3M-54 Klub Russian Cruise Missile

The Russian 3M-54 Klub is a multi-role cruise missile system developed by the Novator Design Bureau(OKB-8). 

Its NATO reporting name is SS-N-27. Both submarine and surface ship launched versions exist. The system is designed to accept various warheads, allowing its use against surface and subsurface naval combatants along with static land targets. In one variant, the 3M-54E (Sizzler), the final stage makes a supersonic 'sprint' to its target, reducing the time the target's defense systems have to react. 

The 3M-54E1 subsonic missile is roughly comparable to both the American Tomahawk cruise missile and theASROC missile but is smaller and has a shorter range.

3M-54 KLUB
TYPE	Anti-ship missile Anti-submarine missile Land attack cruise missile
PLACE OF ORIGIN	Russia
SERVICE HISTORY
USED BY	See users
PRODUCTION HISTORY
MANUFACTURER	Novator Design Bureau
SPECIFICATIONS
WEIGHT	Varies on variant, from 1,300 kg-1780 kg- 2300 kg
LENGTH	Varies on variant, from 8.22 m to 6.2 m
DIAMETER	0.533 m
WARHEAD	Varies
ENGINE	Multi-stage Solid-Fuel rocket, Turbojet engine for 3M-54E/E1, -14E, Solid fuel rocket for 91RE1/2
OPERATIONAL RANGE	Varies on variant, maximum range is 300 km
FLIGHT ALTITUDE	10-15 m
SPEED	0.8-2.5-2.9 mach
GUIDANCE SYSTEM	Inertial + Active Radar Homing
LAUNCH PLATFORM	naval ships, submarines

3M-54 Klub Design

The missile is a modular system, as there exist 5 different warhead and guidance systems: two anti-shipping warheads, one land attack warhead, and two anti-submarine warheads. The missile is designed to share common components between the surface and sub-launched variants with the only difference being the design of the missile launchers and the containers. An air-launched version is believed to be in development.

'Sizzler' flight

The Sizzler variant (3M-54E) flies at subsonic speeds while going supersonic as it nears its target. It is also believed to be able to perform very high angled defensive maneuvers in contrast to the common linear flight path of other anti-ship cruise missiles.

3M-54 Klub Variants

There are two major launching vehicles: the Klub-S, designed for launch from submarines, and the Klub-N, designed for launch from surface ships. These two launchers can be equipped by the following warhead and guidance combinations:

3M-54E - Anti-shipping variant, Basic length 8.22 m, with a 200 kg warhead. Range is 220 km. Sea-skimmerwith supersonic terminal speed and flight altitude of 15 feet (4.6 m) at final stage(2.9 mach).

3M-54E1 - Anti-shipping variant, Basic length 6.2 m, with a 400 kg warhead. Range is 300 km. Sea-skimmer with subsonic terminal speed(0.8 mach). Allegedly capable of disabling or even sinking an aircraft carrier.

3M-14E - Inertial guidance land attack variant. Basic length 6.2 m, with a 400 kg warhead. Range is 275 km. Subsonic terminal speed(0.8 mach).

91RE1 - Submarine launched anti-submarine variant, with an anti-submarine torpedo. Basic length 8.0 m, with a range of 50 km. Supersonic speed. The torpedo has a warhead weight of 76 kg. For submarine use only. This, along with the 91RE2, are similar to the American ASROC/SUBROC missile/torpedo system. Follows a ballistic path into the surface, speed is 2.5 mach.

91RE2 - Ballistically launched anti-submarine variant, with an anti-submarine torpedo. Basic length 6.5 m, with a range of 40 km Supersonic speed. The torpedo has a warhead weight of 76 kg. For surface ship use only. The lightest of all variants, with a launch weight of 1300 kg. Speed is 2 mach.

3M-54 Klub Launch Platforms

The Russian Kilo class submarine is the primary launch platform for the missile, with the future Russian Lada class submarine and its variants also able to launch the missile. The Indian Talwar class frigate the current shipborne launch platform for this missile. The Akula class submarine can also launch this missile. The new Russian Admiral Sergei Gorshkov class frigates and the second flight of Steregushchy class corvettes use the same UKSK VLS as Talwar class frigates, and thus would be able to carry these missiles as well.

It is also believed by some analysts that an air launched variant will be developed to arm the Tu-142s currently in service with both the Russian and Indian Navy, and it is also anticipated that the Tu-22M3 operated by the Indian Navy will also be equipped with the missile. A truck mounted version is also planned for development by the Novator Design Bureau.

A Klub-K variant, which launches from commercial-appearing shipping container mounted on a truck, train, or merchant vessel, was advertised in 2010.