NPO Mashinostroyenia (NPO Mash)unveiled the Yakhont-M supersonic cruise missile at the MAKS show.
Sharing elements with the PJ-10 being created by Russian-Indian 50/50 joint venture BrahMos for India and exports, the Yakhont-M is a part of the Alfa next-generation airborne reconnaissance and strike system aimed at Russian air force needs, but also available for export.
The PJ-10 is under test as a ship/ aircraft/ground-launch weapon, while the Yakhont-M is an air-launched missile. It is intended for the Sukhoi Su-30 family of multirole fighters, Su-32 (formerly Su-27IB) and Su-24M (mod) strike aircraft.
NPO Mash says the Yakhont-M hasmulti-sensor guidance that allows it to engage surface ships and ground targets at up to 300km (160nm). The missile maintains high supersonic speed during flight.
The Alfa reconnaissance-strike system would include Kondor reconnaissance and target lightweight low-Earth-orbit radar and electro-optical-sensor equipped satellites under development for launch using the Strela lightweight launch vehicle from the Svobodny cosmodrome in Russia's far east.
Source: Flight International
