X-69, the stealth ground-attack cruise missile designed for Russia’s Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jet

During the «Army-2023» military-technical forum held August 14-20 at Patriot Park near Moscow, a model of the X-69 precision strike cruise missile, designed to be employed by the Su-57, was shown to the public for the first time.

Designed by the Tactical Missile Corporation (KTRV), the new X-69 missile is intended to destroy a variety of stationary ground targets, whose position coordinates are known prior to launch.

Its manufacturer defines the X-69 as a multifunctional, stealthy and highly accurate cruise missile and was specifically designed as part of the new generation of smart weaponry available for the Russian Su-57 fifth-generation fighter.

Their rectangular shape was designed so that they can be stored in the internal weapons bays of the Su-57, which could carry up to 4 of these munitions internally. And together with the application of radar absorbing materials (RAM), they contribute to making the X-69 difficult to detect by enemy air defense assets.

X-69 stealth cruise missile. Photo: Rosoboronexport

The general director of the Tactical Missile Weapons Corporation (KTRV), Boris Obnosov, stated in an interview to Russian media that he is «sure that in the future the X-69 will be one of the most requested missiles (by the Russian Defense Ministry). Naturally, it has great export potential.» The X-69 is not an exclusive ammunition for the Su-57, as it will also be integrated into the Sukhoi Su-30MK, Su-32/32, Su-35 and MiG-35 family of aircraft, both of the Russian Armed Forces and in their export versions. It will surely also be part of the Su-75 Checkmate’s weapons panoply, as it shares the same ventral weapons bay design as the Su-57.

Characteristics of the X-69

According to information provided by the manufacturer, the missile is equipped with an integrated automatic navigation and control system, based on inertial and satellite navigation equipment. It can also access the commercial channels of the GLONASS and GPS NAVSTAR satellite navigation systems. It is equipped with a radio altimeter to enable it to fly very close to the ground and will be fitted with an electro-optical (EO) system for terminal guidance.

The warhead is structurally interchangeable and allows the integration of a penetrating warhead, to attack fortified targets such as command bunkers, bridges, etc. or it can be equipped with a cluster warhead, for «soft» and dispersed targets, such as air defense systems, troop/vehicle concentrations, artillery positions, etc.