Hubbry Logo
P-270 MoskitP-270 MoskitMain
Open search
P-270 Moskit
Community hub
P-270 Moskit
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
P-270 Moskit
P-270 Moskit
P-270 Moskit
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

The P-270 Moskit (Russian: П-270 «Моски́т»; English: Mosquito) is a Soviet supersonic ramjet powered anti-ship cruise missile. Its GRAU designation is 3M80, air launched variant is the Kh-41 and its NATO reporting name is SS-N-22 Sunburn (one of two missiles with that designation). The missile system was designed by the Raduga Design Bureau during the 1970s as a follow-up to the P-120 Malakhit (NATO reporting name "SS-N-9 Siren"). The Moskit was originally designed to be ship-launched, but variants have been adapted to be launched from land (modified trucks), underwater (submarines) and air (reportedly the Sukhoi Su-33, a naval variant of the Sukhoi Su-27), as well as on the Lun-class ekranoplan. The missile can carry conventional and nuclear warheads. The exact classification of the missile is unknown, with varying types reported. This uncertainty is due to the secrecy surrounding an active military weapon. The missile has been purchased and exported to the People's Liberation Army Navy (China) and Egyptian Navy (Egypt).

Key Information

Design

[edit]
A ship of the Pacific Fleet fires Moskit cruise missiles in the Sea of Japan, 2019.

The missile is capable of reaching a speed of Mach 3 (3,700 km/h; 2,300 mph) at high altitude and Mach 2.2 at low-altitude. This speed is 4.25 to 3 times more than speed of the subsonic American Harpoon. The Moskit was designed to be employed against smaller NATO naval groups in the Baltic Sea (Danish and German) and the Black Sea (Turkish) and non-NATO vessels in the Pacific (Japanese, South Korean, etc.), and to defend the Russian mainland against NATO amphibious assault.[3] The missile can perform intensive anti-defense maneuvers with overloads in excess of 10 g, which completed for 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) before the target.[1][4][5]

Variants of the missile have been designated 3M80M, 3M82 (Moskit M).[6] The P-270 designation is believed to be the initial product codename for the class of missile, with the Russian Ministry of Defense GRAU indices (starting with 3M) designating the exact variant of the missile. The 3M80 was its original model. The 3M80M model (also termed 3M80E for export) was a 1984 longer range version of the missile, with the latest version with the longest range being the 3M82 Moskit M. The ASM-MSS / Kh-41 variant is the 1993 air-launched version of the missile.[7]

The 3M80MVE variant has an optional longer 240 kilometres (150 mi) range through a second, high-altitude flight profile setting, however using the higher altitude profile would make the missile detectable at much greater distances.[8]

Specifications

[edit]
Profile of the missile.
Profile of the missile.
  • Launch range:
    • min: 10–12 km (6.2–7.5 mi; 5.4–6.5 nmi)
    • Maximum firing range:[1]
3M80 – 90–120 km (56–75 mi; 49–65 nmi) (surface ship);[9] 250 km (160 mi; 130 nmi) (aircraft)[10]
3M80E – 120 km (75 mi; 65 nmi) (surface ship)
3M80MVE – 140 km (87 mi; 76 nmi) (surface ship, low-altitude trajectory); 240 km (150 mi; 130 nmi) (surface ship, combined trajectory)
  • Missile flight speed: 2,800 km/h (1,700 mph; Mach 2.3)
  • Missile cruising altitude: 10 – 20 m (low-altitude trajectory), under 7 m for the attack at the target.[1][10]
  • Launch sector relative to ship’s lateral plane, ang.deg: ±60
  • Launch readiness time:
    • From missile power-on till first launch: 50 seconds
    • From combat-ready status: 11 seconds
  • Inter-missile launch time (in a salvo): 5 seconds
  • Launch weight:
    • 3M-80E missile 4,150 kg (9,150 lb)
    • 3M-80E1 missile 3,970 kg (8,750 lb)
  • Warhead type: penetrator
  • Warhead weight: 300 kg (explosives 150)
  • Dimensions:
    • Length: 9.385 m
    • Body diameter: 0.8 m
    • Wing span: 2.1 m
    • Folded wing/empennage span: 1.3 m

Variants

[edit]
  • P-80 Zubr (with missile 3M80) shorter dimensions and range.
  • P-270 Moskit (with missile 3M82) longer range and dimensions, maybe faster.
  • Kh-41 air launched AGM (air-to-ground missile) or AShM (anti-ship missile).
  • P-270MV Coastal Anti-Ship, GLCM (ground launch cruise missile), LACM (land attack cruise missile) variants, SSC-7/12 .
  • P-270MVE export version.

Operators

[edit]

Former operators

[edit]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

P-270 Moskit

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The P-270 Moskit (Russian: П-270 «Москит», SS-N-22 Sunburn) is a Soviet-era supersonic anti-ship designed for high-speed, sea-skimming attacks on naval targets. Developed by the Raduga Design Bureau starting in 1973, it entered operational service in 1984 and remains in use today, renowned for its propulsion enabling speeds over Mach 2 and a combat range of 90–160 km depending on the variant. The missile measures 9.385 meters in length with a of 0.76 meters and a launch weight of approximately 3,950 kg, powered by a solid-fuel booster for initial acceleration followed by a liquid-fuel engine sustaining Mach 2.35 flight. It carries a 300 kg high-explosive (with a 150 kg charge) or a in some configurations, guided by an for mid-course flight and active/passive homing for terminal acquisition, achieving a of approximately 1 km. Primarily ship-launched from platforms like Project 956 Sarych-class destroyers and Project 1241 corvettes, it was engineered to overwhelm enemy defenses through low-altitude flight profiles that hug the sea surface at 5–15 meters. Key variants include the baseline 3M80 (90–100 km range), the extended-range 3M82 (100–120 km), and the modernized 3M80MVE with a 160 km reach and high-low attack capability; an air-launched version is designated Kh-41, while export models like the 3M80E limit range to 120 km for international sales. Production ran from 1984 to 2014 at the Progress plant in , , with operators including the , of (on Project 956EM destroyers), and exports to other nations such as . The system has seen limited combat testing but was prominently featured in Russian naval exercises, such as a 2023 firing in the against mock targets and a 2024 launch.

Development

Origins and requirements

During the , the identified a critical need for advanced anti-ship missiles capable of countering the growing threat posed by U.S. Navy carrier battle groups, which were increasingly equipped with advanced air defense systems like and SM-2 surface-to-air missiles. Earlier subsonic missiles, such as the (NATO: SS-N-2 Styx), had proven vulnerable to electronic countermeasures and interception during naval exercises and simulations, prompting a shift toward supersonic designs that could compress enemy reaction times to mere seconds. This strategic imperative was driven by the broader naval competition, where the Soviets prioritized sea denial over power projection, relying on fast, sea-skimming cruise missiles to overwhelm defenses in potential conflict zones like the North Atlantic and . Development of the P-270 Moskit (GRAU: 3M80) began in 1973 at the Raduga Design Bureau, part of the state corporation, as a direct successor to the (NATO: SS-N-9 Siren), which had introduced supersonic capabilities but fell short in range and payload for engaging large surface combatants. The project aimed to integrate lessons from these predecessors, emphasizing propulsion for sustained high-speed flight above Mach 2, low-altitude sea-skimming trajectories to evade detection, and enhanced resistance to electronic jamming through rapid terminal maneuvers and minimal exposure time. Key design decisions focused on arming smaller surface platforms, such as destroyers and corvettes, to bolster fleet missile brigades against carrier-centric task forces. Specific requirements outlined for the Moskit included a range of approximately 90-130 km to enable standoff strikes from forward-deployed ships, a 300 kg high-explosive semi-armor-piercing sufficient to disable major warships, and operational speeds reaching Mach 3 at altitude (Mach 2.2 in low-level attack mode) to reduce defensive response windows to 25-30 seconds. These parameters were shaped by the need to penetrate layered U.S. defenses, ensuring the missile's active seeker and inertial guidance could maintain accuracy despite countermeasures. The emphasis on ramjet augmentation over pure marked a conceptual from the Termit and Malakhit, prioritizing endurance at supersonic velocities for saturation attacks on high-value targets like aircraft carriers.

Testing and production

The testing phase of the P-270 Moskit (3M80) began with initial ground evaluations in the mid-1970s, transitioning to flight tests between 1979 and 1982. These early flight trials utilized modified Il-28 bombers for air-launch simulations and surface platforms, including test boats and destroyers, to validate the 's propulsion and sea-skimming capabilities. Key milestones during testing included the successful ignition at Mach 2.5 in 1981, demonstrating the 's high-speed performance under operational conditions. Full trials followed in 1983-1984 at the test range, where the 's guidance, propulsion, and warhead delivery were rigorously assessed in naval environments. A total of 15 flight tests were conducted, with 8 fully successful outcomes, 5 partial successes, and 2 failures primarily due to and issues. Production commenced in at the plant in , with an initial annual output of 50 units that scaled to 200 by 1990 to meet demands. Early production faced challenges, including failures in low-altitude sea-skimming modes caused by inaccuracies, which were resolved by 1983 through design refinements. The missile was officially adopted by the in 1985 following state trials. First operational deployments occurred in 1986 aboard Sovremenny-class destroyers, marking the integration of the Moskit into frontline surface combatants.

Design

Airframe and propulsion

The P-270 Moskit features a cylindrical designed for aerodynamic efficiency and compatibility with naval launch systems, measuring 9.385 meters in length and 0.76 meters in diameter. Its structure incorporates an ogival made from radio-transparent for seeker integration, a central with four side-mounted air intakes, and a rear section housing the elements, constructed primarily from such as OT4 and spars for durability under high-speed flight. The employs folding wings and tail surfaces in a clipped delta configuration, with a of 2.1 meters when extended and 1.3 meters when folded, enabling compact storage in launch canisters or rails. These folding mechanisms, along with the overall low-profile sea-skimming flight path at altitudes of 7 to 20 meters, exploit the to reduce detection range by enemy defenses. Propulsion is provided by a combined solid-fuel booster and liquid-fueled system, with the booster—integrated into the nozzle—accelerating the to approximately Mach 1.5 during a burn time of 3 to 4 seconds before separation via airflow. The , designated 3D80 and fueled by , then sustains cruise speeds of Mach 2.5 to 2.8, enabling the 's supersonic performance throughout its trajectory. For launch integration, the Moskit supports inclined rail launches from platforms including Sovremenny-class destroyers and Tarantul III corvettes, with wings and control surfaces unfolding post-launch. Booster separation occurs shortly after initial acceleration, transitioning seamlessly to operation.

Guidance and countermeasures

The P-270 Moskit missile utilizes an for mid-course guidance, directing the weapon toward the designated target area during the initial flight phase. This autopilot-based system ensures stable flight over long distances, with the missile climbing to higher altitudes for efficient cruise before descending for the terminal approach. In the terminal phase, guidance shifts to an active radar seeker housed in the missile's radar-transparent , enabling autonomous and homing. The seeker supports both active and passive modes, allowing it to detect and track surface vessels at ranges sufficient for engagement within the missile's operational envelope, while the overall system achieves an accuracy of approximately 1 km (CEP). The follows a sea-skimming , maintaining altitudes of 7 to 20 meters above the surface to reduce cross-section and evade early detection by shipboard defenses. For , it executes a programmed pop-up to higher altitude before a final dive, followed by S-pattern evasive maneuvers in the approach phase to complicate interception efforts; these maneuvers are supported by the 's aerodynamic controls and propulsion , enabling turns that reduce effective range but enhance survivability. To counter defensive measures, the Moskit's design emphasizes resistance through its Mach 2+ speed and low-altitude profile, which severely limit the reaction time for detection, tracking, and engagement by anti-missile systems, leaving only 25 to 30 seconds for countermeasures in optimal scenarios. The active/passive seeker configuration provides inherent electronic counter-countermeasure (ECCM) capabilities, including the potential for home-on-jam operation to exploit enemy emissions, while the missile's overall kinematics overwhelm , decoys, and jamming attempts by saturating defenses.

Warhead options

The P-270 Moskit is equipped with a baseline high-explosive fragmentation weighing 300 kg, containing approximately 150 kg of explosive filler equivalent to a similar amount of TNT for destructive effect. This semi-armor-piercing design enables penetration of ship hulls to cause structural damage and flooding, augmented by the 's high upon impact. An alternative nuclear warhead option was developed for the missile, featuring a yield of 120 kt, intended for strategic strikes against large naval formations such as groups. This capability was part of Cold War-era designs but has not been produced or deployed in significant numbers following the Soviet Union's dissolution, with operational use limited to conventional payloads in modern inventories. Fuzing mechanisms for the warhead include a delayed impact that allows penetration before , maximizing internal damage to armored targets. The system supports semi-armor-piercing effects to induce flooding, with arming coordinated via the missile's guidance . The is integrated forward in the missile structure, positioned immediately behind the nose-mounted guidance and seeker section and separated from the rear engine and by a bulkhead for safety and structural integrity. The total missile launch weight is approximately 4,000-4,500 kg, incorporating around 800 kg of for the sustainer, though exact fuel allocation varies by variant.

Technical specifications

Dimensions and weights

The baseline 3M80 variant of the P-270 Moskit measures 9.385 meters in length, with a body diameter of 0.76 meters. The wingspan is 2.1 meters when extended and 1.3 meters when folded for storage or launch. The missile's launch weight is 3,950 kg, which includes a 300-320 kg high-explosive penetrating warhead. Some sources report a maximum weight of up to 4,500 kg for the baseline configuration, potentially accounting for variations in fuel load or launch adaptations.
ParameterValueSource
Length (without booster)9.385 mMissilery.info, Weaponsystems.net
Diameter0.76 mMissilery.info, RedStar.gr
(extended/folded)2.1 m / 1.3 mMissilery.info, Weaponsystems.net
Total launch weight3,950–4,500 kgMissilery.info, RedStar.gr, GlobalSecurity.org
weight300–320 kgMissilery.info, RedStar.gr

Performance parameters

The P-270 Moskit baseline missile demonstrates high-speed performance, accelerating from launch via a solid-propellant booster to approximately Mach 1.5 before transitioning to ramjet cruise at Mach 2.5–3.0 overall, with sea-level speeds reaching about 850 m/s during low-altitude flight. This enables the missile to cover its operational range in 2–5 minutes from launch to impact, significantly reducing defender reaction time. The 's range for the baseline 3M80 variant is 90 km. Maximum cruise altitude reaches 10,000 m, with the terminal phase conducted at 5–15 m above the sea surface for evasion. Guidance for the baseline model achieves a hit probability of 0.99 against group targets and 0.94 against convoys or landing units. The system is designed for salvo fire, where 1–2 s can incapacitate a . These parameters, enabled by the missile's ramjet propulsion, underscore its role as a high-threat anti-ship weapon.

Variants

3M80 baseline

The 3M80 represents the original production variant of the P-270 Moskit supersonic anti-ship cruise missile, assigned the NATO reporting name SS-N-22A Sunburn. Developed by the Raduga Design Bureau during the late Cold War era, it entered service with the Soviet Navy in 1984, with initial operational deployment on Project 956 (Sovremenny-class) destroyers starting in 1985. This baseline model was engineered to provide a high-speed, sea-skimming strike capability against large naval surface targets, emphasizing penetration of carrier battle group defenses through speed and low-altitude flight. Key performance characteristics of the 3M80 include a maximum range of approximately 90-120 km when launched from surface ships, a terminal phase speed reaching Mach 3 at high altitude (or Mach 2.2 at sea-skimming levels), and a 300 kg semi-armor-piercing high-explosive designed for impact detonation with delayed fusing to maximize structural damage. The missile's baseline propulsion enables sustained supersonic cruise following solid-fuel booster ignition, allowing it to cover typical engagement distances in under 2 minutes. The 3M80 was primarily integrated into naval surface platforms, with compatibility for quadruple launchers accommodating 4-8 missiles per installation—typically 8 on Project 956 destroyers and 4 on Project 1241.1 (Tarantul III-class) corvettes. Limited applications were possible through adaptations for 533 mm launch, though this was not a standard configuration for the baseline variant. Among its operational limitations, the 3M80's design resulted in high fuel consumption, which constrained low-altitude endurance and contributed to its relatively modest range compared to subsonic contemporaries. Additionally, its predictable sea-skimming profile and short time-to-target (25-30 seconds at maximum speed) rendered it vulnerable to advanced close-in weapon systems prevalent before the , though salvo tactics were intended to overwhelm defenses.

3M80M and upgrades

The 3M80M, designated as Moskit-M, represents a significant post-Cold War evolution of the original P-270 Moskit system, entering service in to address limitations in range and precision observed in earlier models. This achieved an extended operational range of 220-260 km through optimizations such as enhanced fuel composition for greater efficiency and a reduced weight, allowing for longer sustained supersonic flight without compromising speed or capacity. Guidance improvements included the adoption of a digital (INS), which provided superior mid-course stability and terminal accuracy, attaining a (CEP) of approximately 5 meters against surface targets. Export adaptations of the 3M80M emphasized compliance with international arms control regimes, notably the (MTCR). The 3M80E export model limits range to 120 km while retaining core supersonic and sea-skimming capabilities. An air-launched version, designated Kh-41, extends the range to 250 km when deployed from aircraft such as the Su-33. As of 2025, no verified hypersonic enhancements—such as propulsion or sustained Mach 5+ speeds—have been publicly confirmed for the Moskit lineage, despite ongoing Russian research into advanced aerodynamics. Production of the 3M80M and related upgrades has been constrained since , primarily due to Western sanctions limiting access to precision components and electronics, resulting in only limited batch manufacturing at facilities like the Raduga design bureau. The continues to maintain the Moskit for high-threat scenarios, though it is shifting toward newer systems like the 3M54 Kalibr.

Operational history

Initial deployments

The P-270 Moskit was first integrated into the Soviet Navy's surface fleet in 1986 aboard the Sovremenny-class destroyer Bezuprechnyy (Project 956), marking the missile's initial shipboard fit as a primary anti-ship weapon. In 1987, the missile underwent trials for integration with the Lun-class , a unique ekranoplan designed to carry six P-270 Moskits in pairs on its dorsal surface for rapid anti-surface strikes during patrols. The Lun entered service that year, providing the Soviet with a novel high-speed delivery platform for the weapon. Export interest emerged in the 1990s, with initial evaluations by in the same decade not leading to a deal at the time, though later acquisitions occurred for their imported Sovremenny-class destroyers.

Notable uses and incidents

The P-270 Moskit has not seen confirmed combat employment as of 2025, despite its design for high-threat naval engagements. Rumors of potential use during the 1991 Gulf War, including unconfirmed Iraqi acquisition offers from Soviet sources, remain unsubstantiated, with no recorded launches by Iraqi forces. Similarly, allegations of deployment in the 2008 were debunked, as Russian naval assets in the Black Sea did not fire the missile during the conflict. Post-Soviet testing has demonstrated the missile's capabilities in exercises. In April 2019, Russian corvettes fired a Moskit missile at a target approximately 55 km away, confirming operational reliability. A March 2023 exercise in the saw two Moskits strike a mock target at 100 km, highlighting coordinated launches from multiple platforms. No confirmed uses occurred in the Russia-Ukraine conflict from 2022 to 2025, though the missile was present on vessels without launches. The Admiral Kuznetsov carrier group deployed to the in late 2016 in support of Syrian operations, carrying Moskit-capable escorts, but no missiles were fired. Incidents involving the Moskit are rare but notable. Strategically, the Moskit serves as a key deterrent against naval operations in the Black Sea, where its supersonic speed and sea-skimming trajectory complicate interception by allied defenses. Post-2010 exercises have emphasized its role in area denial, with Russian forces conducting salvo demonstrations to signal capability against carrier strike groups or amphibious assaults.

Operators

Current operators

Russia remains the primary operator of the P-270 Moskit anti-ship missile system as of 2025. The deploys the missile aboard two active Sovremenny-class (Project 956) destroyers, each equipped with eight launchers. The Udaloy II-class (Project 1155.1) destroyer Admiral Chabanenko is undergoing prolonged repairs and modernization since 2014, with completion delayed beyond 2025 and potential decommissioning; it previously carried eight missiles. Additionally, limited deployments persist on select Tarantul III-class (Project 1241.1) patrol boats with four missiles each, though these are primarily in reserve or secondary roles. Open-source intelligence estimates the Russian stockpile at around 300 missiles, sufficient to arm these platforms while maintaining reserves for coastal defense adaptations, though exact figures remain classified. The inventory has undergone reduction primarily due to the aging of the Soviet-era munitions, with extensions applied selectively. No new production of the baseline 3M80 variant has been confirmed in 2025, as focus shifts to successor systems like the . Egypt operates the P-270 Moskit on two Project 12411 Molniya-class corvettes, ENS S. El Din Zaki (commissioned 2017) and ENS Ahmed Fadel (commissioned 2017), each armed with four missiles. These were acquired from and remain in active service as of 2025. Unconfirmed reports suggest reverse-engineered elements of the Moskit following acquisition of four Sovremenny-class destroyers in the late and early 2000s, but all have since been upgraded to indigenous missiles, resulting in no active Moskit use by the . expressed interest in acquiring the system during the amid post-Cold War naval modernization efforts, but these plans were abandoned in favor of NATO-compatible alternatives.

Former operators

The Soviet Union developed and operated the P-270 Moskit missile starting from its initial operational capability in 1984, deploying it on various naval platforms until the dissolution of the country in 1991, after which its inventories were divided among successor states. inherited P-270 Moskit missiles as part of the Soviet naval assets transferred upon in 1991, including approximately 50 missiles total allocated to three Tarantul-class corvettes (each equipped with four missiles). In 1992, reportedly transferred eight of these missiles to . 's remaining Moskit-equipped vessels faced severe maintenance challenges in the post-Soviet era; by 2014, its last operational Tarantul-II corvette, Prydniprovya, had been seized by n forces during the annexation of , and the systems were fully decommissioned by 2018 with some missiles reportedly transferred to prior to the conflict.

References

  1. https://missiledefenseadvocacy.org/missile-threat-and-proliferation/todays-missile-threat/russia/p-270-moskit-ss-n-22-sunburn/
  2. https://weaponsystems.net/system/1430-P-270%20Moskit
  3. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-fires-supersonic-anti-ship-missile-mock-target-sea-japan-2023-03-28/
  4. https://waradana.com/english/article/132136-russia-launches-antiship-missiles-at-target-in-the-sea-of-japan
  5. https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/moskit.htm
  6. https://www.ausairpower.net/APA-Rus-Cruise-Missiles.html
  7. https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/DOC_0005512849.pdf
  8. https://en.missilery.info/missile/moskit
  9. https://media.nti.org/pdfs/russia_missile.pdf
  10. https://planehistoria.com/p-270-moskit/
  11. https://www.redstar.gr/en/russian-aerial-means/weapons/anti-ship-missile-asm/3m-80e-moskit-anti-ship-missile.html
  12. https://www.deagel.com/Weapons/3M80/a001022
  13. https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/2015/russian-navy_historic-transition_oni201512.pdf
  14. https://www.forecastinternational.com/archive/disp_old_pdf.cfm?ARC_ID=1787
  15. https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/caspian-sea-monster-ekranoplan
  16. https://missilethreat.csis.org/russia-test-fires-p-270-moskit-antiship-missile/
  17. https://www.globalmilitary.net/navies/rus/
  18. https://united24media.com/latest-news/can-russia-save-its-last-big-warships-admiral-chabanenko-teeters-on-the-brink-of-decommissioning-10496
  19. https://www.army-technology.com/features/russias-coastal-defence-systems-supporting-limited-naval-capabilities/
  20. https://www.seaforces.org/marint/Egyptian-Navy/PATROLS/801-Ahmed-Fadel.htm
  21. https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/china-modernizes-its-russian-built-destroyers-new-weapons-201352
  22. https://www.naval-technology.com/projects/sovremenny/
  23. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14751798.2025.2438957
  24. https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/navy-ships/a46627388/russian-tarantula-missile-corvette-sunk/
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.