S-71K Kovyor missile
Why in News?
The S-71K Kovyor missile is in the news because Russia publicly debuted this new stealthy, air-launched cruise missile at the El Alamein International Airshow in Egypt held from 8–10 September 2026.
Design & Airframe
- Unmanned Aircraft Profile: The missile features a broad, flattened, aircraft-like shape with faceted surfaces instead of a traditional cylindrical cruise missile body to lower its radar signature.
- Asymmetric Build: It is built with a trapezoidal nose, thick folding wings, a chin-mounted optical window, and a refined inverted-V tail.
- Composite Construction: The body utilizes multi-layer fiberglass and composite materials to keep production costs low and make it lightweight.
Guidance & Strategy
- Advanced Processing: The "K" (Kovyor) variant is the more premium model in the S-71 family, equipped with electro-optical guidance and higher onboard processing power compared to its simpler sister variant, the S-71M Monokhrom.
- Stand-Off Strike Power: With an estimated operational range of 300 to 350 km, it allows Russian jets to strike targets from safe, friendly airspace out of the reach of local air defence systems.
- Radar Evasion Flight Paths: The missile can cruise at high altitudes (around 8,200 meters) before dropping to low-level profiles of just 20–75 meters over land to escape continuous radar tracking.
Warhead & Capabilities
- Code Name Meaning: "Kovyor" translates to "Carpet" in Russian, referencing its tactical intent for overwhelming force.
- Destructive Payload: It is built to house a 250-kilogram high-explosive fragmentation warhead integrated into its nose structure.
- Aviation Integration: It was purpose-built to complement Russia's fifth-generation Su-57 stealth fighter, though it can be adapted for external carriage on other aircraft.
