R-360 Neptune
Neptune anti-ship cruise missile | |
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![]() Test launch, 2019 | |
Type | Anti-ship missile Cruise missile |
Place of origin | Ukraine |
Service history | |
In service | 2021 to present |
Used by | Ukrainian Navy |
Wars | 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine |
Production history | |
Designer | Luch design bureau[1] |
Specifications | |
Mass | 870 kg (1,920 lb)[1] |
Operational range | 280 km (170 mi)[1] |
Maximum speed | Subsonic[1] |
Neptune (Ukrainian: Р-360 «Нептун», romanized: R-360 "Neptun") is a Ukrainian anti-ship cruise missile developed by Luch Design Bureau.
Neptune's design is based on the Soviet Kh-35 anti-ship missile, with substantially improved range and electronics.[2] The system is designed to defeat surface warships and transport vessels with a displacement of up to 5,000 tons, either in convoys or moving individually.
The system entered service with the Ukrainian Navy in March 2021.[3]
Development
The missile was first revealed in the "Weapons and Security 2015" exhibition in Kyiv.[4]
According to information from open sources, the first flight samples of the cruise missile were manufactured in the spring of 2016. Production of advanced missile systems took place in cooperation with other Ukrainian enterprises, including Artem Luch GAhK, Kharkiv State Aviation Plant , Motor Sich (MS-400 turbofan engine), Pivdenne YuMZ PivdenMash, Lviv LORTA and other radar electronics, Vyshneve ZhMZ Vizar Kiev, and others.[citation needed]
The first tests of the system were conducted on March 22, 2016, attended by Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleksandr Turchynov. In mid-2017, Neptune missiles were tested concurrently with trials of the Vilkha missile complex. However, unlike the Vilkha, the test results and capabilities of the Neptune were not publicized.[5] According to the press service of the NSDC, the first successful flight tests of the system took place on January 30, 2018.[6] On August 17, 2018, the missile successfully hit a target at a range of 100 kilometres (62 mi) during test firings in southern Odesa Oblast.[7] On April 6, 2019, the missile was again successfully tested, hitting targets during tests near Odesa. According to President Petro Poroshenko, Neptune system would be delivered to the Ukrainian military in December 2019.[8]
After the withdrawal of both the United States and the Russian Federation from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, Ukraine announced that it was considering developing intermediate-range cruise missiles. Analysts considered an extended-range Neptune missile to be a candidate for such an effort.[9]
Ukraine signed a memorandum with Indonesia on concluding a contract for the supply of a number of Neptune missiles, first reported in December 2020.[10] Thus, Indonesia may become the first foreign buyer of Neptune, according to Defense Express with reference to the Ukrainian special exporter State Enterprise (SE) "Progress".
In March 2021, the Ukrainian Navy obtained the first units of the RK-360MC Neptune.[3]
Operational history
On April 13, 2022, during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Russian cruiser Moskva was claimed to have been hit by two Neptune missiles, resulting in an ammunition explosion.[11][12][13] However, the Russian Defense Ministry said that a fire had caused munitions to explode and the crew had been fully evacuated.[14]
Design
When deployed, a Neptune coastal defence system comprises a USPU-360 truck-based mobile launcher, four missiles, a TZM-360 transport/reload vehicle, a RCP-360 command and control vehicle, and a special cargo vehicle. The system is designed to operate up to 25 kilometres (16 mi) inland of the coastline.[3]
A Neptune missile including rocket motor is 5.05 metres (199 in) in length, with a cross-shaped hard wing. Neptune missiles are designed to be housed in transport and launch containers (TLC) with dimensions 5.30 by 0.60 by 0.60 metres (209 in × 24 in × 24 in). The system has a maximum range of about 300 kilometres (190 mi).[15][16] A single missile weighs 870 kilograms (1,920 lb), of which 150 kilograms (330 lb) is the warhead.[3]
Gallery
See also
References
- ^ a b c d "Neptun anti-ship cruise missile". Military-Today.com.
- ^ Episkopos, Mark (2019-02-06). "Ukraine Is Building Anti-Ship Missiles (In Part Thanks to Russia)". The National Interest. Retrieved 2019-04-10.
- ^ a b c d Ponomarenko, Illia (March 15, 2021). "Ukraine's navy acquires first Neptune cruise missiles". kyivpost.com. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
- ^ (in Ukrainian) "У Києві презентували нову крилату ракету "Нептун"" [New Neptune rocket was presented in Kiev]. Еспресо. 2015-09-24.
- ^ "The anti-ship missile "Neptune" has undergone part of the test in 2017 year". uprom.info. National Industrial Portal. 2018-01-25. Retrieved 2018-01-26.
- ^ (in Ukrainian) "Перші випробування української крилатої ракети!" [The first tests of the Ukrainian cricket (крилатої) rocket!]. mil.in.ua. Український мілітарний портал Ukrainian Military Portal. 2018-01-30. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
- ^ (in Ukrainian) "Українська крилата ракета "Нептун" під час випробувань вразила морську ціль на відстані 100 км" [The Ukrainian Krylatna rocket "Neptun" hit a sea target at a distance of 100 km during the test]. www.ukrmilitary.com. Ukrainian Military Pages. 2018-08-17. Retrieved 2018-08-17.
- ^ (in Russian) "Ракеты Нептун поступят на вооружение ВМС в декабре" [Neptun missiles will enter service with the Navy in December]. ZN.ua. Retrieved 2019-04-10.
- ^ Peterson, Nolan (2019-03-13). "Ukraine Considers New Missiles After Arms Control Treaty Collapses". The Daily Signal. Retrieved 2019-03-13.
- ^ "Indonesia to sign contract with Ukraine to purchase RK-360MC Neptune mobile missile coastal defense system". www.navyrecognition.com. Retrieved 2021-02-03.
- ^ "Ukrainian military hits Russian cruiser by Neptune missiles". www.ukrinform.net. Retrieved 2022-04-13.
- ^ "A fire broke out on the missile cruiser Moskva". TASS. 13 Apr 2022. Retrieved 13 Apr 2022.
- ^ Новости, Р. И. А. (2022-04-14). "На ракетном крейсере "Москва" в результате пожара сдетонировал боезапас" [Ammunition on the missile cruiser "Moscow" detonated as a result of a fire]. РИА Новости (in Russian). Retrieved 2022-04-13.
- ^ "Russia Says Major Ship in Black Sea Fleet Badly Damaged in Blast - Interfax". April 13, 2022. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
- ^ (in Ukrainian) "Нептун успішно вразив морську ціль" [Neptune successfully hit the sea target]. mil.in.ua. Український мілітарний портал Ukrainian Military Portal. 2018-08-17. Retrieved 2018-08-17.
- ^ "LUCH, State Kiev Design Bureau" (PDF). State Kiev Design Bureau, LUCH. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
Video
External links
- Дослідна протикорабельна ракета «Нептун» (Україна. 2016 рік)
- "The anti-ship missile "Neptune" has undergone part of the test in 2017 year". uprom.info. National Industrial Portal. 2018-01-25. Retrieved 2018-01-26.
- Illia Ponomarenko (2018-02-02). "New Neptune cruise missiles to enter full production within 3 years, expert says". Kyiv Post. Retrieved 2018-02-05.
- Illia Ponomarenko (2018-01-30). "Ukraine tests new cruise missile". Kyiv Post. Retrieved 2018-02-05.