Raduga KS-1 Komet

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KS-1 Komet/AS-1 'Kennel'
KS-1 Komet/AS-1 'Kennel'
Basic data
Function	anti-ship missile
Manufacturer	MKB Raduga
Entered service	1955
General characteristics
Engine	RD-500K turbojet
Launch mass	3,000 kg	6,614 lb
Length	8.29 m	27 ft 2 in
Diameter	1.20 m	3 ft 11 in
Wingspan	4.77 m	15 ft 7 in
Speed	Mach 0.9
Range	90 km	56 mi
Warhead	600 kg (1300 lb) High Explosive
Guidance	initial - inertial, terminal - active radar homing
Launch platform	Tupolev Tu-16 'Badger'

The Raduga KS-1 Komet (Russian: КС-1 "Комета", NATO reporting name: Kennel), also referred to as AS-1, was referred to as a крылатый снаряд, or "winged missile." The KS-1 was a short range air-to-surface missile (primarily used for anti-shipping) developed by the Soviet Union, and carried exclusively on the Tupolev Tu-16 'Badger'.. Development was begun in 1947 along with a related ground-launched missile, the SSC-2B "Samlet" (S-2 Sopka), both missiles being derived from the MiG-15 'Fagot' fighter aircraft, and developed under the anti-ship missile codename "Komet".

The KS-1 was designed for use against surface ships. It was basically a MiG-15 with the cockpit and undercarriage deleted. Its main fuselage was cigar-shaped with delta wings and an aircraft type tail. It was propelled by a MiG-15 turbojet engine. Guidance was provided by an inertial navigation system (INS) in the midcourse phase, and by a semi-active radar in the terminal phase which directed the missile to its target. A 600 kg high explosive (HE) armor-piercing warhead was carried.

The AS-1 is believed to have entered service in 1955, being deployed initially on the Tupolev Tu-4 'Bull' and later on the Tu-16KS 'Badger-B' tactical and strategic bomber, on two under-wing pylons. The missile was also exported to Egypt and Indonesia.

Sources indicate that most of the AS-1 "Kennel" missiles were replaced by the AS-5 'Kelt' (KSR-2/Kh-11), which was first deployed in 1966. The last KS-1s were removed from service in 1969.^[1]

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