Work on the modernization of the Kh-22 missile began in the Soviet Union during the late 1980s, due to the low immunity of its guidance radar operating at fixed frequencies. When an enemy was using radar jamming, launching the Kh-22 was impossible.
A state contract (No. 01133) for development work on adaptation was signed on 19 June 1990.[citation needed] Due to the general crisis in the country and insufficient financing, work was suspended several times. In 1998, the first missile tests were carried out and further work was stopped due to lack of funding. Development resumed on 7 March 2008, when contract No. 83042, for testing prototype missiles was signed with the Raduga State Committee for Design and Development. OJSC Tupolev was to re-equip one combat aircraft Tu-22M3 for testing. In 2010, the Council of Ministers of Russia ordered pilot production as part of the modernization of the Tu-22M3 fleet. Flight tests of the aircraft with missiles were conducted at the end of July 2013.[citation needed] Several flights were completed, including at least one flight with missile launches.[citation needed]
In 2016 the Kh-32 missile was officially accepted into service.[citation needed] Russia has planned modernization of 30 Tu-22M3 aircraft into the Tu-22M3M version.[1][2][3] On 19 April 2024, Ukraine claimed to have shot down two Kh-22/32s for the first time during the war.[4] Pictures were later released showing the Kh-32 was manufactured in 2023 and that it had suffered damage from an anti-aircraft missile.[5][4]
Design
Differences from Kh-22
The Kh-32 missile uses the same body as the Kh-22 with externally identical dimensions.[citation needed] Warhead weight has been reduced to 500 kg (1,100 lb) to improve range.[6]
Kh-32 has a new, more powerful engine.[7]
A new interference-free radar inertial guidance system with radio command correction and reference to the terrain (from altimeter) was installed.[citation needed]
