UraganM

UraganM is a modernized Russian guided missile system developed for use by both aircraft and naval platforms. The designation "Uragan" derives from the Russian word for “hurricane,” reflecting the missile’s intended destructive capability. The “M” suffix indicates a major upgrade from the original Uragan series, incorporating advanced guidance, propulsion, and payload technologies.

Development of the UraganM began in the late 1990s under the auspices of the Russian arms industry, with the goal of extending the operational range and improving the missile’s resistance to electronic counter‑measures. The upgraded version entered service in the early 2000s, replacing earlier models in several Russian air force regiments and naval units. It is launched from integrated launch systems aboard combat aircraft such as the Sukhoi Su‑27 and maritime patrol platforms, as well as from surface vessels equipped with vertical launch capabilities.

Key technical features of the UraganM include a solid‑fuel rocket motor that provides a range of up to 200 kilometers, a dual‑mode guidance system combining inertial navigation with satellite augmentation and terminal radar homing, and a modular payload architecture that allows different warheads, including high‑explosive and guided cluster munitions, to be fitted. The missile’s aerodynamic design achieves low radar cross‑section, improving survivability against modern air defenses.

Operational history shows that the UraganM has been employed in training exercises and confirmed for deployment in conflict zones, where it has proven effective against a variety of air and ground targets. The system remains one of Russia’s primary precision strike weapons, with ongoing upgrades planned to further enhance its range, accuracy, and counter‑measure resistance.