ASM-16 Cetán
| ASM-16 Cetán | |
|---|---|
 3D render of the ASM-16 | |
| Type | Anti-Ship Missile (AShM) |
| Place of origin |  Inyursta |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2016-present |
| Used by | Inyurstan Air Force |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Navayelle Systems |
| Designed | 2012 |
| Manufacturer | Navayelle Systems |
| Produced | 2016-present |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 5,480kg |
| Length | 11.2m |
| Diameter | 78cm |
Detonation mechanism | Impact |
| Blast yield | 640kg Multiple-EFP Warhead |
| Engine | Liquid Fuel Rocket |
| Wingspan | 1.62m |
Operational range | 720km |
| Flight ceiling | 35km |
| Speed | Mach 4.7 |
Guidance system | GPS/SACTOSAT with terminal active radar homing |
| Accuracy | ~50m CEP |
The ASM-16 Cetán, previously known as the ASM-1M3X, is a long-range anti-ship missile in service with the Inyurstan Air Force. Along with the SS-9D Yacún-Borão, it is one of two high-altitude, high-speed missiles dubbed "carrier-killers" in the Inyurstan arsenal.
It is named for the Cetán, a gruesome heavyweight sea monster of Inyurstan lore.
Development
In 2012, Navayelle Systems Inc. was contracted to revive the earlier ASM-1 project. With a renewed understanding of high-supersonic flight dynamics and improved rocket engineering capabilities, the ASM-16 program was successful and entered service with a speed significantly higher and range almost twice that of its forefather.
Weighing on the decision to revive the idea of a high-altitude, high-speed, high-impact anti-ship missile was the fact of subsequent upgrades and improvements on the BM-44A2 Pythón supersonic bomber and fighter-screen capabilities which increased the survivability of a high-altitude attack on an enemy carrier group.
Capabilities
An increased service ceiling allows the missile to complicate (if not outright bypass) the interception by most air-defense systems until it's terminal descent at Mach 4.7. Pseudo-random maneuvering until it's terminal phase also mitigate the use of high-altitude anti-ballistic missile defenses against the Cetán.
As a "carrier-killer", the 640kg warhead is designed to explode just above the surface, sending a "shotgun-like" blast multiple large-diameter EFP metal jet streams expanding outward into the ship below decks. While the warhead could ideally sink even a super-carrier in a single hit, the effect of such a blast is likely to destroy vital systems, hit planes below decks, cause secondary internal fires and paralyze operations in the off-chance the target ship somehow survives.
Speed, RCS returns and flight pattern can be successfully mimicked by the DU-109 target drone.
Derivatives
ASM-16A1: An anti-runway missile with the 640kg EFP warhead removed and replaced with the 89M4 anti-runway warhead, consisting of a 275kg multi-stage penetrator plus four additional 90kg penetrator submunitions. The 89M4 warhead is also used on the ASM-18 Véda Air-Launched SRBM, while the 90kg submunitions are the same used on the CBG-4S "Seíèsma" anti-runway/anti-highway bomb. Widespread unearthing and upending of concrete/asphalt slabs is preferred due to the longer time it takes to repair, and the existing EFP warhead was considered largely useless in this role as airfields lack the below-decks systems to mangle as does a carrier.