Hermes (missile)

Development of the Hermes by the KBP Instrument Design Bureau started in the 1990s. The missile bears a striking resemblance to the 57E6 used by the Pantsir missile system, and it is probably a derivative of this model. The Hermes-A variant was trialed in 2003. The series production of the Hermes was meant to start in 2011-2012, but this did not happen, as the development process was stopped for several years.[2] In 2016, it was announced that the Hermes missile would be tested in live conditions in Syria.[3] However, nothing indicates that this actually happened. But in the late 2010s, a series of announcements signaled a renewed interest in the missile, following experience from the Russian military intervention in the Syrian civil war showing the need for more high-precision armaments.[2]

The Hermes system features a multistage rocket missile with a high-powered booster. Two booster diameters are available, 170 and 210 mm. It has fire-and-forget capability, and uses inertial and/or radio-command guidance for the cruise phase, and semi-active laser guidance for the terminal phase. Radar and infrared homing are also talked about. The Hermes is designed to engage a great variety of targets, including armoured vehicles, fortifications of various types, small naval surface targets, artillery positions, slow-flying air targets, and others.[2] It can be fired single or in volleys at ranges of up to 100 km and can track and destroy over-the-horizon targets.[4]

• Warhead: 27.5 kg[2]
• Explosive: 13 kg[2]
• Guidance: Inertial and/or radio-command guidance (cruise phase), semi-active laser homing (terminal). Possible infrared and radar homing[2]

• Hermes-A: Air-launched version.[5][6] To be used by the Kamov Ka-52 (up to 16 launchers) and possibly the Sukhoi Su-25. Range between 15 and 20 km.[2]
• Hermes-K: Naval version.[7] Two types of supports are available: a simpler support with four launchers for lighter naval units, and a modified version of the AK-306 CIWS with four launchers for heavier vessels. The Hermes-K's range can be increased up to 100 km with the use of the 210 mm booster.[2]
• Hermes-S: Land vehicle version.[8][9] Uses a Kamaz truck chassis, transporting up to 24 missiles. Versions with and without a guidance system for the missiles have been shown in designer drawings. Moreover, a fire-control vehicle with a mast-mounted radar or opto-electronic detection system has also been shown. A coastal defence version is also possible. The Hermes-S's range can be increased to 100 km with the use of the 210 mm booster.[2]

• Nimrod
• Sosna-R
• Pantsir missile system
• Pantsir-M