According to the World Wide Web quoted Russian Satellite News Agency, the Russian Army’s Figure 22-M3 “Backfire” long-range missile bomber tested the latest X-23 (Kh-32) cruise missile, which is mainly used to hit surface targets. Since it is difficult for the air defense system of modern aircraft carriers to intercept such missiles, the missile is also called the "carrier killer."
Figure-22M3 bomber
reported that since 2016, the X-32 cruise missile has been in service, and the missile will gradually replace the X-22 missile carried by the Figure-22M3 bomber. It is reported that the maximum speed of the X-32 is close to the hypersonic speed. When the altitude exceeds 30 kilometers, the speed can reach Mach 5 and the range is close to 1,000 kilometers. A source said that the Tu-22M3 bomber and the X-32 missile were launched several times, and the Russian military also tested the missile at the range.
In addition to throwing out the X-32 this big killer, the source also revealed that the missile will become the main strike weapon of the Tu-22M3M. According to the report, Figure 22-M3M is a deeply improved version of Figure -22M3. The first prototype has flown for the first time at the end of 2018, and the second prototype has undergone flight testing in March 2020. According to speculation, the maximum flight speed of the Tu-22M3M can reach Mach 2 and the combat radius is 2,000 kilometers. If the Tu-22M3M is officially equipped with the Russian army, with the support of the X-32, the US aircraft carrier may face a disaster. According to the report, after mounting the X-32, the Tu-22M3M can launch missiles without entering the US aircraft carrier air defense circle. How the US military will respond to the attack will also be a problem.
Figure-22M3 bomber
Some analysts believe that Russia's announcement of X-32 and Figure-22M3M information at this time is not without a target. This may be a response to the recent small actions of the US military. According to reports, the United States has frequently demonstrated the LRASM long-range subsonic anti-ship missile in recent times. The missile has strong stealth performance and has a range of 900 kilometers. With this missile, the US military can destroy large Chinese and Russian ships at a long distance. Faced with the "show off" of the United States, it is not surprising that Russia has outperformed the X-32 in range and speed.
LRASM anti-ship missile
In addition to the United States frequently displaying LRASM missiles, the US Navy is also uneasy. For a long time in the past, US warships have often entered Russian waters in the name of "freedom of navigation." Russian warships have also had conflicts with the US military. In December 2018, the USS "Mc Campbell" guided missile destroyer entered Peter the Great Bay and was later driven by the Russian "Admiral Tribuzzi"; in 2019, the US and Russian warships almost collided; in November last year, the US military The destroyer "John McCain" entered Peter the Great Bay, and the USS Admiral Vinogradov, which was responsible for monitoring US warships, drove it out of the waters; in January this year, the US Secretary of the Navy also claimed that for " To curb Moscow’s expansion in high Arctic latitudes, Russia will regularly sail in the Arctic waters near Russia; not long ago, the USS "Donald Cook" destroyer entered the Black Sea and was monitored by the Russian Air Force. Faced with the actions of the US military, Russia must make a strong response in order to effectively generate deterrence. At this time, the X-32, which can pose a deadly threat to the US aircraft carrier, has become a good choice.
John McCain
It is foreseeable that as the X-32 and Figure-22M3M technology matures and begin to equip the Russian army in large quantities, the U.S. army will also think twice when testing or provoking Russia. By then, the US military may no longer enter and exit Russian waters at will.
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