{{Infobox weapon | name = Kh-38 | image = border|300px | caption = Kh-38ME | type = Tactical air-to-surface missile | service = 2012 (Kh-38ME)<br>2019 (Kh-36) | wars = *Syrian Civil War<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rbth.com/defence/2016/09/14/russia-to-test-new-missiles-in-syria-later-this-year_629957|title=Russia to test new missiles in Syria later this year|date=14 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://alert5.com/2016/09/15/russian-mig-29ks-will-employ-kh-38-in-syria/|title = Russian MiG-29Ks will employ Kh-38 in Syria – Alert 5| date=15 September 2016 }}</ref> *Russo-Ukrainian War | designer = Tactical Missiles Corporation JSC | length = {{convert|4.2|m|ftin|abbr=on|0}}<ref name="grom red samovar" /> | height = | diameter = {{convert|0.31|m|in|abbr=on|1}}<ref name="grom red samovar" /> | is_missile = yes | origin = Russia | used_by = Russia | design_date = 2007 (Kh-38ME) - 2015 (Kh-36) | manufacturer = Tactical Missiles Corporation JSC | unit_cost = | propellant = | production_date = 2015 (Kh-38M) - 2019 (Kh-36) | engine = Two-stage solid rocket motor<ref name="grom red samovar" /> | weight = {{convert|520|kg|lb|abbr=on|sigfig=3}} | wingspan = {{convert|1.14|m|in|abbr=on|1}} | speed = Mach 2.2<ref name="grom red samovar" /> | vehicle_range = up to 70km (Kh-38ML),<ref>{{Cite tweet | user=GuyPlopsky | number=1795718984215777551 | title=In longer range engagements, the Kh-38ML, which has a reported range of 70km...}}</ref> up to 120km (Kh-36 Grom-E1)<ref name="ktrv">{{cite web |url=http://eng.ktrv.ru/production/military_production/multipurpose_missiles/airborne_tactical_guided_modular_missile_kh-25mae.html |title=Airborne guided missile "GROM-E1" |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220726075402/http://eng.ktrv.ru/production/military_production/multipurpose_missiles/airborne_tactical_guided_modular_missile_kh-25mae.html |archive-date=2022-07-26 |url-status=live}}</ref> | altitude = 200-12000 m | filling = HE fragmentation, cluster warhead, armor-piercing | filling_weight = up to {{convert|250|kg|lb|abbr=on|sigfig=3}}<ref name="grom red samovar" /> | detonation = Contact fuse | accuracy = | yield = | guidance = Laser, active radar, IR, satellite, depending on variant | launch_platform = Kh-38: Su-34, Su-25SM3, Su-57, Ka-52K, MiG-29K<br />Kh-36: Su-57, MiG-35 }}

The '''Kh-38/Kh-38M''' ({{langx|ru|Х-38}}) is a family of standoff air-to-surface missiles meant to succeed the Kh-25 and Kh-29 missile families. The Kh-38 also serves as the basis for the Kh-36 unpowered and powered glide-bombs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.twz.com/air/our-best-look-at-russias-kh-38-missile-now-being-used-in-ukraine |title=Our Best Look At Russia's Kh-38 Missile Now Being Used In Ukraine |website=The War Zone |date=14 May 2024 |first=Thomas |last=Newdick}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.twz.com/the-truth-about-russias-mysterious-winged-glide-bombs |title=The Truth About Russia's Mysterious Winged Glide Bombs |website=The War Zone |date=19 July 2023 |first=Piotr |last=Butowski }}</ref>

==Design and development== 400px|thumb|right

The basic configuration of the Kh-38M was revealed at the 2007 Moscow Air Show (MAKS). The first prototypes of the missile had initially folding wings and tail fins for internal carriage, and would have a variety of seeker heads for different variants.<ref>Barrie, Douglas and Komarov, Alexey. "War on Two Fronts for Russia's Missile Builders ". Aviation Week, 10 September 2007. Retrieved: 25 May 2014.</ref> Different warheads (fragmentation, cluster munitions, penetrating) can also be fitted. The Kh-38M is meant to succeed the Kh-25 and Kh-29 missile families. It can be used by combat aircraft such as the Sukhoi Su-34 and Sukhoi Su-57, and it is planned to be integrated on the Kamov Ka-52K helicopter. The first test firing took place in 2010 from a Su-34, and production was ordered to start in 2015.<ref name="grom red samovar">{{cite web |title=[Actu] La bombe guidée 9A-7759 Grom |url=https://redsamovar.com/2018/06/26/actu-la-bombe-guidee-9a-7759-grom/ |website=Red Samovar |date=26 June 2018}}</ref>

In a successive version, unveiled at MAKS 2017, both control surfaces were replaced by longer and narrower fixed ones, a solution similar to the one used in the Selenia Aspide missile.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rusaviainsider.com/maks-tactical-missiles-corporation-shows-kh-38-changes|title = MAKS: Tactical Missiles Corporation shows Kh-38 changes - Russian aviation news|date = 20 July 2017}}</ref>{{update after|2017}}<!-- so then what? a concept reveal at an air show does not mean it ever went into production. was this tested? if so, how'd that go? did it enter into operational use? when? -->

==Operational history== The Kh-38M was first used in combat during the Russian military intervention in the Syrian civil war.<ref name="grom red samovar" /> It was also used during the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Newdick |first1=Thomas |title=Our Best Look At Russia's Kh-38 Missile Now Being Used In Ukraine |url=https://www.twz.com/air/our-best-look-at-russias-kh-38-missile-now-being-used-in-ukraine |access-date=19 May 2024 |work=The War Zone |date=May 14, 2024}}</ref>

==Variants== ===Kh-38=== *'''Kh-38MA''' - inertial, active radar homing<ref name="grom red samovar" /> *'''Kh-38MK''' - inertial, satellite guidance<ref name="grom red samovar" /> *'''Kh-38ML''' - inertial, semi-active laser guidance<ref name="grom red samovar" /> *'''Kh-38MT''' - inertial, imaging infrared guidance<ref name="grom red samovar" />{{Better source needed|date=May 2025}}

===Kh-36=== *'''Kh-36 Grom-E1''' - Rocket assisted version of the Grom-E2. Sometimes referred as a hybrid missile glide bomb.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.defence-ua.com/analysis/new_russian_grom_e1_missile_on_what_is_it_really_based-6147.html |title=New Russian Grom-E1 Missile: On What Is It Really Based |website=Defense UA |date=22 March 2023 |first=Sofiia |last=Syngaivska }}</ref> AS-23 tactical cruise missile derivative/AGM with 120&nbsp;km range<ref name="ktrv"/> *'''Kh-36 Grom-E2''' - AS-23B/KAB-type guided glide bomb with 50&nbsp;km range.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://eng.ktrv.ru/production/military_production/multipurpose_missiles/air-to-surface_multi-purpose_missile_kh-25mse.html |title=Airborne guided gliding bomb "GROM-E2" |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720191936/http://eng.ktrv.ru/production/military_production/multipurpose_missiles/air-to-surface_multi-purpose_missile_kh-25mse.html |archive-date=2021-07-20 |url-status=live |date=2021-07-20}}</ref> Both versions of the '''Grom''' are of 600&nbsp;kg weight, with various guidance mechanisms, and both are created on the basis of the '''Kh-38M''' short-range tactical missile and also have modular structures, warheads and seekers. This weapon was first seen at MAKS 2015, and intended to equip all types of fighters, including the MiG-35 and Su-57.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vpk.name/news/310029_proizvoditel_raskryil_harakteristiki_noveishih_aviacionnyih_sredstv_porazheniya_grom.html|title = Производитель раскрыл характеристики новейших авиационных средств поражения "Гром"| date=6 August 2019 }}</ref>

==See also== *Kh-25 *AGM-65 Maverick *Brimstone *FT-12 *Joint Air-to-Ground Missile

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category|Raduga Kh-38}} * [http://eng.ktrv.ru/production/military_production/multipurpose_missiles/kh-38me.html Manufacturer information of the Kh-38] * [https://www.janes.com/article/89715/ktrv-finalises-development-of-grom-air-to-surface-munition-variants KTRV finalises development of Grom air-to-surface munition variants]

{{Russian and Soviet missiles|ASM}} {{Russian and Soviet military designation sequences}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}

Category:Air-to-surface missiles of Russia Category:Tactical Missiles Corporation products Category:Military equipment introduced in the 2010s