3M-54 Klub

The Russian 3M-54 Калибр (Kalibr) and 3M-14 Бирюза (Biryuza, Turqoise) (NATO codename SS-N-27 Sizzler) are Russian surface ship and submarine-launched anti-ship and coastal anti ship (AShM) and land attack cruise missiles (LACM) developed by the Novator Design Bureau (OKB-8). Derived export versions are the 3M-54E and the 3M-54E1. The 3M-54, 3M-54E, 3M-54TE and 3M-54AE have a second stage that performs a supersonic sprint in the terminal approach to the target, reducing the time that target's defense systems have to react. The 3M-54E1 only travels at subsonic speeds during its entire flight, though range is longer than that of the supersonic versions accordingly.

The name of Club is used for export versions.

Design

The missile is a modular system with five versions: two anti-shipping types, one for land attack and two anti-submarine types. The missile is designed to share common parts between the surface and submarine-launched variants but each missile consists of different components, for example, the booster. The missile can be launched from a surface ship using a Vertical Launch System (VLS). It has a booster with thrust vectoring capability. The missile launched from a submarine torpedo tube has no need for such an addition but has a conventional booster instead. The air launched version is held in a container that is dropped and the missile launches, detaching from the container.

Kalibr land attack versions in use by Russia have various claimed maximum ranges; it is believed that the conventionally armed version has a range of 2,500 km (1,600 mi)^[5], while a nuclear armed Kalibr has a greater range of 2,600 km (1,600 mi).^[6]

Terminal supersonic flight

3M-54E maquette

The Russian domestic variant (3M54) and export variants (3M54E/3M54TE) fly at sub-sonic speeds while achieving supersonic speed as they near their target. They are also capable of performing very high angled defensive high speed maneuvers in contrast to the common linear flight path of other anti-ship cruise missiles.^[7]

Name

The names of missiles 3M are written by manufacturer, media, specialists or military with or without - in reference to the URAV VMF Index, similar to GRAU Index. Originally without "-".

Operational history

• On 7 October 2015, the Gepard class frigate and three Buyan-M class Russian Navy corvettes, part of the Caspian Flotilla launched 26 Kalibr-NK system cruise missiles 3M14T from the Caspian Sea at 11 targets in Syria during the Syrian Civil War.^[8] The missiles traveled 1,500 km (932 mi) through Iranian and Iraqi airspace and struck targets in Raqqa and Aleppo provinces (controlled by the Islamic State), but primarily Idlib province (controlled by the Free Syrian Army and Nusra Front).^[9][10][11] Anonymous US DoD officials alleged that four missiles crashed in Iran.^[12] The US officials offered no evidence while Russian and Iranian governments denied the claim of missile crash.^[13] Pentagon and State Department officials refused to comment on the reports.^[14] Russia posted video footage of 26 Kalibr missile launches as well as several videos of missile impacts without time or location information.^[15]
• On 20 November 2015 Russia launched 18 3M14T cruise missiles from Caspian Sea onto targets in Syria, the targets were in Raqqa, Idlib and Aleppo.^{[16][17][18][19]}
• On 9 December 2015 Russia fired a group of 3M14K cruise missiles from Kalibr-PL system at IS positions from the Improved Kilo-class submarine B-237 Rostov-on-Don deployed in the Mediterranean.^[20][21]
• On 19 August 2016 Russia launched three Kalibr-NK cruise missiles from Buyan-class corvette Zelenyy Dol and Serpukhov deployed in the eastern Mediterranean, and struck al-Nusra targets in the Aleppo province.^[22]
• On 20 September 2016 Russian state media reported that Russian warships in the Mediterranean fired three Kalibr-NK missiles at western Aleppo, near Mount Simeon. The Russians claimed that the missile strike killed “30 Israeli and Western officers directing the terrorists’ attacks in Aleppo and Idlib”.^[23]
• On 15 November 2016 Russian frigate Admiral Grigorovich fired at least three missiles against targets in Idlib and Homs provinces, Syria.^[24][25]
• On 31 May 2017 Russian frigate Admiral Essen and submarine Krasnodar launched four missiles against targets east of Palmyra, Syria.^[26][27][28]
• On 23 June 2017 Russian frigates Admiral Grigorovich and Admiral Essen and Krasnodar submarine fired six Kalibr missiles at ISIL arms depot targets in Hama.^{[29][30][31][32][33]}

Variants

Domestic variants are basic versions of this missile family; these are the 3M54 and 3M14. The export model is called Club (formerly Klub). There are two major launch platforms: the Kalibr-PL (export Club-S), designed for use from submarines, and the Kalibr-NK (export Club-N), designed for surface ships. These two launch platforms can be equipped with the following warhead and guidance combinations:^[34]

Domestic variants

• 3M54K An anti-shipping variant deployed by the Russian Navy, as a submarine launched missile, Its basic length is 8.22 m (27.0 ft), with a 200 kg (440 lb) warhead. Its range is 440–660 km (270–410 mi). It is a Sea-skimmer with supersonic terminal speed and a flight altitude of 4.6 metres (15 ft) at its final stage; its speed is then Mach 2.9.
• 3M54T The anti-shipping variant is deployed by the Russian Navy, in a surface ship with a VLS launched system and a thrust vectoring booster; its Basic length is 8.9 m (29 ft), its warhead weight and other performances are the same as the 3M-54K.
• 3M14K An inertial guidance land attack variant deployed by the Russian Navy. The submarine-launched weapon has a basic length of 6.2 m (20 ft), with a 450 kg (990 lb) warhead. Its range is 2,500 km (1,600 mi). Its subsonic terminal speed is Mach 0.8.
• 3M14T is the Inertial guidance land attack variant which is deployed by the Russian Navy. A surface ship with VLS launched missile, with thrust vectoring booster, its basic length is 8.9 m (29 ft), its warhead weight and other performance are the same as the 3M14K. Russia fired 26 3M14T cruise missiles from four surface ships in the Caspian Sea against 11 targets in Syria on 7 October 2015.
• According to state television news (broadcast of 11.10.2015),^[35] launch of production took place in 2012. Details of this version^[36] - the maximum speed of Mach 3, the range of 4,000 km, basing in the air, on land, on water and under water (shows launch from water depth). The missile can make in-flight maneuvers 147 times or more (in any direction), the minimum height of 10 meters, an average of 20 – 50 meters (up to 1000), it will automatically follow terrain, the missile can be controlled in flight^[37].

Export variants

3M-54E1 maquette

Club-S

• 3M-54E Club-S^[38] is the submarine launched anti-shipping variant, Its basic length is 8.2 m (27 ft), with a 200 kg (440 lb) warhead. Its range is 220 km; (note that its range is less than the 3M-54). It is a sea-skimmer with a supersonic terminal speed and a flight altitude of 4.6 metres (15 ft) at its final stage is 2.9 mach.^[39]

3M-14E maquette

• 3M-54E1 is a submarine-launched anti-shipping variant, Its basic length is 6.2 m (20 ft), with a 200 kg (440 lb) warhead. Its range is 300 km (190 mi). It is a sea-skimmer with a subsonic terminal speed of 0.8 mach. It is allegedly capable of disabling or even sinking an aircraft carrier.^[40]
• 3M-14E An inertially guided land attack variant; it is launched from a submarine. Its basic length is 6.2 m (20 ft), with a 450 kg (990 lb) warhead. Its range is 300 km (190 mi). It has a subsonic terminal speed of 0.8 mach.
• 91RE1 A submarine-launched anti-submarine variant, it consists of two stages, one solid booster with four grid fins and one anti-submarine light torpedo. Its basic length is 7.65 m (25.1 ft), it has a range of 50 km (31 mi). It can reach supersonic speed. The torpedo has a warhead weight of 76 kg (168 lb). It is similar to the American ASROC/SUBROC missile/torpedo system. It follows a ballistic path on the surface, with a speed of Mach 2.5.

91RE1 maquette

Club-N

• 3M-54TE Club-N^[38] - A surface vessel with VLS launched anti-shipping variant; with a thrust vectoring booster. Its basic length is 8.9 m, its warhead weight and other performance is the same as the 3M-54E. Its range is less than the 3M-54. It is a sea-skimmer with supersonic terminal speed and a flight altitude of 15 feet (4.6 m) at its final stage, when it has a speed of 2.9 mach, with a range of 220 km (140 mi) at supersonic speed.
• 3M-54TE1 - A surface ship with VLS anti-shipping variant, with thrust vectoring booster. Its basic length is 8.9 m (29 ft), its warhead weight and other performance is the same as the 3M-54E1. A sea-skimmer with a subsonic terminal speed of 0.8 mach. It is also allegedly capable of disabling or even sinking an aircraft carrier, with a range of 300 km (190 mi) at supersonic speed.
• 3M-14TE - An inertially guided land attack variant. It is a surface ship with VLS missile and a thrust vectoring booster. Its basic length is 8.9 m (29 ft), its warhead weight and other performances are the same as the 3M-14E. Its subsonic terminal speed is 0.8 mach, with a range of 300 km (190 mi) at supersonic speed.

91RTE2 maquette

• 91RTE2 - A surface ship with the VLS launched anti-submarine variant; it consists of three stages, one booster with thrust vector nozzle, one conventional booster, and one anti-submarine light torpedo. Its basic length is 8.9 m (29 ft), with a range of 40 km (25 mi) at supersonic speed. The torpedo has a warhead weight of 76 kg (168 lb). The lightest of all variants, with a launch weight of 1,300 kg (2,900 lb). Speed is Mach 2.

Club-M

Land-based anti-ship missile for coastal defense. Range 300 km, includes supersonic terminal sprint phase.^[6]

Club-A

• 3M-54AE - Air-launched anti-ship variant. Two stages, terminal supersonic speed. Weight 1950 kg. Warhead 200 kg. Range 300 km.
• 3M-54AE1 - Air-launched anti-ship variant. Subsonic.
• 3M-14AE - Air-launched land attack variant. Subsonic. INS+satellite guidance. Length 6.2 m. Weight 1400 kg. Warhead 450 kg. Range 300 km.

Launch platforms

Indian Navy frigate INS Tabar firing the Klub missile.

The Russian Kilo class, Lada class, Akula class, Yasen class, Borei class are the submarine launch platforms for the missiles.

The Russian Admiral Gorshkov class, Admiral Grigorovich class, Gepard class frigates are able to carry these missiles. Also the Indian Talwar class frigate is another shipborne launch platform for the Club missile system.

The Russian Gremyashchy class, Buyan-M class, the second batch of Steregushchy class corvettes are low displacement platforms with Kalibr system ability.

In addition, it is believed by some analysts that an air-launched variant will be developed to arm the Tu-142s currently in service with both the Russian and Indian Navies; it is also anticipated that the Tu-22M3 operated by the Indian Navy will be equipped with the missile.^[41] A truck mounted version is planned for development by the Novator Design Bureau. A Club-K variant, which is disguised as a shipping container that can be placed on a truck, train, or merchant vessel, was advertised in 2010 and was shown for the first time at the MAKS 2011 air show.^[42][43][44] Putting the launcher system into a standard shipping container allows the missiles to be moved and stored without arousing suspicion, which in turn renders pre-emptive strikes against the launcher very difficult. In MAKS 2007, the 3M-54AE was placed beside a Su-35. This means the plane will have the ability to launch the Club-A variants. The lighter 3M-14AE was also beside MiG-35.

Operators

Map with 3M-54 operators

•  Russia: The Russian Navy uses the 3M14, 3M54, 91R1, 91RT2. Submarine launched variants (entered service in 2016)^[45] are used by Kilo-class submarine, Lada-class submarine, Akula-class submarine, and the Yasen-class submarine. Surface ship launched variants are used by the Gremyashchy class, Buyan-M class corvettes, Gepard class, Admiral Gorshkov class and the Admiral Grigorovich class frigates.
  •  Russian Navy
•  Algeria: The Algerian National Navy uses the 'Club-S' variant for their Kilo class submarines.
•  India: The Indian Navy uses both 'Club-S' and 'Club-N' variants for the Kilo class submarines (known as the Sindhughosh Class in Indian service), the Talwar class frigates respectively.^[46]
•  Vietnam: The Vietnam People's navy uses the 'Club-S' variant for its six Kilo class submarines.^[47]
•  China: The People's Liberation Army Navy uses the 'Club-S' variant for its Kilo class submarines.^[48]
•  Iran: Contradictory sources^[49][50] indicate that the Iranian Navy is thought to have purchased or is about to purchase 'Club-S' missiles for its three Kilo class submarine.

See also

• P-800 Oniks
• 3M-51 Alfa
• YJ-18

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to 3M-54 Klub.

• CSIS Missile Threat - SS-N-30
• http://www.concern-agat.com/index.php producer
• "3M-54 Klub". Federation of American Scientists. Archived from the original on 5 February 2007. Retrieved 2007-02-27. 
• "Klub (SS-N-27) ASCN". Bharat Rakshak Monitor. Archived from the original on 2007-02-05. Retrieved 2007-02-27. 
• "3M-54 Klub". Globalsecurity.org. Archived from the original on 20 February 2007. Retrieved 2007-02-27. 
• "Navy Systems". Globalsecurity.org (Navy Systems). Archived from the original on 14 March 2007. Retrieved 2007-03-23.