“In the 1980s NPO Mashinostroyeniya also designed the 3M25A Meteorit-A (also designated Grom) [AS-X-19 ‘Koala’] supersonic strategic ALCM with a maximum speed of Mach 3 and a range of 3,000-5,000km, to be carried by Tu-160, Tu-95MS, and Tu-95MA bombers. This missile was also developed in SLCM [SS-NX-24 ‘Scorpion’] and ground-launched [SSC-X-5] variants. However, neither missile was accepted into service due to the overall reductions in Soviet defense spending in the late 1980s and the successful development of MKB Raduga’s Kh-55 [NATO designation AS-15 ‘Kent’] and RK-55 Granat [NATO designation SS-N-21 ‘Sampson’] cruise missiles.”

From http://www.nti.org/db/nisprofs/russia/delivry/npomash.htm

3M25 and GROM were indeed one and the same weapon. Thanks Meteorit. 🙂

Thanks GDL. Makes one wonder why it hasn’t replaced the MR-800 on other vessels such as the Slava and Kirov classes. It appears to be very common on large Russian surface combatants, even recent ones.

Were there any technical difficulties with this design reported, or is it simply lack of money?

Indeed one wonders. But maybe it was tech problem, perhaps money? I checked my Janes sources and the ‘TOP SAIL’ is actually the MR-600. I think the ‘FLAT SCREEN’ on the Kerch could be the MR-800, not 100% sure.
The MR-700 is apparently the early Fregat-series ‘TOP STEER’ unit which is fitted to two of the SLAVA class CGs and at least two of the KIROV class CGs. The first three SOVREMENNY class DDGs were also fitted with MR-700, but the rest have MR-760 ‘TOP PLATE’.

The SLAVA and KIROV classes have both ‘TOP PAIR’ and ‘TOP STEER’/’TOP PLATE’ sets fitted. The ‘TOP PAIR’ is the ‘TOP SAIL’ combined with the ‘BIG NET’. Both the KIROV and SLAVA classes play a larger anti-air role which is probably why they have a far more comprehensive surveillance radar suite.

Hope this helps, and doesn’t confuse you to bits….

Way too early, but I think Pyhton-6 like the -5 will be another modification of the existing proven airframe with a better seeker and brain again. It would be the simplest and cheapest path to follow. No real need to design a whole NEW weapon IMO.

BTW the “Su-21” did not exist. The double-delta winged Su-15 is the Su-15TM.

Yes, there are inflight Su-15 pics, but they tend to be black and white, poor quality, and not very interesting.

So maybe what you meant to say Paul was that decent colour inflight pics are rare?

Why is the Kashin equipped with Uran SSMs when the Neustrashimiy still hasn’t recieved this armament?

Good question Vympel. One wonders….

Perhaps when the Neustrashimiy goes into it’s own refit, then maybe?

Because I noticed that these JDW posts are getting posted on other websites, which will most likely get me in trouble.

Shame on those thoughtless dicks! They could at least have the decency to just save the info and then quote some data extracts from it perhaps. We don’t want to lose you Google, really we don’t…. 🙁

What’s the huge search radar antenna on #713? I don’t think this device is standard equipment for Kara-class destroyers.

http://www.foxbat.ru/maks/parad_vmf04_/parad_vmf04_086.jpg

http://www.foxbat.ru/maks/parad_vmf04_/parad_vmf04_141.jpg

Comparison: http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/row/rus/nk1134b.jpg

Trident,

The Kerch is the only ship fitted with it, and so you are right, it’s not standard. It is the MR-700 Podberyyozovik-E 3D EW/surveillance radar (dubbed ‘FLAT SCREEN’ by NATO). The Kerch had it fitted during a late 80’s overhaul, and it replaces the standard MR-800 Voskhod (NATO: TOP SAIL) radar.