Kh-31 (AS-17 'Krypton')

It is a sea skimming cruise missile with a range of 110 kilometres (60 nmi; 70 mi) or more and capable of Mach 3.5, and was the first supersonic anti-ship missile that could be launched by tactical aircraft.
In many respects the Kh-31 is a miniaturised version of the P-270 Moskit (SS-N-22 'Sunburn') and was reportedly designed by the same man. The missile is conventionally shaped, with cruciform wings and control surfaces made from titanium. The two-stage propulsion is notable. On launch, a solid-fuel booster in the tail accelerates the missile to Mach 1.8 and the motor is discarded. Then four air intakes open up and as in the Franco-German ANS/ANF the empty rocket case becomes the combustion chamber of a kerosene-fuelled ramjet, which takes it beyond Mach 4.

Variants: KH31 P/A/L

Deployed: India

Type: Medium-range air-to-surface missile

Designer: Zvezda-Strela MKB, later Tactical Missiles Corporation

Range: 50 km sea skimming, 110 high alt

Engine: Solid fuel rocket in initial stage, ramjet for rest of trajectory

Platform: SU 30 MKI, Mig 29UPG, Mig 29K, Mig 27(KH31A),J11, SU27, SU30MKK, Mig 21 bison, Tu-142, LCA Tejas