KS-1 Komet

📜 Design Philosophy

Development commenced in 1947, concurrently with a related ground-launched variant, the SSC-2B "Samlet" (S-2 Sopka). Both missiles utilized aerodynamic principles derived from the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 fighter aircraft, essentially a scaled-down, un-manned version. This approach leveraged existing aerodynamic knowledge and manufacturing capabilities.

💡 Propulsion and Guidance

The KS-1 was propelled by a Klimov RD-500K turbojet engine, a Soviet reverse-engineering of the British Rolls-Royce Derwent. Its guidance system comprised an inertial navigation system (INS) for mid-course correction, transitioning to active radar homing for terminal guidance, enabling it to track and engage moving targets.

💥 Armament

The missile was equipped with a substantial 600 kg (1,300 lb) high-explosive warhead, designed for significant impact against naval vessels. Its operational range extended up to 100 kilometers, providing a crucial standoff capability for its carrier aircraft.

⚓ S-2 Sopka (SSC-2b Samlet)

The Sopka was a coastal defense variant, identified by NATO as SSC-2b "Samlet." It utilized a SPRD-15 jet-assisted rocket for initial launch velocity from fixed ground launchers, allowing the KS-1's turbojet to take over. This system was deployed for land-based attacks on maritime targets and saw service in Eastern Bloc nations, including a notable deployment in Cuba during the Cold War and use by Egypt in the Yom Kippur War. It remained in service until approximately 1980.

🚗 FKR-1 (SSC-2a Salish)

Designated FKR-1 (Frontline Combat Rocket) and codenamed "Salish" by NATO (SSC-2a), this was a mobile, nuclear-capable variant. It entered service in 1957 with Soviet and East German forces. Featuring a 12-kiloton warhead and an extended range of up to 180 km, it was modified to accept tactical nuclear warheads. The FKR system was positioned in Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis, equipped with nuclear warheads, highlighting its strategic significance.

✈️ Associated Aircraft

The KS-1 Komet was primarily associated with specific Soviet strategic bombers:

• Tupolev Tu-16 'Badger': A twin-engine jet-powered strategic bomber that served as a primary carrier for the KS-1.
• Tupolev Tu-4: An earlier Soviet bomber, a reverse-engineered Boeing B-29 Superfortress, which also served as a launch platform for a variant of the KS-1.

🪖 Missile Designations & Families

The KS-1 Komet is part of a broader lineage of Soviet missile development:

• NATO Reporting Names: AS-1 Kennel, SSC-2a Salish, SSC-2b Samlet.
• Related Systems: The design principles influenced or were shared with other Soviet missiles, including the KSR-2 (AS-5 Kelt) and KSR-5 (AS-6 Kingfish), which offered improved performance and capabilities.

📜 References