Результати застосування методу скануючої електронної мікроскопії при дослідженні металевих фрагментів гіперзвукових аеробалістичних ракет Х-47М2 «Кинжал»

Abstract

This paper presents the results of applying scanning electron microscopy and X-ray microanalysis to the study of metallic fragments of the Х-47M2 “Kinzhal” (9-A-7660) hypersonic aeroballistic missile. The relevance of the study is determined by the need to establish a reliable information base on the materials used in modern air attack weapons for the purposes of technical identification, reconstruction of design and technological solutions, and development of approaches to detection and counteraction. According to the analyzed technical materials, the Х-47M2 “Kinzhal” missile is considered a deeply modernized version of the 9M723F missile of the Iskander-M system, which explains the continuity of a number of structural and material engineering solutions.

The study covered several structural fragments of the missile, including a body fragment, a tail section fragment, an internal structural fragment, a load-bearing structural fragment, an aerodynamic control surface fragment, and a body plug. The obtained elemental composition data made it possible to identify the probable material types used in these components. It was established that the missile body fragment is made of an aluminum-magnesium alloy of the AMg6 type, which is characterized by low density, sufficient strength, and corrosion resistance. The tail section fragment corresponds in composition to low-alloy heat-resistant steel of the 18Х3МВ type. The internal and load-bearing structural fragments were identified as being most likely made of high-alloy heat-resistant steel of the 12Х25Н16Г7АР type. The aerodynamic control surface fragment was found to correspond to a nickel-based heat-resistant alloy of the ХН56ВМТЮ type, while the body plug material was identified as a heat-resistant corrosion-resistant steel of the 08Х16Н13М2Б type.

The results demonstrate that the material structure of the Kh-47M2 “Kinzhal” missile is functionally differentiated. Lightweight aluminum alloys are used in elements where low weight is the determining factor, whereas heat-resistant steels and nickel alloys are employed in structurally loaded and thermally stressed components. Such a combination of materials is consistent with the general principles of designing special-purpose aerospace structures, in which the selection of materials is governed by the balance between strength, heat resistance, corrosion resistance, manufacturability, and weight efficiency.

The obtained results may be used to develop databases for identifying missile fragments, to support forensic and technical examination of weapon remnants, and to improve understanding of the structural and technological features of modern hypersonic and aeroballistic missile systems. They also confirm the effectiveness of scanning electron microscopy as a tool for material identification of missile components under conditions where direct access to design documentation is unavailable.