot down, killing about 30.[41]

2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine

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Main article: 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine

Kalibr cruise missiles have been widely used by Russian forces since the start of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022. The opening assault is said to have included at least 30 cruise missiles, targeting command and control points, air bases, and air-defense batteries. The missiles were likely fired by the Buyan-class corvettes, Admiral Grigorovich-class frigates and Kilo-class submarines of the Russian Black Sea Fleet.[42] Ukraine's military command reported widespread usage of Kalibr cruise missiles in strikes against strategic and non-combat targets across Ukraine.[43][44] Most notable incidents were:

  • On 14 July 2022, three Kalibr cruise missiles hit the city center of Vinnytsia, Ukraine, killing at least 20 people, including at least three children. Ukraine claimed two other missiles were shot down.[45]
  • On 23 July 2022, at least two Kalibr cruise missiles hit the port of Odesa, other two were reportedly shot down.[46]
  • On 11 September 2022, Kalibr cruise missiles were again fired from the Black Sea on targets in Ukraine.[47] The same day, missile strike on Kharkiv TEC-5 thermal power plant in Kharkiv was confirmed by Ukrainian officials.[48]
  • During 2022 Russian strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure in October, November and December 2022, number of Kalibr cruise missiles fired from the Black Sea targeted various Ukrainian energy facilities across the country. This led to destruction of at least 50% of Ukraine's energy sector by mid-November 2022.[49]
    • On 10 October 2022, three Kalibr cruise missiles violated the airspace of the Republic of Moldova.[50]
    • On 31 October 2022, remains of a Kalibr missile reportedly shot down by Ukrainian air defence crashed in Moldova.[51]
  • On 20 March 2023, Ukraine claimed Russian Kalibr cruise missiles had been involved in an explosion in the north of annexed Crimea. Ukraine announced the explosions but, as is normal, did not explicitly say it was behind the attack.[52]

Variants

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Domestic variants are basic versions of this missile family; these are the 3M54, 3M51, 3M14 and 91R variants. The export model is called Club (formerly Klub). There are two major launch platforms: the Kalibr-PL (export Club-S), designed for use from submarines, and the Kalibr-NK (export Club-N), designed for surface ships. These two launch platforms can be equipped with the following warhead and guidance combinations:[53]

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Domestic variants

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Name Length Warhead Range Launch platform Target type User Notes Ref.
3M54K 8.22 m (27.0 ft) 200 kg (440 lb) 550–660 km (340–410 mi) Submarine Surface ship Russian Navy [citation needed]
3M54T 8.9 m (29 ft) Surface ship VLS-launched; Thrust vectoring booster
3M14K (SS-N-30A) 6.2 m (20 ft) 450 kg (990 lb) 2,500 km (1,600 mi) Submarine Land Mach 0.8; inertial guidance
3M14T 8.9 m (29 ft) Surface ship VLS-launched; Thrust vectoring booster
Kalibr-M 4,500 km (2,800 mi) ship, submarine, air, and land-launched Under development [54]

Export variants

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Name Length Warhead Range Launch platform Target type Notes Ref.
Club-S[55]
3M-54E 6.2 m (20 ft) 200 kg (440 lb) 300 km (190 mi) Submarine Surface ship [citation needed]
3M-54E1 Sea-skimming; Terminal speed: Mach 0.8
3M-14E 450 kg (990 lb) Land
Club-N[55]
3M-54TE 8.9 m (29 ft) 200 kg (440 lb) 300 km (190 mi) Surface ship Surface ship Thrust vectoring booster [citation needed]
3M-54TE1 Sea-skimming; Terminal speed: Mach 0.8; Thrust vectoring booster
3M-14TE 450 kg (990 lb) Land inertial guidance; Thrust vectoring booster
Club-T
3M-54E2 450 kg (990 lb) Land Surface ship Weight: 1,700 kg (3,700 lb); CEP: 50 m (160 ft); Cruise speed: 240 m/s (Mach 0.71) [5]
3M-14E1 Land
Club-A
3M-54AE 200 kg (440 lb) 300 km (190 mi) Air-launched Surface ship Terminal: Supersonic speed [citation needed]
3M-54AE1
3M-14AE 6.2 m (20 ft) 450 kg (990 lb) Land Weight: 1,400 kg (3,100 lb); Inertial navigation system; Satellite navigation

Operators

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Map of Kalibr operators

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Russia's Futuristic Military Plagued by Old Problems
  2. ^ a b c d Game changer: Russian sub-launched cruise missiles bring strategic effect. Jane's Information Group.
  3. ^ "صواريخ روسية غيرت مفهوم المعركة وأخافت العالم" [Russian missiles changed the concept of the battle frightened the world]. YouTube (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 2021-12-15.
  4. ^ "ЦАМТО / Новости / Сводка боевых действий ВКС России в Сирии за 8 декабря". armstrade.org. Retrieved Feb 18, 2019.
  5. ^ a b "Defexpo 2020: Almaz-Antey upgrades Club-T cruise missile system". Jane's Information Group. 6 February 2020. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  6. ^ a b Sokov on Russian Cruise Missiles – Armscontrolwonk.com, 25 August 2015
  7. ^ "Вести недели / Эфир от 11.10.2015" [Vesti nedeli/Stream from 11.10.2015]. russia.tv (in Russian). Archived from the original on 18 November 2015. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
  8. ^ "Janes | Latest defence and security news".
  9. ^ "Russia's Kalibr cruise missile finetuned after Syria campaign – Shoigu".
  10. ^ Stott, Michael (2010-04-26). "Deadly new Russian weapon hides in shipping container". Reuters. Retrieved 2016-12-19.
  11. ^ "MAKS: Russian firm debuts shipping container-housed cruise missiles". Flight Global. Retrieved 2011-08-23.
  12. ^ "ЦКБ МТ Рубин: Amur 950".
  13. ^ "Kalibr cruise missiles strike IS targets in Syria". Oct 7, 2015. Archived from the original on 2021-12-15. Retrieved Feb 18, 2019 – via YouTube.
  14. ^ Aji, Albert; Vasilyeva, Nataliya (7 October 2015). "Russia fires cruise missiles from warships into Syria". Yahoo News. Associated Press. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  15. ^ U.S.: Several Russian cruise missiles landed in Iran – Militarytimes.com, 8 October 2015
  16. ^ "Russia, Iran Deny US Claims of Cruise Missiles Crashing on Iran". News From Antiwar.com. 8 October 2015. Retrieved 2015-10-20.
  17. ^ "Russia denies missiles aimed at Syria landed in Iran". the Guardian. 9 October 2015. Retrieved 2015-10-20.
  18. ^ Russia Refutes Pentagon Claims Some Caspian Strike Missiles Failed Over Iran – News.USNI.org, 9 October 2015
  19. ^ "Russian Caspian Sea Flotilla launches Kalibr missiles". Nov 20, 2015. Archived from the original on 2021-12-15. Retrieved Feb 18, 2019 – via YouTube.
  20. ^ "YouTube". www.youtube.com. Archived from the original on 2016-05-05. Retrieved Feb 18, 2019.
  21. ^ "Kalibr vs ISIS compound". Nov 23, 2015. Archived from the original on 2021-12-15. Retrieved Feb 18, 2019 – via YouTube.
  22. ^ "Syria – Russian submarine "Rostov-on-Don" launches missiles at Raqqa – December 2015". Dec 9, 2015. Archived from the original on 2021-12-15. Retrieved Feb 18, 2019 – via YouTube.
  23. ^ "Russia fires Kalibr missiles at IS positions from sub deployed in the Mediterranean". TASS. Retrieved Feb 18, 2019.
  24. ^ "Russia: Mossad, other foreign agents killed in Aleppo strike". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 2016-09-22.
  25. ^ "YouTube". www.youtube.com. Archived from the original on 2017-08-18. Retrieved Feb 18, 2019.
  26. ^ "Terrorist positions hit with cruise missiles from Russian frigate 'Admiral Grigorovich' – MoD". Nov 15, 2016. Archived from the original on 2021-12-15. Retrieved Feb 18, 2019 – via YouTube.
  27. ^ "YouTube". www.youtube.com. Archived from the original on 2020-03-11. Retrieved Feb 18, 2019.
  28. ^ "Russian warships fire cruise missiles at Isil targets near Palmyra". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 2022-01-12. Retrieved 2017-05-31.
  29. ^ "Russia fires cruise missiles at IS targets in Syria". BBC News. 2017-05-31. Retrieved 2017-05-31.
  30. ^ "Удар крылатыми ракетами "Калибр" по объектам ИГИЛ в Сирии кораблями ВМФ РФ в Средиземном море". Jun 23, 2017. Retrieved Feb 18, 2019 – via YouTube.
  31. ^ "Russian warships fire Kalibr missiles, destroy ISIS arms depots in Syria". www.rbth.com. Jun 23, 2017. Archived from the original on December 15, 2018. Retrieved Feb 18, 2019.
  32. ^ "Удар крылатыми ракетами "Калибр" по объектам ИГИЛ в Сирии кораблями ВМФ РФ в Средиземном море". Ministry of Defence (Russia). 2017-06-23.
  33. ^ "Russian warships fire Kalibr cruise missiles, destroy IS arms depots in Syria". TASS. 2017-06-23.
  34. ^ "Russian submarine, frigates hit ISIS from Mediterranean, again". navaltoday.com. 2017-06-23.
  35. ^ "Veliky Novgorod and Kolpino submarines fired the Kalibr cruise missiles from submerged position against the ISIS critical objects in Syria : Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation".
  36. ^ "Пуск крылатых ракет "Калибр" по объектам террористов в Сирии с подводной лодки "Великий Новгород"". Russian MOD. 2017-09-22. Archived from the original on 2021-12-15.
  37. ^ "Нанесение ударов по террористам в Сирии из акватории Средиземного моря подводными лодками ЧФ". Russian MOD. 2017-10-05. Archived from the original on 2021-12-15.
  38. ^ "Поражение объектов террористов комплексами "Калибр"". Russian MOD. 2017-10-05. Archived from the original on 2021-12-15.
  39. ^ "Russia targets ISIS with Kalibr cruise missiles". Missile Threat. Nov 3, 2017. Retrieved Feb 18, 2019.
  40. ^ "Tu-22M3 bombers and submarine Kolpino hit ISIS infrastructure near Abu Kamal : Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation".
  41. ^ "Russian cruise missiles kill at least 30 Syrian rebels after jet fighter downed". USA Today. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  42. ^ "Kalibr: Russia's Very Own 'Tomahawk' Cruise Missiles Is Hitting Ukraine". 19fortyfive.com. 8 March 2022.
  43. ^ Newdick, Thomas (24 February 2022). "These Are The Standoff Missiles Russia Used To Open Its War Against Ukraine". The Drive. Retrieved 2022-03-07.
  44. ^ "Ukraine reports fresh air, cruise missile strikes". Reuters. 2022-02-26. Retrieved 2022-02-26.
  45. ^ Max Hunder (2022-07-14). "Twenty killed, dozens hurt in Russian missile strike on central Ukraine - Zelenskiy". Reuters. Retrieved 2022-07-14.
  46. ^ "Outrage as Russian missiles strike Odesa port one day after grain export deal agreed". cnn.com. 23 July 2022.
  47. ^ "Russia launches Kalibr cruise missiles on Ukraine from the Black Sea". navyrecognition.com. 12 September 2022.
  48. ^ "Russia's missile strike on Thermal Power Plant in Kharkiv Oblast is an "act of desperation" following immense losses and retreat – Ukraine's Foreign Ministry". pravda.com.ua. 12 September 2022.
  49. ^ "Almost 50% of Ukraine's energy system disabled by missile attacks". pravda.com. 18 November 2022.
  50. ^ "Russian missiles violated Moldova's airspace, Foreign Minister says". aerotime.aero. 10 October 2022.
  51. ^ "Video: Russian missile shot down by Ukraine falls in Moldova". aerotime.aero. 31 October 2022.
  52. ^ "Ukraine says Russian missiles destroyed in Crimea". bbc.com. 20 March 2023.
  53. ^ Jane's Weapons: Naval 2012–2013, Janes Information Group, 2012, p. 13
  54. ^ "New Kalibr-M cruise missile with range of over 4,500 km in development in Russia – source – Military & Defense – TASS".
  55. ^ a b Jane's Weapons: Naval 2012–2013, Janes Information Group, 2012, p. 15
  56. ^ "Advanced anti-ship cruise missile systems enter service with Russian Navy". TASS. Retrieved Feb 18, 2019.
  57. ^ Pandit, Rajat (August 4, 2008). "India to acquire new undersea cruise missiles". The Times of India. Archived from the original on October 21, 2012. Retrieved 2008-08-04.
  58. ^ Vietnam Buys Deadly New Missiles Capable of Hitting China – Thediplomat.com, 30 April 2015
  59. ^ Newsweek, article "China's Carrier Killers", Oct. 4, 2010
  60. ^ Strategy Page, article Iranian Submarine Launched Missiles, Aug. 30, 2006
  61. ^ NTI, article Iran Submarine Import and Export Behavior | NTI Iran Submarine Import and Export Behavior], Aug. 8, 2012
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