Kh-25#Variants

Based on an air-to-air missile, the beam-riding Kh-66 had been the Soviet Union's first air-to-ground missile for tactical aircraft, entering service in 1968. However it proved difficult to use in practice as the launch aircraft had to dive towards the target. A version with radio-command guidance, the Kh-23, was first tested in 1968 but problems with the guidance system meant that it would not enter service for another five years.{{citation |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=l-DzknmTgDUC&pg=PA235 |title=The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapons Systems |first=Norman |last=Friedman |publisher=Naval Institute Press |year=1997 |isbn=978-1-55750-268-1 |page=235}} So in 1971 work began on a version with a semi-active laser seeker, which became the Kh-25.{{citation |url=http://eng.ktrv.ru/docs/history_eng.doc |format=Word 97 DOC |pages=4–6 |title=History of JSC Tactical Missile Corporation |access-date=2009-02-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727014325/http://eng.ktrv.ru/docs/history_eng.doc |archive-date=2011-07-27 |url-status=dead }} This was initially known in the West as the Kh-23L.{{citation|url=http://www.janes.com/extracts/extract/jalw/jalw2915.html |title=Kh-23, Kh-66 Grom (AS-7 'Kerry') |journal=Jane's Air-Launched Weapons |date=2008-08-01|access-date=2009-02-07}} {{dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}} State testing began on 24 November 1974, and the Kh-25 entered production in 1975.

Work began on an anti-radar missile derived from the Kh-66{{citation|url=http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-Air-Launched-Weapons/Kh-25MP-Kh-25MPU-AS-12-Kegler-Russian-Federation.html |title=Kh-25MP, Kh-25MPU (AS-12 'Kegler') |journal=Jane's Air-Launched Weapons |date=2008-08-01|access-date=2009-02-07}} in 1972, using a passive radar seeker and SUR-73 autopilot. The long-range Kh-31 anti-radar missile came out of the same project. The Kh-27 began state testing on a MiG-27 on 8 August 1975 but did not enter service until 2 September 1980. It was assigned the NATO reporting name AS-12 'Kegler' and in effect it replaced the much heavier Kh-28 (AS-9 'Kyle').

In 1973 Victor Bugaiskii was appointed head engineer of the bureau and he started work on combining the Kh-23M, Kh-25 and Kh-27 into a single modular system to reduce costs and improve tactical flexibility. The Kh-27 missile was chosen as a basis, due to its more powerful rocket engine and new autopilot.{{cite magazine|last=Angielskiy |first=Rostislav |title=«Zvyezda» sniala v Korolevye |magazine= Tekhnika i Vooruzheniye|issue= 7/2005|date=July 2005|pages=32|language=ru}} This was completed by the end of 1978, resulting in the Kh-25MP (anti-radar), Kh-25ML (laser-guided) and Kh-25MR (radio-guided) family. NATO continued to refer to these as the AS-12 and AS-10 respectively, even though they could now be switched by a simple change of seeker head.

The Kh-25 is very similar to the later version of the Kh-23 Grom, with cruciform canards and fins.

The Kh-25MP has two versions of its homing head, 1VP and 2VP, sensitive to different frequencies.{{cite web |url=http://eng.ktrv.ru/production_eng/323/511/369/ |title=Kh-25MP |publisher=Tactical Missiles Corporation |year=2004 |access-date=2009-02-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928104205/http://eng.ktrv.ru/production_eng/323/511/369/ |archive-date=2007-09-28 |url-status=dead }}

The original Kh-25 entered service with the Soviet Air Force between 1973-5, equipping the MiG-23, MiG-27 and Su-17M.{{citation|url=http://www.janes.com/extracts/extract/jalw/jalw2917.html |title=Kh-25 (AS-10 'Karen') |journal=Jane's Air-Launched Weapons |date=2008-08-01 |access-date=2009-02-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090612233016/http://www.janes.com/extracts/extract/jalw/jalw2917.html |archive-date=June 12, 2009 }} Since then it has been cleared for use on the MiG-21, MiG-29, Sukhoi Su-17/20/22 family, Sukhoi Su-24, Su-25 and Su-27. It can also be carried by attack helicopters such as the Kamov Ka-50.

The Kh-25MP can be fitted to the MiG-23/27, Su-17/22, Su-24 and Su-25.

Starting in April 1986, during the second Battle of Zhawar, Kh-25MLs were used by Soviet Su-25 Frogfoots from the 378th OShAP (Independent Shturmovik Aviation Regiment) to attack Mujahideen cave entrances used as shelters and weapons storage facilities. Attacks were carried out from up to 4.5 nm (8 km).{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wsWcAwAAQBAJ&q=Kh-29+afghanistan+1987&pg=PA49|title=Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot|isbn=9781782003595|access-date=14 November 2014|last1=Miladenov|first1=Alexander|date=17 September 2013|publisher=Bloomsbury USA }}

During the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, on August 2, 1990 an Iraqi Air Force Sukhoi Su-22 from the No.109 Squadron (based at as-Shoibiyah AB) fired a single Kh-25MP anti-radar variant against a Kuwaiti MIM-23B I-HAWK SAM site at Bubiyan Island that had earlier downed another Su-22 from the same unit and a MiG-23BN from the 49th Squadron. This forced a radar shutdown on the HAWK. The HAWK battery (which was operated by some American contractors) was later captured by Iraqi special forces and found out to be in automatic mode of operation, after the contractors fled.{{cite web |last1=Cooper |first1=Tom |last2=Sadik (IrAF) |first2=Brig. Gen. Ahmad |title=Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait; 1990 |website=ACIG.org |access-date=12 May 2024 |url=http://www.acig.info/CMS/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=68&Itemid=47 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714122134/http://www.acig.info/CMS/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=68&Itemid=47 |archive-date=14 July 2014 |date=26 August 2007}}

Russian Air Force Su-25s employed the Kh-25 in its two Chechen campaigns for attacks on fixed positions, such as mortars and bunkers. However, their usage wasn't extensive in relation to those of unguided bombs and rockets. The use of precision-guided munitions allowed air support in areas too dangerous for attack helicopters. Their use was not widespread in the First War as was in the Second, mainly due to differences in weather conditions and, probably, the need to keep a strategic reserve of stockpiles shortly after the fall of the USSR.{{cite web |author1=Major Robert D. Evans, USAF |title=Russian Airpower in the Second Chechen War |url=http://www.dtic.mil/get-tr-doc/pdf?AD=ADA391341 |publisher=Defense Technical Information Center |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170614100710/http://www.dtic.mil/get-tr-doc/pdf?AD=ADA391341 |archive-date=2017-06-14 |date=2001-01-05}}

Laser-guided Kh-25s were employed by Su-24 swing wing strike aircraft against anti-Assad rebels in Syria.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}}

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File:Vietnamese Su-22M4 with Kh-25s.jpg Sukhoi Su-22M4 with a pair of Kh-25MP ARM.]]

NATO refers to all of the Kh-25 family as AS-10 'Karen' apart from the anti-radar variants. An "M" designation stands for "Modulnaya" – modular (seeker head).

• Kh-25 (Izdeliye 71, Kh-23L) – original laser-guided variant
• Kh-25ML – semi-active laser guidance with tandem warhead that can penetrate {{convert|1|m|in|0}} of concrete{{citation|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4S3h8j_NEmkC&pg=PA838 |title=The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapon Systems |edition=5|first=Norman |last=Friedman |publisher=Naval Institute Press |year=2006 |isbn=978-1-55750-262-9 |page=838}}
• Kh-25MA – active radar guidance, first offered for export in 1999
• Kh-25MAE – Kh-25MA update announced for export in August 2005 with Ka-band seeker, probably Phazotron's PSM which can detect a tank at {{convert|4000|m|yd|abbr=on|sigfig=3}} and which can also be used on the Kh-25MA
• Kh-25MS – satellite navigation (GPS or GLONASS)
• Kh-25MSE – export version of Kh-25MS, announced August 2005
• Kh-25MT – TV guidance
• Kh-25MTP – infra-red guidance variant of Kh-25MT
• Kh-25R/Kh-25MR – Radio-command guidance variant, it has a bigger {{convert |140|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}} warhead.
• Kh-27 (Kh-27/M, AS-12 'Kegler') – original anti-radiation missile
• Kh-25MP (AS-12 'Kegler') – modular anti-radiation variant
• Kh-25MPU (AS-12 'Kegler') – Updated Kh-25MP

Training rounds have "U" designations, so, e.g., for the Kh-25ML there is:

• Kh-25MUL – combat training Kh-25ML{{cite web |url=http://eng.ktrv.ru/production_eng/323/513/367/ |title=Kh-25ML |publisher=Tactical Missiles Corporation |year=2004 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928104131/http://eng.ktrv.ru/production_eng/323/513/367/ |archive-date=2007-09-28 }}
• Kh-25ML-UD – functional training missile
• Kh-25ML-UR – sectional training missile

File:Kh-25 operators.png

• {{ALG}}{{sfn|IISS|2024|page=344}}
• {{BLR}}{{sfn|IISS|2024|page=183}}
• {{BUL}}{{sfn|IISS|2024|page=78}}
• {{CHN}}{{Cite journal |title=Tactical Missiles Corporation Missile Exportation Since 1992 |journal=Moscow Defense Brief |url=https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/94687/2008_4.pdf |issue=4/2008 |page=26}}
• {{ETH}} − Ethiopian Air Force, Kh-25ML on the Su-25{{cite web |last1=Mitzer |first1=Stijn |last2=Oliemans |first2=Joost |title=Tankovy Busters: Su-25TK Attack Aircraft In Ethiopian Service |url=https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2021/08/tankovy-busters-russian-su-25tk-attack.html |website=Oryx |date=26 August 2021}}
• {{IRN}} − Kh-25 and Kh-25ML variants used{{sfn|IISS|2024|page=356}}
• {{PRK}}{{sfn|IISS|2024|page=284}}
• {{KAZ}}{{sfn|IISS|2024|page=187}}
• {{POL}}{{sfn|IISS|2024|page=127}}
• {{SYR}}{{sfn|IISS|2024|page=387}}
• {{UKR}}{{sfn|IISS|2024|page=213}} − Used on Su-24M bombers{{cite news |last1=Newdick |first1=Thomas |title=Ukrainian Su-24 Back In The Fight And Armed With A Laser-Guided Missile |url=https://www.twz.com/ukrainian-su-24-back-in-the-fight-and-armed-with-a-laser-guided-missile |access-date=12 May 2024 |work=The War Zone |date=10 August 2022 |language=en}}{{cite news |title=Ukrainian Air Force Probably Use Rare Soviet Kh-25 Missiles With Su-24M Aircraft |url=https://en.defence-ua.com/news/ukrainian_air_force_probably_use_rare_soviet_kh_25_missiles_with_su_24m_aircraft-9712.html |access-date=12 May 2024 |work=Defense Express |date=3 March 2024 |language=en}}
• {{UZB}}{{sfn|IISS|2024|page=216}}

• {{flag|Afghanistan|1980}} − Kh-25ML and Kh-25MP delivered between 1988 and 1989{{cite web |title=Arms transfer database |url=https://armstransfers.sipri.org/ArmsTransfer/TransferRegister |website=SIPRI |publisher=Stockholm International Peace Research Institute |access-date=12 May 2024}}
• {{CZS}} − Kh-25MR, Kh-25ML, and Kh-25MP variants
• {{GDR}} − Kh-25MP
• {{HUN}} − Kh-25ML and Kh-25MP variants
• {{IND}} − Kh-25MLT used on MiG-23BN and MiG-27
• {{flag|Iraq|1963}}
• {{flag|Libya|1977}}
• {{ROM}} − Kh-25MP
• {{RUS}} − Replaced by the Kh-38M{{sfn|IISS|2024|page=170}}
• {{USSR}} − Passed on to successor states
• {{VNM}} − Vietnam People's Air Force used Kh-25 variants with the Sukhoi Su-22 and the Su-30MK2 as late as 2014{{Cite web |last=Quang Minh |date=2014-06-10 |title=Kh-25 - Tên lửa đối đất chủ lực của Su-22 Việt Nam |trans-title=Kh-25 - the backbone anti-surface missile of Vietnamese Su-22 |url=https://soha.vn/news-20140610144751653.htm |access-date=2023-06-20 |website=Soha |language=vi}}

• Kh-23M (AS-7 'Kerry') – predecessor to the Kh-25 had some technology "backported" from the Kh-25
• Kh-29 (AS-14 'Kedge') – 320 kg warhead; semi-active laser, IIR, passive radar and TV guidance with 10–30 km range
• Kh-59 (AS-13 'Kingbolt') – longer range missile with heavier warhead and TV guidance
• Kh-38 – successor to the Kh-25
• AGM-65 Maverick – similar lightweight missile in US service which has seen numerous guidance and warhead variants
• AGM-45 Shrike – US equivalent to the Kh-25MP anti-radar missile

• {{cite book |last1=International Institute for Strategic Studies |title=The Military Balance 2024 |date=2024 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-1-040-05115-3 |language=en |ref={{SfnRef|IISS|2024}} |author1-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies }}

{{reflist}}

• {{Citation|last=Gordon|first=Yefim|title=Soviet/Russian Aircraft Weapons Since World War Two|year=2004|location=Hinckley, England|publisher=Midland Publishing|isbn=1-85780-188-1}}

• [http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/missile/row/as-10.htm Zvezda Kh-25 (AS-10 Karen)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304051639/http://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/missile/row/as-10.htm |date=2016-03-04 }} FAS
• [http://www.ausairpower.net/APA-Rus-ASM.html Soviet/Russian Tactical Air - Surface Missiles]

{{Russian and Soviet missiles|ASM}}

{{Russian and Soviet military designation sequences}}

Category:Cold War air-to-surface missiles of the Soviet Union

Kh-025

Kh-025

Category:Tactical Missiles Corporation products

Category:Anti-radiation missiles of the Cold War

Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1970s