NPO Mashinostroyenia has completed Russian state acceptance trials of the Yakhont anti-ship cruise missile, which has now entered Russian naval service, says NPO Mash general director Gerbert Efremov.
The 3,000kg (6,600lb) fire-and-forget weapon has a 250kg warhead and a 290km (160nm) range. The winged missile flies at Mach 2.8. The estimated $240 million development costs have been equally split between NPO Mash and India's Defence Research and Development Organisation. The pair formed the Brahmos joint venture in 1998. Brahmos is developing a Yakhont derivative for the Indian armed forces.
"Our investment in the programme is beginning to pay off", Efremov says. NPO Mash is responsible for mass production of the missiles for Brahmos, while India is developing the flight control and navigation systems.
Brahmos plans to start missile mass production next year. The missile had its first successful firing trial at an Indian test range in June last year. At the end of this year, the missile will be test launched from Indian navy ships, Efremov says.
Further developments include: a system incorporating the Yakhont; the NPO Mash Strela lightweight launch vehicle; Korvet-E low-Earth orbit satellites; and ground-control posts. An improved guidance system will allow precision strikes against ground targets.
Yakhont technologies are also to be used in Russia's next-generation cruise missiles, developed as part of the Alfa project.
Source: Flight International