Kalibr (missile family)

Kalibr
An export variant of the missile (mockup)
Type	Cruise missile Anti-ship missile
Place of origin	Russia
Service history
In service	1994
Used by	See Operators
Wars	Syrian Civil War Russo-Ukrainian War
Production history
Manufacturer	Novator Design Bureau, KTRV, MKB Fakel, NPO Mash, Raduga, NPO Zvezda Strela (Orenburg)
Unit cost	$6.5 million (export cost, anti-ship version)
Produced	1994–present
Specifications
Mass	Varies on variant, from 1,300 kg-1,780 kg-2,300 kg
Length	Varies on variant, from 6.2 m to 8.9 m
Diameter	(ca. 0.514 m) 0.533 m
Warhead	400–500 kg
Engine	Multi-stage solid-fuel rocket, turbojet engine for 3M-54/E/TE/E1/TE1, -14/E/TE, solid fuel rocket for 91RE1/RTE2
Operational range	91R variants: ≥50 km 3M54E (export anti-ship version): 220 km 3M54E1/3M14E (export anti-ship version): 300 km 3M54K/3M54T: 660 km (domestic anti-ship version, estimate) 3M14K/3M14T: 1,500–2,500 km (domestic land-attack version, estimate)
Flight ceiling	1,000 m
Flight altitude	50–150 m AGL 20 m over water
Maximum speed	0.8–2.5–3.0 Mach
Guidance system	Inertial guidance plus terminal active radar homing
Accuracy	2-3 m (domestic version, with GLONASS) 50 m CEP (Club-T export version, without GLONASS)
Launch platform	naval ships, submarines, containers, TEL

The Novator Kalibr (Калибр, caliber), also referred to as 3M54-1 Kalibr, 3M14 Biryuza (Бирюза, turquoise), (NATO reporting name SS-N-27 Sizzler and SS-N-30A) is a family of Russian cruise missiles developed by NPO Novator (OKB-8). It first saw service in 1994. There are ship-launched, submarine-launched and air-launched versions of the missile, and variants for anti-ship, and land attack use. Some versions have a second propulsion stage that initiates a supersonic sprint in the terminal approach to the target, reducing the time that air defense systems have to react, while subsonic versions have greater range than the supersonic variants. The missile can carry a warhead weighing up to 500 kilograms (1,100 lb).

Design

The missile is a modular system with several versions: two anti-shipping types, and one for land attack. 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 launching 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 as the missile launches, detaching from the container.

There are several claims about the maximum range of Kalibr land attack versions in use by Russia. The U.S. Department of Defense estimates its range at 1,400 km (870 mi), and Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu put its range at "almost 1,500 km (930 mi)." Following its first operational firing in October 2015, Russian Ministry of Defence statements suggested a range of 2,000 km (1,200 mi), while a December 2015 Office of Naval Intelligence report gathered a number of Russian statements projecting ranges between 1,500-2,500 km (1,600 mi).

Discrepancies in range values may be political declarations for strategic effect, or potentially longer 2,500 km-range claims could be associated with a thermonuclear armed variant while shorter 1,500 km-range estimates are for the conventionally armed missile.

Launch of production of a submarine-variant of the 3M14TE Kalibr-NK called the Kalibr-PL missile occurred in 2012, according to state television news (broadcast of 11.10.2015).

Russia has improved the targeting system of its ship- and submarine-launched Kalibr cruise missiles to improve their ability to conduct time sensitive attacks. Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu revealed the development, which was initiated as a result of combat experience in Syria, in an interview with the Moskovsky Komsomolets newspaper on 22 September 2019.

Launch platforms

A Club-K erected in a standard shipping container

Club-K

'Club-K' – a Russian container complex of missile weapons, placed in the standard 20- and 40-foot sea container. It is designed to defeat surface and ground targets. The complex can be mounted on shorelines, vessels of various classes, rail platforms and trucks. It is a modification of the Kalibr missile system.

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.

Naval use

Russian submarines of the Kilo class, Lada class, Amur class, Akula class, Yasen class, and Borei class are launch platforms for the missiles.

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

Indian Navy frigate INS Tabar firing the Club missile

The Russian Admiral Gorshkov class, Admiral Grigorovich class, and 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.

Operational history

Russian military intervention in the Syrian civil war

Main article: Russian military intervention in the Syrian civil war

• On 7 October 2015, a 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. 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 in Idlib province (controlled by the Free Syrian Army and Nusra Front). Anonymous US DoD officials alleged that four missiles crashed in Iran. Russian and Iranian governments denied the claim of missile crash. Pentagon and State Department officials refused to comment on the reports. Russia posted video footage of 26 Kalibr missile launches as well as several videos of missile impacts without time or location information.
• On 20 November 2015, Russia launched 18 3M14T cruise missiles from the Caspian Sea onto targets in Syria, the targets were in Raqqa, Idlib and Aleppo.
• On 9 December 2015, Russia fired a group of 3M14K cruise missiles from Kalibr-PL system at positions occupied by ISIL from the Improved Kilo-class submarine B-237 Rostov-on-Don deployed in the Mediterranean.
• 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".
• On 15 November 2016, Russian frigate Admiral Grigorovich fired at least three missiles against targets in Idlib and Homs provinces, Syria, in the opening stages of the decisive offensive on Aleppo.
• On 31 May 2017, the Russian frigate Admiral Essen and submarine Krasnodar launched four missiles against targets east of Palmyra, Syria.
• On 23 June 2017, Russian frigates Admiral Grigorovich and Admiral Essen, and the submarine Krasnodar fired six Kalibr missiles at ISIL arms depot targets in Hama.
• On 14 September 2017, the Russian submarines Veliky Novgorod and Kolpino fired seven Kalibr missiles on ISIL targets (command posts, communications centers and ammunition depots) in the south-east of Deir ez-Zor.
• On 22 September 2017, the Russian submarine Veliky Novgorod fired at least three Kalibr missiles on al-Nusra in the Idlib province. The missile strike destroyed command centers, training bases and armored vehicles.
• On 5 October 2017, the Russian submarines Veliky Novgorod and Kolpino launched 10 Kalibr missiles. The strikes were to support Syrian troops conducting a ground offensive in Deir-ez-Zor province.
• On 3 November 2017, the Russian submarine Kolpino launched 6 Kalibr missiles from a submerged position. Missiles hit terrorists' strongholds, weapon and ammunition depots, concentrations of militants, and important command centres near Abu Kamal, Deir-ez-Zor.
• On 3 February 2018, Russian frigates and submarines active in the Mediterranean sea launched several Kalibr missiles on the positions of rebels in the Idlib province, Syria where the Sukhoi Su-25 attack aircraft of Major Roman Filipov was shot down. The Russian ministry of defence said that more than 30 rebel fighters were killed.

2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine

Main article: 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine

Kalibr cruise missiles have been widely used by Russian forces since the start of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022. The opening assault is said to have included at least 30 cruise missiles, targeting command and control points, air bases, and air-defense batteries. The missiles were likely fired by the Buyan-class corvettes, Admiral Grigorovich-class frigates and Kilo-class submarines of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. Ukraine's military command reported widespread usage of Kalibr cruise missiles in strikes against strategic and non-combat targets across Ukraine. Most notable incidents were:

• On 14 July 2022, three Kalibr cruise missiles hit the city center of Vinnytsia, Ukraine, killing at least 20 people, including at least three children. Ukraine claimed two other missiles were shot down.
• On 23 July 2022, at least two Kalibr cruise missiles hit the port of Odesa, other two were reportedly shot down.
• On 11 September 2022, Kalibr cruise missiles were again fired from the Black Sea on targets in Ukraine. The same day, missile strike on Kharkiv TEC-5 thermal power plant in Kharkiv was confirmed by Ukrainian officials.
• During 2022 Russian strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure in October, November and December 2022, number of Kalibr cruise missiles fired from the Black Sea targeted various Ukrainian energy facilities across the country. This led to destruction of at least 50% of Ukraine's energy sector by mid-November 2022.
  • On 10 October 2022, three Kalibr cruise missiles violated the airspace of the Republic of Moldova.
  • On 31 October 2022, remains of a Kalibr missile reportedly shot down by Ukrainian air defence crashed in Moldova.
• On 20 March 2023, Ukraine claimed Russian Kalibr cruise missiles had been involved in an explosion in the north of annexed Crimea. Ukraine announced the explosions but, as is normal, did not explicitly say it was behind the attack.

Variants

Domestic variants are basic versions of this missile family; these are the 3M54, 3M51, 3M14 and 91R variants. 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:

Gallery

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Domestic variants

Name	Length	Warhead	Range	Launch platform	Target type	User	Notes	Ref.
3M54K	8.22 m (27.0 ft)	200 kg (440 lb)	550–660 km (340–410 mi)	Submarine	Surface ship	Russian Navy
3M54T	8.9 m (29 ft)			Surface ship			VLS-launched; Thrust vectoring booster
3M14K (SS-N-30A)	6.2 m (20 ft)	450 kg (990 lb)	2,500 km (1,600 mi)	Submarine	Land		Mach 0.8; inertial guidance
3M14T	8.9 m (29 ft)			Surface ship			VLS-launched; Thrust vectoring booster
Kalibr-M			4,500 km (2,800 mi)	ship, submarine, air, and land-launched			Under development

Export variants

Name	Length	Warhead	Range	Launch platform	Target type	Notes	Ref.
Club-S
3M-54E	6.2 m (20 ft)	200 kg (440 lb)	300 km (190 mi)	Submarine	Surface ship
3M-54E1						Sea-skimming; Terminal speed: Mach 0.8
3M-14E		450 kg (990 lb)			Land
Club-N
3M-54TE	8.9 m (29 ft)	200 kg (440 lb)	300 km (190 mi)	Surface ship	Surface ship	Thrust vectoring booster
3M-54TE1						Sea-skimming; Terminal speed: Mach 0.8; Thrust vectoring booster
3M-14TE		450 kg (990 lb)			Land	inertial guidance; Thrust vectoring booster
Club-T
3M-54E2		450 kg (990 lb)		Land	Surface ship	Weight: 1,700 kg (3,700 lb); CEP: 50 m (160 ft); Cruise speed: 240 m/s (Mach 0.71)
3M-14E1					Land
Club-A
3M-54AE		200 kg (440 lb)	300 km (190 mi)	Air-launched	Surface ship	Terminal: Supersonic speed
3M-54AE1
3M-14AE	6.2 m (20 ft)	450 kg (990 lb)			Land	Weight: 1,400 kg (3,100 lb); Inertial navigation system; Satellite navigation

Operators

Map of Kalibr operators

• Russia:
  • Russian Navy uses the 3M14, 3M54, 3M54-1, 91R1, 91RT2. Submarine-launched variants (entered service in 2016) are used by Kilo-class submarine, Lada-class submarine, Akula-class submarine, Oscar II-class submarine and the Yasen-class submarine. Surface ship launched variants are used by the Gremyashchy class, Karakurt class, Buyan-M class corvettes, Gepard class, Admiral Gorshkov class and the Admiral Grigorovich-class frigates.
• 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 submarine in Indian service), the Talwar class frigates respectively.
• Vietnam: The Vietnam People's Navy uses the 'Club-S' variant for its six Kilo class submarines.
• China: The People's Liberation Army Navy uses the 'Club-S' variant for its Kilo class submarines.
• Iran: Contradictory sources indicate that the Iranian Navy is thought to have purchased or is about to purchase 'Club-S' missiles for its three Kilo class submarines.

See also

• Iskander-K
• 3M-51 Alfa
• Atmaca
• AV-TM 300
• Babur
• BGM-109 Tomahawk
• Hyunmoo-3
• Noor ASCM
• Qader
• RK-55
• YJ-18

External links

• Media related to 3M-54 Klub at Wikimedia Commons
• Graphics Illustration
• CSIS Missile Threat – SS-N-30
• Producer, corporate WWW Archived 2019-01-27 at the Wayback Machine
• "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.