3M-54 Kalibr

The missile is a modular system with five versions: two anti-shipping types, one for land attack and two anti-submarine types. The missile is designed to share common parts between the surface and submarine-launched variants but each missile consists of different components, for example, the booster. The missile can be launched from a surface ship using a Vertical Launch System (VLS). It has a booster with thrust vectoring capability. The missile launched from a submarine torpedo tube has no need for such an addition but has a conventional booster instead. The air launched version is held in a container that is dropped as the missile launches, detaching from the container.

Kalibr land attack versions in use by Russia have various claimed maximum ranges. The U.S. Department of Defense estimates its range at 1,400 km (870 mi), and Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu put its range at "almost 1,500 km (930 mi)." Following its first operational firing in October 2015, Russian Ministry of Defence statements suggested a range of 2,000 km (1,200 mi), while a December 2015 Office of Naval Intelligence report gathered a number of Russian statements projecting ranges between 1,500-2,500 km (1,600 mi). Discrepancies in range values may be attributed to political declarations for strategic effect,[1] or potentially longer 2,500 km-range claims could be associated with a thermonuclear armed variant while shorter 1,500 km-range estimates are for the conventionally armed missile.[6]

Terminal supersonic flight

3M-54E maquette

The Russian domestic variant (3M54T / 3M54K) and export variants (3M54TE/3M54KE) fly at sub-sonic speeds while achieving supersonic speed as they near their target. They are also capable of performing very high angled defensive high speed maneuvers in contrast to the common linear flight path of other anti-ship cruise missiles.[7]

• On 7 October 2015, a Gepard class frigate and three Buyan-M class Russian Navy corvettes, part of the Caspian Flotilla launched 26 Kalibr-NK system cruise missiles 3M14T from the Caspian Sea at 11 targets in Syria during the Syrian Civil War.[8] The missiles traveled 1,500 km (932 mi) through Iranian and Iraqi airspace and struck targets in Raqqa and Aleppo provinces (controlled by the Islamic State) but primarily in Idlib province (controlled by the Free Syrian Army and Nusra Front).[9][10][11] Anonymous US DoD officials alleged that four missiles crashed in Iran.[12] The US officials offered no evidence while Russian and Iranian governments denied the claim of missile crash.[13] Pentagon and State Department officials refused to comment on the reports.[14] Russia posted video footage of 26 Kalibr missile launches as well as several videos of missile impacts without time or location information.[15]

Some sources claim that the Russian navy launched 26 missiles as a message to the US navy, because the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 75) was sailing in the north area of the Persian Gulf, and was within the range of the missile (as Theodore Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States).

• On 20 November 2015 Russia launched 18 3M14T cruise missiles from the Caspian Sea onto targets in Syria, the targets were in Raqqa, Idlib and Aleppo.[16][17][18][19]
• On 9 December 2015 Russia fired a group of 3M14K cruise missiles from Kalibr-PL system at positions occupied by Daesh from the Improved Kilo-class submarine B-237 Rostov-on-Don deployed in the Mediterranean.[20][21]
• On 19 August 2016 Russia launched three Kalibr-NK cruise missiles from Buyan-class corvette Zelenyy Dol and Serpukhov deployed in the eastern Mediterranean, and struck al-Nusra targets in the Aleppo province.[22]
• On 20 September 2016 Russian state media reported that Russian warships in the Mediterranean fired three Kalibr-NK missiles at western Aleppo, near Mount Simeon. The Russians claimed that the missile strike killed “30 Israeli and Western officers directing the terrorists’ attacks in Aleppo and Idlib".[23]
• On 15 November 2016 Russian frigate Admiral Grigorovich fired at least three missiles against targets in Idlib and Homs provinces, Syria.[24][25]
• On 31 May 2017 the Russian frigate Admiral Essen and submarine Krasnodar launched four missiles against targets east of Palmyra, Syria.[26][27][28]
• On 23 June 2017 Russian frigates Admiral Grigorovich and Admiral Essen, and the submarine Krasnodar fired six Kalibr missiles at Daesh arms depot targets in Hama.[29][30][31][32][33]
• On 5 September 2017 the Russian frigate Admiral Essen fired some Kalibr missiles on Daesh targets made by command posts, a communications center, a facility repairing armored vehicles, arms and ammunition depots as part of an operation to take Deir ez-Zor.[34]
• On 14 September 2017 the Russian submarines Veliky Novgorod and Kolpino fired seven Kalibr missiles on Daesh targets made by command posts, communications centers, ammunition depots in the south-east of Deir ez-Zor.[35]
• On 22 September 2017 the Russian submarine Veliky Novgorod fired at least three Kalibr missiles on al-Nusra in the Idlib province. The missile strike destroyed command centers, training bases and armored vehicles.[36][37]
• On 5 October 2017 the Russian submarines Veliky Novgorod and Kolpino launched 10 Kalibr missiles. The strikes were to support Syrian troops conducting a ground offensive in Deir-ez-Zor province.[38][39][40]
• On 31 October 2017 the Russian submarine Veliky Novgorod launched 3 Kalibr missiles. The strikes were again to support Syrian troops conducting a ground offensive in Deir-ez-Zor province.[41]
• On 3 November 2017 the Russian submarine Kolpino launched 6 Kalibr missiles from a submerged position. Missiles hit terrorists’ strongholds, weapon and ammunition depots, concentrations of militants, and important command centres near Abu Kamal, Deir-ez-Zor.[42][43]
• On 3 February 2018 Russian frigates and submarines active in the Mediterranean sea launched several Kalibr missiles on the positions of rebels in the Idlib province, Syria where the Sukhoi Su-25 attack aircraft of Major Roman Filipov was shot down, killing about 30.[44]

Domestic variants are basic versions of this missile family; these are the 3M54 and 3M14. The export model is called Club (formerly Klub). There are two major launch platforms: the Kalibr-PL (export Club-S), designed for use from submarines, and the Kalibr-NK (export Club-N), designed for surface ships. These two launch platforms can be equipped with the following warhead and guidance combinations:[45]

Export variants

3M-54E1 maquette

Club-S

• 3M-54E Club-S[53] is the submarine-launched anti-shipping variant, Its basic length is 8.2 m (27 ft), with a 200 kg (440 lb) warhead. Its range is 220 km; (note that its range is less than the 3M-54). It is a sea-skimmer with a supersonic terminal speed and a flight altitude of 4.6 metres (15 ft) at its final stage is 2.9 mach.[54]

3M-14E maquette

• 3M-54E1 is a submarine-launched anti-shipping variant, Its basic length is 6.2 m (20 ft), with a 200 kg (440 lb) warhead. Its range is 300 km (190 mi). It is a sea-skimmer with a subsonic terminal speed of 0.8 mach. It is allegedly capable of disabling or even sinking an aircraft carrier.[55]
• 3M-14E An inertially guided land attack variant; it is launched from a submarine. Its basic length is 6.2 m (20 ft), with a 450 kg (990 lb) warhead. Its range is 300 km (190 mi). It has a subsonic terminal speed of 0.8 mach.
• 91RE1 A submarine-launched anti-submarine variant, it consists of two stages, one solid booster with four grid fins and one anti-submarine light torpedo. Its basic length is 7.65 m (25.1 ft), it has a range of 50 km (31 mi). It can reach supersonic speed. The torpedo has a warhead weight of 76 kg (168 lb). It is similar to the American ASROC/SUBROC missile/torpedo system. It follows a ballistic path on the surface, with a speed of Mach 2.5.

91RE1 maquette

Club-N

• 3M-54TE Club-N[53] - A surface vessel with VLS launched anti-shipping variant; with a thrust vectoring booster. Its basic length is 8.9 m, its warhead weight and other performance is the same as the 3M-54E. Its range is less than the 3M-54. It is a sea-skimmer with supersonic terminal speed and a flight altitude of 15 feet (4.6 m) at its final stage, when it has a speed of 2.9 mach, with a range of 220 km (140 mi) at supersonic speed.
• 3M-54TE1 - A surface ship with VLS anti-shipping variant, with thrust vectoring booster. Its basic length is 8.9 m (29 ft), its warhead weight and other performance is the same as the 3M-54E1. A sea-skimmer with a subsonic terminal speed of 0.8 mach.
• 3M-14TE - An inertially guided land attack variant. It is a surface ship with VLS missile and a thrust vectoring booster. Its basic length is 8.9 m (29 ft), its warhead weight and other performances are the same as the 3M-14E. Its subsonic terminal speed is 0.8 mach, with a range of 300 km (190 mi) at supersonic speed.

91RTE2 maquette

• 91RTE2 - A surface ship with the VLS launched anti-submarine variant; it consists of three stages, one booster with thrust vector nozzle, one conventional booster, and one anti-submarine light torpedo. Its basic length is 8.9 m (29 ft), with a range of 40 km (25 mi) at supersonic speed. The torpedo has a warhead weight of 76 kg (168 lb). The lightest of all variants, with a launch weight of 1,300 kg (2,900 lb). Speed is Mach 2.

Indian Navy frigate INS Tabar firing the Club missile.

Club-K, erected in a container ship (artist's impression)

Club-K erected in a standard container

a cutaway view of a Club-K container system

'Club-K' - a Russian container complex of missile weapons, placed in the standard 20- and 40-foot sea container. Designed to defeat surface and ground targets. The complex can be mounted on shorelines, vessels of various classes, rail platforms and Trucks. It is a modification of the Kalibr missile system.

The Russian Kilo class, Lada class, Akula class, Yasen class, Borei class are the submarine launch platforms for the missiles.

The Russian Admiral Gorshkov class, Admiral Grigorovich class, Gepard class frigates are able to carry these missiles. Also the Indian Talwar class frigate is another shipborne launch platform for the Club missile system.

The Russian Gremyashchy class, Buyan-M class, the second batch of Steregushchy class corvettes and the Karakurt class are low displacement platforms with Kalibr system ability.

In addition, it is believed by some analysts that an air-launched variant will be developed to arm the Tu-142s currently in service with the Russian navy. A truck mounted version is planned for development by the Novator Design Bureau. A Club-K variant, which is disguised as a shipping container that can be placed on a truck, train, or merchant vessel, was advertised in 2010 and was shown for the first time at the MAKS 2011 air show.[57][58][59] Putting the launcher system into a standard shipping container allows the missiles to be moved and stored without arousing suspicion, which in turn renders pre-emptive strikes against the launcher very difficult. In MAKS 2007, the 3M-54AE was placed beside a Su-35. This means the plane will have the ability to launch the Club-A variants. The lighter 3M-14AE was also beside MiG-35.

Map with kalibr operators

•  Russia:
  •  Russian Navy uses the 3M14, 3M54, 3M54-1, 91R1, 91RT2. Submarine-launched variants (entered service in 2016)[60] are used by Kilo-class submarine, Lada-class submarine, Akula-class submarine, Oscar II-class submarine and the Yasen-class submarine. Surface ship launched variants are used by the Gremyashchy class, Karakurt class, Buyan-M class corvettes, Gepard class, Admiral Gorshkov class and the Admiral Grigorovich class frigates.
•  Algeria: The Algerian National Navy uses the 'Club-S' variant for their Kilo class submarines.
•  India: The Indian Navy uses both 'Club-S' and 'Club-N' variants for the Kilo class submarines (known as the Sindhughosh Class in Indian service), the Talwar class frigates respectively.[61]
•  Vietnam: The Vietnam People's navy uses the 'Club-S' variant for its six Kilo class submarines.[62]
•  China: The People's Liberation Army Navy uses the 'Club-S' variant for its Kilo class submarines.[63]
•  Iran: Contradictory sources[64][65] indicate that the Iranian Navy is thought to have purchased or is about to purchase 'Club-S' missiles for its three Kilo class submarines.

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to 3M-54 Klub.

• CSIS Missile Threat - SS-N-30
• Producer, corporate WWW
• "3M-54 Klub". Federation of American Scientists. Archived from the original on 5 February 2007. Retrieved 2007-02-27.
• "Klub (SS-N-27) ASCN". Bharat Rakshak Monitor. Archived from the original on 2007-02-05. Retrieved 2007-02-27.
• "3M-54 Klub". Globalsecurity.org. Archived from the original on 20 February 2007. Retrieved 2007-02-27.
• "Navy Systems". Globalsecurity.org (Navy Systems). Archived from the original on 14 March 2007. Retrieved 2007-03-23.