Kh-29

Design started in the late 1970s at the Molniya design bureau in Ukrainian SSR on what would be their only air-to-ground munition, but when they moved exclusively to space work Vympel took over development of the Kh-29. The first firing of the missile took place in 1976 and after extensive trials the Kh-29 was accepted into service in 1980.

The basic aerodynamic layout of the Kh-29 is similar to the Molniya R-60 (AA-8 'Aphid'), reflecting Molniya's heritage in air-to-air missiles. The laser guidance head came from the Kh-25 (AS-10 'Karen') and the TV guidance from the Kh-59 (AS-13 'Kingbolt'), mated to a large warhead.{{citation |url=http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-Electro-Optic-Systems/Vympel-Kh-29-AS-14-Kedge-Russian-Federation.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130126190320/http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-Electro-Optic-Systems/Vympel-Kh-29-AS-14-Kedge-Russian-Federation.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-01-26 |title=Vympel Kh-29 (AS-14 'Kedge') |journal=Jane's Electro-Optic Systems |date=2008-09-04 |access-date=2009-02-06}}

It has been compared to the United States' AGM-65 Maverick, but the AGM-65 is a much smaller missile than the Kh-29, and weighs less than half as much.

Compared to the AGM-65 Maverick, the Kh-29 has a 20% higher top speed (1,150 km/h vs 1,470 km/h) and a much bigger warhead (320 kg vs 136 kg).{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}

The Kh-29 entered service with the Soviet Air Force in 1980, and has been widely exported since.

The Kh-29L was used by Sukhoi Su-34 and Su-24 aircraft in the 2015 Russian military intervention in the Syrian Civil War.{{cite news |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-mideast-crisis-syria-russia-missile-idUKKCN0RY09820151004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114153120/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-mideast-crisis-syria-russia-missile-idUKKCN0RY09820151004 |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 January 2016 |title=Russian air force using laser-guided KH-29L missiles in Syria – RIA |author=Polina Devitt |publisher=Reuters |date=4 October 2015 |access-date=7 October 2015}}

Kh-29 missiles were supplied to Libya in the 1980s for use on the Libyan Air Force's Su-24s. These aircraft have all been destroyed during the 2011 NATO-led intervention, and no other aircraft in the Libyan arsenal could use these missiles. Hence, they have been transformed into unguided surface-to-surface rockets, launched from modified trucks and with their fins and ailerons at the front and back removed for a somewhat more stable flight path. They were used by National Salvation Government forces around Tripoli in 2014, during the Second Libyan Civil War (they were seized from Ghardabiya Air Base depots).{{cite web |last1=Mitzer |first1=Stijn |last2=Oliemans |first2=Joost |title=Kh-29 Air-To-Surface Missiles Used As Unguided Rockets In Libya |url=https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2014/08/kh-29-air-to-surface-missiles-used-as.html |website=Oryx Blog |access-date=17 February 2022 |date=18 August 2014}}

=== 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine ===

The Kh-29 missile has possibly seen limited use in the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, being fired from Su-34 aircraft.{{cite tweet|number=1518719872133472257|user=RALee85|title=Video of a Russian Su-34 bomber reportedly launching a Kh-29 air-to-ground missile while popping flares.…|date=25 April 2022}}Bronk, J. (2023, April). Russian combat air strengths and Limitations. CNA. Retrieved April 27, 2023, from https://www.cna.org/reports/2023/04/russian-combat-air-strengths-and-limitations p.10.

• Kh-29L (Izdeliye 63, 'Kedge-A') uses a semi-active laser seeker and has a range of 8–10 km.
• Kh-29ML is an upgraded version of the Kh-29L.{{citation | url=http://www.janes.com/extracts/extract/jalw/jalw2921.html | title=Kh-29 (AS-14 'Kedge') | journal = Jane's Air-Launched Weapons | date=2008-08-06 }} {{dead link|date=May 2010}}
• Kh-29T (Izdeliye 64, 'Kedge-B') is the TV-guided version, which is fitted with automatic optical homing to a distinguishable object indicated by the pilot.
• Kh-29TE{{cite web|title=Kh-29TE|website=Rosoboronexport|url=http://roe.ru/eng/catalog/aerospace-systems/air-to-air-missile/kh-29te/}} is a long-range (30 km) development of the Kh-29T.{{citation|title=AEROSPACE SYSTEMS export catalogue |url=http://www.rusarm.ru/cataloque/air_craft/aircraft.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071030213111/http://www.rusarm.ru/cataloque/air_craft/aircraft.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-10-30 |publisher=Rosoboronexport State Corporation |last=Rosoboronexport Air Force Department and Media & PR Service |page=122 }} The minimum range is 3 km; launch altitude is 200–10,000 m.
• Kh-29MP is a variant that uses active radar homing, making it a fire-and-forget weapon. It has a 250 kg warhead and a 12 km range.
• Kh-29D is the fourth variant of the Kh-29TE which uses imaging infrared guidance.

File:Kh-29 operators.png

• {{ALG}}: Algerian Air Force{{cite web|url=http://www.waronline.org/mideast/algir.htm |title=Вооруженные силы Алжира |access-date=2013-10-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131018040128/http://www.waronline.org/mideast/algir.htm |archive-date=2013-10-18 }}
• {{BLR}}: Belarusian Air Force on its modernized MiG-29BMs.{{cite web |first=Michal A. |last=Fiszer |url=http://edefense.blogspot.com/2005/12/25-years-of-service-of-russian-kh-29.html |title=25 years of service of Russian Kh-29 missile |publisher=Situational Awareness |access-date=2008-09-07 |archive-date=22 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522112307/http://edefense.blogspot.com/2005/12/25-years-of-service-of-russian-kh-29.html |url-status=dead }} Written by Polish former Su-22 pilot
• {{BUL}}: Bulgarian Air Force on its Su-22M4s, which were withdrawn from service in 2004.{{citation needed|date=February 2022}} Also used on Su-25s.
• {{CHN}}: People's Liberation Army Air Force – received 2,000 Kh-29Ts in 2002{{citation |first=Bill |last=Gertz |title=China test-fires new air-to-air missile; Taiwan likely to get upgraded arms |newspaper=The Washington Times |date=2002-07-01 |page=A1}} for use on their Su-27SKs, Su-27UBKs, Su-30MKKs, Shenyang J-11s and possibly their JH-7s and Q-5s.{{citation|first=Richard D. Jr. |last=Fisher |title=The Impact Of Foreign Weapons And Technology On The Modernization Of China's People's Liberation Army |pages=4–2C |url=http://www.uscc.gov/researchpapers/2004/04fisher_report/7airforcesystems.htm |date=January 2004 |publisher=US-China Economic and Security Review Commission |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070429145750/http://www.uscc.gov/researchpapers/2004/04fisher_report/7airforcesystems.htm |archive-date=2007-04-29 }}
• {{ETH}}: Ethiopian Air Force, Kh-29T on its Su-25TKs{{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}}
• {{GEO}}: Georgian Air Force on its Su-25KM Scorpions{{cite web|url=http://geo-army.ge/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=39&Itemid=9&lang=en|title=Fighter SU-25KM (Scorpion)|access-date=23 December 2014}}
• {{IND}}: Indian Air Force on its Su-30MKIs and Indian Navy on its MiG-29Ks.{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/mig-29k.htm|title=MiG-29K FULCRUM|author=John Pike|publisher=GlobalSecurity|access-date=23 December 2014}}
• {{INA}}: the Indonesian Air Force uses the Kh-29TE on its Su-30MK2s2011 Annual Report of Tactical Missile Corporation, {{cite web|url=http://bmpd.livejournal.com/290141.html |title=BMPD - Портфель экспортных заказов КТРВ |access-date=2013-07-31 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120821071032/http://bmpd.livejournal.com/290141.html |archive-date=2012-08-21 }}{{cite web |first=Gita |last=Irawan |url=https://www.tribunnews.com/nasional/2021/04/20/ksau-apresiasi-keberhasilan-tes-rudal-kh-29te-dari-pesawat-sukhoi-tni-au |title=KSAU Apresiasi Keberhasilan Tes Rudal KH-29TE dari Pesawat Sukhoi TNI AU |publisher=Tribunnews |access-date=2021-04-21}}
• {{IRI}}: Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force on its Su-24s
• {{flag|Kazakhstan}}{{cite book |last1=Gordon |first1=Yefim |last2=Komissarov |first2=Dmitriy |title=Mikoyan MiG-23 & MiG-27 |date=2019 |publisher=Crécy Publishing |location=Manchester |isbn=978-1-91080-931-0 |page=403}}
• {{PRK}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/photo-north-korean-fighter-jet-missile-after-kim-base-visit-2020-4|title = Rare photo of North Korean fighter jet firing air-to-air missile emerges after Kim Jong Un visits air base|website = Business Insider}}
• {{flag|Libya|2011}}: National Salvation Government
• {{MYS}}: Royal Malaysian Air Force used on its Su-30MKMs{{cite web |title=Trade Registers |url=https://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php |website=Stockholm International Peace Research Institute |access-date=1 June 2023}}
• {{PER}}: Peruvian Air Force{{cite news |last1=Tincopa |first1=Amaru |title=MiG-29 over the skies of the condor |url=https://indd.adobe.com/view/94bd0a2c-a935-4b3a-8100-3f109fe86d94 |work=Revista Pucará |issue=10 |date=November-December 2021 |page=26}}
• {{POL}}: Polish Air Force on its Su-22M4s.
• {{RUS}}: Russian Aerospace Forces
• {{SRB}}: Serbian Air Force, Kh-29TE on the MiG-29SM{{cite web |last1=Banković |first1=Živojin |title=Kako je lovac postao višenamenski borbeni avion: Detalji novog naoružanja na premijeri modernizovanih MiG-ova 29SM |url=https://tangosix.rs/2022/03/05/kako-je-lovac-postao-visenamenski-borbeni-avion-detalji-novog-naoruzanja-na-premijeri-modernizovanih-mig-ova-29sm/ |website=tangosix.rs |date=3 May 2022}}
• {{SYR}}: Syrian Air Force{{cite web |last1=Mitzer |first1=Stijn |last2=Oliemans |first2=Joost |title=The Syrian Arab Air Force - Beware of its Wings |url=https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2015/01/the-syrian-arab-air-force-beware-of-its.html |website=Oryx Blog |access-date=17 February 2022 |date=15 January 2015}}
• {{UKR}}: Ukrainian Air Force
• {{VEN}}{{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=27}}
• {{VIE}}
• {{YEM}}: Yemeni Air Force on its MiG-29s{{cite book |last1=Cooper |first1=Tom |title=Hot Skies Over Yemen, Volume 2 |date=2018 |publisher=Helion & Company Publishing |location=Warwick |isbn=978-1-911628-18-7 |page=14}}

• {{CZS}}: Czechoslovak Air Force – passed onto successor states
• {{GDR}}: East German Air Force
• {{GER}}: Phased out after German reunification
• {{HUN}}: Hungarian Air Force on Su-22M3s
• {{flag|Iraq|1963}}: Iraqi Air Force{{cite book |last1=Cooper |first1=Tom |last2=Sipos |first2=Milos |title=Iraqi Mirages. The Dassault Mirage Family in Service with the Iraqi Air Force, 1981-1988 |publisher=Helion & Company Publishing |year=2019 |isbn=978-1-912-390311 |page=75}}
• {{flag|Libyan Arab Jamahiriya|1977}}: Libyan Air Force – Left without launch platforms after all Su-24s were destroyed in the civil war and subsequent NATO bombings. Subsequently used in a surface-to-surface role.
• {{SVK}}: Slovak Air Force – Su-22M4s
• {{USSR}}: Soviet Air Force – passed on to successor states

• Kh-25 (AS-10/12 'Karen/Kegler') – 320 kg missile with 90 kg warhead and 10–25 km range
• AGM-65 Maverick – 200–300 kg missile with 57–135 kg warhead and 27 km range
• AGM-62 Walleye I – 1967 US glide bomb delivering 385 kg warhead over 30 km.

{{Commons category|Vympel Kh-29}}

{{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}}

{{Russian and Soviet Aircraft Ordnance}}

{{Russian and Soviet military designation sequences}}

{{Russian and Soviet missiles|ASM}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}

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

Kh-029

Category:Vympel NPO products

Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1980s

Category:Fire-and-forget weapons