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Isn't there some sort of rule about advertising on Freeper?

That said, the SS-N-22 is one of the scarier weapon systems I've heard about, and if the SS-N-26 is an improvement and heavying-up of the SS-N-22, as per the article, then we had better start doing something about it. Like mounting similar systems on stealthy, oceangoing, fast FP types for a little asymmetrical deployment of our own against the Chinese DDGM's, and basing them on a task force as fast pickets.

Oh, wait, we have something even better. They're called F-14D's.

Haven't read such a rule ... but either way JR has given me permission to inform others of the status and availability of the book here on FR because a numbers of FReepers (including myself) were involved in its creation ... as long as I don't over do it.

I suspect if I ever over do it, they will let me know at which time I will insure that I follow JR's wishes on his site.

That being said, I am not sure the Phoenix can deal with the SS-N-26 ... or SS-N-22 for that matter. It may be a stretch for the current programming on the standard too.

I have no doubts that we will develop a solution ... but we need a ALRAAM to replace the Phoenix, IMHO, both for anti-missile duty as well as taking out any AWACS the other side develops from a longer range than the AMRAAM currently affords. Of course, this is all strictly IMHO and not addressing the greater threat to our CBG's which I view as sub-surface.

FRegards.

YAKHONT (SS-N-26) ASCM

Designed by NPO Mashinostroyeniya, the Yakhont ASCM (Anti-Ship Cruise Missile) meets all principal requirements to anti-ship missiles of the fourth generation - low weight and dimensions (eight missiles can be placed in the hull of a slightly modernized Amur Class sub, or it can replace four P-15 Termit [SS-N-2a Styx] anti-ship missiles), employs stealth technology, has supersonic flight speed and a completely independent guidance system based on the fire-and-forget concept.

The missile is 8.9 meters (29.1 feet) in length. It can be launched from ships, aircraft, submarines, or even ground mobile launchers and is fired from a unified encapsulated ampoule - shaped transporter - launching container. Flight speed is at Mach 2.0+, using a kerosense liquid-fuel ramjet, with a terminal run at Mach 2.5. Range is at 300 km in a hi-lo profile or at 120 km at altitudes of 5-15 metres, in a lo-lo profile. A regular mid-course phase of the flight occurs at 15 km. If and when launched from submarines, the vessel must be fitted with 650mm torpedo tubes.

An operational missile designed for hitting complex sea-based and in-shore targets, a vessel armed with the Yakhount can carry out combat operations against warships or even against carrier battle groups. Yakhont's navigation system uses an inertial guidance system based on the present target location data. At a pre-calculated flight point (around 25 - 80 km), a brief turn-on of the homing scanner occurs, resulting in exact determination of target location. After that, the homing system turns on only when the Yakhont leaves the radio horizon and drops its altitude to 5 - 15 metres, i.e. a few seconds before hitting the target. It carries a 250 kg (553 lbs.) warhead.

The Yakhont ASCM on display at the '97 Moscow Airshow

The missile's designers assume, that the enemy would detect the launch of the missile at the distance of 300 km and take measures to destroy it. However, being resistant to jamming, having the flight velocity of 750 m/s and making complex maneuvers during flight, the Yakhont ASCM shall anyway reach the target. There are no effective means of defense against this Russian missile in naval forces of the world.

It is not the high speed or jamming protection that makes Yakhont an advanced weapon system. It's major advantage, not too much advertised by NPO Mashinostroyeniya representatives, is the guidance system which has accumulated all the NPO experience in developing electronic systems of AI (Artificial Intelligence) enabling to fight against single warships (one missile - one ship) or even against a group of warships (a flock against a group). It is salvo launching that shows all unsurpassed tactical capabilities of the Russian weapon.

The missiles allocate and range targets by their importance and choose the attack implementation plan. The independent control system keeps in memory not only of the ECM (Electronic Countermeasures) and ECCM (Electronic Counter-Countermeasures) data, but also the methods of evading the fire of the enemy's air defense systems such as the US' Phalanx CIWS (Close-In Weapon System). Having destroyed the main target in a carrier group, the missiles left attack other ships of the carrier group, eliminating the possibility of using two missiles on one target.

YAKHONT (SS-N-26) ASCM

Designed by NPO Mashinostroyeniya, the Yakhont ASCM (Anti-Ship Cruise Missile) meets all principal requirements to anti-ship missiles of the fourth generation - low weight and dimensions (eight missiles can be placed in the hull of a slightly modernized Amur Class sub, or it can replace four P-15 Termit [SS-N-2a Styx] anti-ship missiles), employs stealth technology, has supersonic flight speed and a completely independent guidance system based on the fire-and-forget concept.

The missile is 8.9 meters (29.1 feet) in length. It can be launched from ships, aircraft, submarines, or even ground mobile launchers and is fired from a unified encapsulated ampoule - shaped transporter - launching container. Flight speed is at Mach 2.0+, using a kerosense liquid-fuel ramjet, with a terminal run at Mach 2.5. Range is at 300 km in a hi-lo profile or at 120 km at altitudes of 5-15 metres, in a lo-lo profile. A regular mid-course phase of the flight occurs at 15 km. If and when launched from submarines, the vessel must be fitted with 650mm torpedo tubes.

An operational missile designed for hitting complex sea-based and in-shore targets, a vessel armed with the Yakhount can carry out combat operations against warships or even against carrier battle groups. Yakhont's navigation system uses an inertial guidance system based on the present target location data. At a pre-calculated flight point (around 25 - 80 km), a brief turn-on of the homing scanner occurs, resulting in exact determination of target location. After that, the homing system turns on only when the Yakhont leaves the radio horizon and drops its altitude to 5 - 15 metres, i.e. a few seconds before hitting the target. It carries a 250 kg (553 lbs.) warhead.

The Yakhont ASCM on display at the '97 Moscow Airshow

The missile's designers assume, that the enemy would detect the launch of the missile at the distance of 300 km and take measures to destroy it. However, being resistant to jamming, having the flight velocity of 750 m/s and making complex maneuvers during flight, the Yakhont ASCM shall anyway reach the target. There are no effective means of defense against this Russian missile in naval forces of the world.

It is not the high speed or jamming protection that makes Yakhont an advanced weapon system. It's major advantage, not too much advertised by NPO Mashinostroyeniya representatives, is the guidance system which has accumulated all the NPO experience in developing electronic systems of AI (Artificial Intelligence) enabling to fight against single warships (one missile - one ship) or even against a group of warships (a flock against a group). It is salvo launching that shows all unsurpassed tactical capabilities of the Russian weapon.

The missiles allocate and range targets by their importance and choose the attack implementation plan. The independent control system keeps in memory not only of the ECM (Electronic Countermeasures) and ECCM (Electronic Counter-Countermeasures) data, but also the methods of evading the fire of the enemy's air defense systems such as the US' Phalanx CIWS (Close-In Weapon System). Having destroyed the main target in a carrier group, the missiles left attack other ships of the carrier group, eliminating the possibility of using two missiles on one target.