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Originally published by IslamicWorldNews
The KS‑172, also known as K‑100, Izdeliye‑172, AAM‑L, and R‑172, is a Russian very‑long‑range air‑to‑air missile designed to target Airborne Early Warning and Control (AWACS) aircraft, aerial refueling tankers, and command‑and‑control planes. According to various sources, its claimed range extends up to 400 kilometers. The design and development of the KS‑172 has been a lengthy and complex project, and recent reports in 2025 suggest that the missile has entered service with the Russian Air Force. In this article, we will take a closer look at KS-172 missile.
Design and Development History
The concept of creating a very‑long‑range air‑to‑air missile in Russia dates back to the early 1990s. Development began under the project name “Izdeliye‑172” by the Novator Design Bureau, with mock‑ups displayed at exhibitions starting in 1993. Due to funding shortages, the program was halted during the 1990s, but in the early 2000s it was revived with new investments and export negotiations (including talks with India). This led to the introduction of updated variants such as 172S‑1, K‑100, and eventually KS‑172.
Throughout its development, the core objective remained unchanged: to destroy or disable enemy airborne strategic platforms such as AWACS and aerial refueling tankers. Engineering efforts focused on extending range, improving seekers, and enabling strikes from beyond enemy defensive lines.
Reports suggest the program was suspended until the early 2010s, but by the mid‑2020s speculation emerged about its return to service, potentially deployed on MiG‑31s or upgraded Sukhoi fighters.
KS‑172 Body Structure, Dimensions, and Aerodynamics
The body design of the KS‑172 shows similarities to certain surface‑to‑air missile configurations. According to available specifications, the missile’s fuselage length ranges from 6.0 to 7.5 meters depending on the version and whether a booster is attached. Its approximate body diameter is 0.4 meters, with the detachable booster capable of increasing both the overall length and diameter.
The fins vary across different designs, typically measuring between 0.6 and 0.75 meters, reflecting the missile’s aerodynamic optimization for long‑range interception missions.
KS-172 missile
The missile’s reported weight falls within the range of 700–750 kilograms, reflecting the presence of a substantial warhead, a large guidance system, and a powerful propulsion unit.
Its aerodynamic design is optimized for high‑altitude flight with minimal range loss. Exhibition models have displayed different tail configurations and variations in control surfaces, highlighting ongoing refinements to maximize performance and adaptability across versions.
Internal Components of the KS‑172 Missile
1) Guidance and Navigation System
The KS‑172 employs inertial navigation (INS) during the initial and mid‑course phases, combined with the ability to receive trajectory corrections via data/radio link until approaching the target. In the terminal phase, a large active radar homing (ARH) seeker with significant lock‑on range takes over to secure final tracking of airborne targets. The seeker is designed to detect medium‑ to large‑radar‑cross‑section aircraft at long distances. Reports mention the use of advanced Russian radar seeker variants with resistance to electronic countermeasures (ECM) and strong active performance. This combination—INS with radio correction and final ARH lock—is essential for achieving very long ranges and high hit accuracy.
2) Propulsion System and Booster
Reported versions of the KS‑172 primarily use solid‑fuel propulsion. To achieve extreme ranges, a tandem propulsion system is employed: a powerful initial booster (solid rocket or jet) accelerates the missile to cruise speed, followed by a second solid‑fuel motor sustaining range or enabling extended cruise/glide profiles. Some models reportedly feature boosters with thrust vector control (TVC) for improved maneuverability and extended reach. The presence or absence of a booster directly affects range—non‑booster versions are cited at ~300 km, while booster‑equipped variants reach up to ~400 km.
3) Warhead
The missile carries a high‑explosive fragmentation warhead, designed to create a wide damage zone and maximize effectiveness against large airborne platforms. Sources indicate a warhead weight of around 50 kg, sufficient to disable or destroy bulky aircraft such as AWACS or tankers. The fuze system likely combines radar/proximity and impact fuzes, ensuring effectiveness against maneuvering airborne targets.
4) Control System and Aerodynamic Surfaces
Early KS‑172 prototypes used fins and control surfaces similar to surface‑to‑air missiles. Later versions introduced modifications to better suit aircraft carriage aerodynamics and allow multiple missiles to be mounted under wings or on centerline pylons. The control surfaces and body design enable stable release at high altitude and speed, ensuring reliable long‑range flight performance.
5) Electronics, Signal Processing, and ECM Resistance
A major focus of the project has been the development of robust signal processors and ECCM (Electronic Counter‑Countermeasures) algorithms. Russian manufacturers claim that advanced seeker versions can detect and track targets even in heavily jammed environments, though independent field data and analysis remain limited.
Variants of the KS‑172 Missile
Over the years, multiple names and configurations have been associated with this missile family. The most notable include:
- Izdeliye‑172 / KS‑172 / AAM‑L (Prototype): The original design by Novator, with a mock‑up first displayed in 1993.
- 172S‑1 / K‑100 / K‑100‑1: Modified versions developed in the early to mid‑2000s, featuring changes in body structure and booster design. These variants were showcased at MAKS air shows, with the names often used interchangeably in different sources.
- Long‑range and Export Versions: Reports suggest the preparation of models with ranges around 300 km for export markets, and booster‑equipped versions capable of reaching up to ~400 km.
The transformation of the KS‑172 missile throughout its development process is clearly illustrated in this comparison. Top image, the initial prototype displayed at exhibitions in 1993, representing the early design phase, and the bottom image, a more advanced version showcased in subsequent years, reflecting modifications in body structure, booster configuration, and aerodynamic surfaces introduced during the 2000s
Export Market, Operators, and Latest Developments of the KS‑172 Missile
The KS‑172 has been offered commercially several times, with negotiations involving India and other potential partners. In the early 2000s, India was reported to have invested or participated in the project to develop a variant for its Su‑30MKI fighters. However, the details of production agreements and final development remain unclear in public records.
By the mid‑2010s through the early 2020s, reports suggested that the program had been halted or discontinued. Yet, in the mid‑2020s, new claims emerged pointing to a revival of the project.
The latest updates, attributed to military analysts citing Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), indicate that in 2025 a final version of the missile—boasting a range of 400 km or more—was introduced into service with Russian MiG‑31s. Still, official confirmation and transparent government documentation remain limited.
Different sources report varying range figures, from 300 km to over 400 km, with discrepancies likely tied to how “range” is defined and the missile’s launch profile—whether direct line‑of‑sight, extended glide trajectory, or booster‑assisted flight.
KS-172 missile
Many sources have described the KS‑172 as an “export‑focused project”, intended to market reduced‑range variants to international buyers. However, there is little evidence of widespread, confirmed operational use by foreign customers.
Exhibition displays, mock‑ups, and promotional efforts indicate that India and other markets were targeted through marketing campaigns and negotiations. Yet, the details of final contracts or production agreements have not been made publicly transparent, leaving the export track record of the KS‑172 largely uncertain.
Summary and Key Features
The KS‑172 represents a symbolic effort to develop an ultra‑long‑range air‑to‑air missile, specifically designed to neutralize high‑value airborne platforms of the enemy.
Key highlights include:
- Very long range capability enabling engagement far beyond frontline defenses
- Hybrid guidance system: inertial navigation with mid‑course data‑link corrections, followed by active radar homing in the terminal phase
- Weight and warhead size optimized to inflict serious damage on large airborne targets such as AWACS and tankers
- Tandem propulsion arrangement (booster + solid rocket motor) to achieve extended flight profiles and ranges
The project’s history—marked by repeated halts, export negotiations, and speculation about operational deployment on specific aircraft—illustrates the technical, financial, and political challenges of building such advanced weaponry.
If a proven version of the KS‑172 with a range exceeding 300 km enters service, it would represent a significant shift in long‑range aerial combat capabilities, with strategic implications for the protection of AWACS, refueling tankers, and other critical airborne assets in modern air warfare.
KS-172 missile specifications:
Type: Long-range air-to-air missile
Origin: Russia
Manufacturer: Novator
Design: 1991
Length: 7.4 m
Diameter of the first stage: 51 cm
Diameter of the body: 40 cm
Propellant: Tandem rocket booster, Solid fuel
Range: 400 km
Speed: Mach 3.3 (4000 km/h)
Weight: 750 kg
Warhead: 50 kg HE-frag
Flight altitude: 30 km
Guidance: INS – ARH
Launch platforms: MiG-31, Sukhoi 27/30/35/57 fighters.
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