Kh-22

The Kh-22, NATO reporting name AS-4 Kitchen, is a large Soviet air-launched cruise missile developed for bomber attacks against carrier groups and major surface targets. Its scale, speed, and warhead options reflect a Cold War requirement to threaten high-value naval formations from long range.

Kh-22 was associated with aircraft such as the Tu-22 and Tu-22M family and relied on high-speed flight to reduce defensive reaction time. Variants included anti-ship and land-attack roles with different guidance approaches. The missile's large size gave it reach and destructive potential, but also required specialized launch aircraft and mission planning.

Against moving naval targets, Kh-22 effectiveness depends on surveillance, targeting updates, bomber survivability, salvo size, and the target group's defenses. The missile is best understood as part of a broader maritime strike complex rather than a simple precision weapon. Its legacy also shaped later Russian long-range anti-ship missile thinking.