SS-N-22

SS-N-22 Sunburn is the NATO reporting name for two unrelated Soviet anti-ship missiles. Although the missiles were very different, distinguishing is difficult because their ship-mounted launching containers were identical. Confusion was exacerbated by the Soviet practice of mixing the types within a class of ships. It was therefore not confirmed that the "SS-N-22" actually identified two different missiles until after the fall of the Soviet Union.

Chelomei rocket

One of the SS-N-22s was the Chelomei's P-80 Zubr. It was rocket-propelled, armed with a 250-kilogram warhead, and was carried by early-model "Sovremenny"-class destroyers and "Tarantul"-class corvettes. The submarine-launched version of this missile, also known to NATO as SS-N-22 Sunburn, was designated the P-100 Oniks.

MKB Raduga model

The other, unrelated SS-N-22 was the Raduga P-270 Moskit. It was ramjet-propelled (though launched by a small solid-fuel rocket), armed with a 300-kilogram warhead, and was carried by later-model Sovremenny class destroyers, Tarantul class corvettes, and several smaller warships. This weapon has a top speed of Mach 3 [http://www.enemyforces.com/missiles/kh_41.htm] , [http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/missile/row/moskit.htm] , and is considered one of the most lethal anti-ship missiles in the world [ [http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=20643 Congress: Stop Russia-China missile sales ] ] , because when it's launched the target ship has 25 to 30 seconds of response time. It can deliver a warhead of 320 kg. [http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/missile/row/moskit.htm]

There is another version of these weapons called ASM-MMS [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/moskit.htm] intended to be launched using a Su-33.

China acquired SS-N-22 launchers and missiles (specifically, the for-export 3M-80E Moskit variant) with its 1999–2000 purchase of two "Sovremenny" destroyers from Russia. According to Russia, the Chinese funded the development of the SS-N-22 version for the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), which has the designation 3M-80MBE, and this version differs from earlier versions mainly in that the range is increased beyond 220 km (240 km is quoted by many claims), and these new missiles will be first onboard the second pair Sovremenny class destroyers. A total of 500 SS-N-22 AShM had been ordered by China for the four Sovremenny class destroyers it ordered from Russia, and with the exception of the first 20, the rest 480 are 3M-80MBE version. China has stockpiled an average of 15 SS-N-22 missiles for each individual launcher of the Sovremenny class destroyers (Each destroyer has a total of 8 launchers in two quadruple configurations). It is speculated that the PLAN intends to use it against the carrier battle groups deployed by United States Navy in case of any confrontation with Taiwan. All versions of the SS-N-22 have a cruise altitude of 15 feet above sea level.

Six SS-N-22 launchers were also present on the Soviet ekranoplan "Lun".

Operators

;PRC;RUS;IRN;VIE

References

External links

* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/moskit.htm Moskit/SS-N-22 Sunburn] on GlobalSecurity.org
* [http://www.bora-class.info/arms Moskit/SS-N-22 Sunburn Photoalbum] on Bora-Class.info
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/671-specs.htm Project 671 Victor class Attack Submarine (Nuclear Powered)] on GlobalSecurity.org
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/945-specs.htm Project 945 Sierra class Attack Submarine (Nuclear Powered)] on GlobalSecurity.org
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/ss-n-26.htm 3M55 Oniks / P-800 Yakhont / P-800 Bolid / SSN-X-26] on GlobalSecurity.org
* Counter Measure, Goalkeeper close-in weapon system on en.wikipedia.org