Recently procured Mil and Kamov combat helicopters are to be equipped with a newly developed 305E multi-role missile which was developed by the Kolomna-based KBM Design bureau, the High Precision Weapons (HPW) subsidiary. Showcased during the ARMY-2021 expo in August, the missile has been positioned as one of the main types of guided weapons for the modernised Mi-28NM and Ka-52M helicopters, and was presented to the Russia’s Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on board both rotorcraft. During ARMY-2021, the MoD signed a contract with the Russian Helicopters (RH)holding for the supply of a batch of 30 modernised Ka-52M helicopters in 2022 and 2023.Simultaneously, the Russian military contracted the Rostvertol plant (an RH subsidiary) for delivery of 98 Mi-28NM helicopters by 2027. The missile is reportedly combat proven and allowed for export, so therefore received the letter ‘E’ in the designation.
The 305E missile is designed for:
- round-the-clock engagement of single/group
- moving/stationary ground/surface heat-contrast objects
- sheltered/openly deployed manpower
The light multipurpose guided missile 305E is built according to the aerodynamic “duck” scheme, the rudders are in the head of the rocket, and the wings, which also serve as a stabiliser, are located in the tail part of the rocket body. All of them are foldable.
According to the official data distributed by the manufacturer at the Army-2021 forum, the 305E missile has a weight of 105 kg, a length of 1945 mm and a body diameter of 200 mm. The weight of the blast-fragmentation warhead is 25 kg. The solid-propellant engine provides missile’s speed of up to 250 m / s, a guaranteed (as said in the KBM booklet) flight range of up to 14,500 m and a flight altitude of 100 to 600 m. The missile features modular design and can be armed with different warheads.
Further Technical Details
The missile’s guidance system is combined. Inertial guidance is teamed with correction from satellite navigation equipment and self-guidance under control of seeker with ability to involve operators at the terminal part of trajectory. The missile is fired from the APU-305 launchers, designed for one or two missiles. In addition to integration with Ka-52M and Mi-28NM, the missile can be adapted to other helicopters, on customer’s request, the source added.
The Russian media has reported that the MoD is working out the issue of equipping not only helicopters, but also fixed wing aircraft with the new guided missiles. It is also considered as a promising weapon for UAVs. In terms of weight and dimensions, it is well suited for arming attack aircraft and UAV, like the Su-25 and ORION drones.
The KBM Design bureau is one of the Russia’s leaders in the field of guided weapon systems development. The bureau’s competence focuses on the design of tactical ballistic missile systems, active protection systems, anti-tank guided weapons and man-portable air defence systems.
Development of the 305E missile is based on the success of the KBM-design heli-borne guided weapon systems operated by the Russian Armed Forces and armies of friendly nations. The bureau’s portfolio includes:
- the SHTURM-VK guided weapon system to arm Mi-35M gunships
- the ATAKA-VN system for arming the Mi-28N helicopters
- the SHTURM-VU guided weapon system with a multi-channel laser-beam riding guidance for the Kamov family
