The other, unrelated SS-N-22 was the
Raduga P-270 Moskit. It was
ramjet-propelled (though launched by a small solid-fuel rocket), and was carried by later-model
Sovremenny class destroyers,
Tarantul class corvettes, and several smaller warships. This weapon has a top speed of Mach 3. The high speed of the missile means a typical response time for the target of only 25 to 30 seconds, giving a target little time to react. Moskit can be armed with a warhead of 320 kg. Another version of this weapon is called the ASM-MMS or Kh-41; it is intended to be launched by a
Su-33. The
People's Republic of China acquired SS-N-22 launchers and missiles (specifically, the for-export 3M-80E Moskit variant) with a 1999–2000 purchase of two
Sovremenny destroyers from Russia.According to Russia, the PRC funded the development of the SS-N-22 version for the
People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). It has the designation 3M-80MBE, and this version differs from earlier versions mainly in having increased range (now beyond 220 km; 240 km has been quoted). These new missiles will be first installed on board the second pair of
Sovremenny class destroyers. A total of 500 SS-N-22 AShM were ordered by the PRC for the four Russian-built
Sovremenny class destroyers. With the exception of the first 20, these are the 3M-80MBE variant. The PRC has stockpiled roughly 15 SS-N-22 missiles per launch tube (each destroyer having a total of 8 launchers in two quadruple configurations). It is speculated that the PLAN intends to use the missiles against
carrier battle groups deployed by the
United States Navy in the event of a confrontation with the
Republic of China (
Taiwan). Six SS-N-22 launchers were also present on the Soviet
ekranoplan Lun. == Operators ==