“The Stealth and Power of the Russian Kh-101 Cruise Missile”

JAKARTA – The Kh-101 is a cruise missile owned by Russia stealth capable. Of the many weapons that Moscow has, this missile is one of its mainstays.

In its war with Ukraine, Russia also deployed this cruise missile. Most recently, in early May 2023, the Kh-101 was reported to have hit Kiev’s air defense infrastructure.

Russian Kh-101 Stealth Cruise Missile

The Kh-101 was developed as a replacement cruise missile for the aging ALCM Kh-55 and Kh-555. Its own planning took place in the late 1980s until full-scale expansion around 1995.

Quoting the EurAsian Times page, Friday (5/5/2023), the Kh-101 is a low-observable cruise missile that has an operational range of up to 4,500 kilometers.

In terms of weight, this weapon is estimated to weigh up to 2,400 kg which includes a 400 kg warhead.

Looking at its history, the Kh-101 carries the development of stealth Air Launched Cruise Missiles (ACLM). Its first launch took place in 1998.

As a stealth cruise missile, the Kh-101 is designed to defeat enemy air defense systems by flying at low altitudes. This is done to avoid the radar system.

Not only traveling at low altitude under infrared systems, the Kh-101 utilizes a radar-absorbing composite material that makes it even more difficult to detect.

In operation, this Russian cruise missile can be carried by modernized Tu-160M ​​and Tu-95MSM bombers. Its warhead includes high explosive power.

(bim)