Zvezda Kh-25MP / Kh-27PS (AS-12 Kegler)

One of the most important tasks of a tactical air-to-ground missile is breaking through the enemy air defense system by destroying its radar stations. No wonder then that in 1972, immediately after completing both Kh-23 and Kh-25 missiles, the "Zvezda" OKB began working on the Kh-27PS (Article 72) missile of the same family with a passive-radar head. An antiradar missile must have a long range so as to be able to reach radar stations from beyond the range of the air defense artillery. The Kh-27PS was therefore equipped with a two-range engine so its range could be extended to 60 km by reducing its speed during the initial flight stage.

The passive-radar head of this missile was equipped with two antennas tuned to the radar frequencies of two most popular Western air defense systems: Hawk and Nike Hercules respectively. The missile was also equipped with an autopilot enabling it to perform the "hump" maneuver during the final flight stage so as to hit the target at a 20-30[DEG] angle and thus improve the effectiveness of warhead. The Kh-27PS missile worked with the airborne "Vyyuga" [Snowstorm] set programming the warhead prior to the launch. The missile was arming Su-17 and MiG-27 aircraft. Government Qualification tests on an MiG-27 aircraft were conducted during the 1975-77 period.