The first operational use of Russia's latest Kh-47M2 Kinzhal hypersonic missile in an attack against a military depot in Ukraine's western Ivano-Frankivsk area was announced by Russia's Ministry of Defense. The Kinzhal missile system, which means "dagger" in Russian, is said to be "unstoppable" by Western defence weapons.
"A large hidden stockpile storing weapons and aviation munitions in the village of Deliatyn in the Ivano-Frankivsk region was destroyed by the Kinzhal aviation missile system with hypersonic aeroballistic missiles," Russia's defence ministry announced on Saturday.
Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed in December 2021 that Russia was the global leader in hypersonic missiles. Russia's first use of a hypersonic missile was reported in 2016 during military exercises in Syria. Russia, on the other hand, is the first country to acknowledge the use of hypersonic missiles in war. But what are they, exactly? Here's everything you need to know.
Hypersonic missiles are considered the next generation of weapons since they could travel at speeds greater than five times the speed of sound, which is approximately 760 miles (1,220 kilometres) per hour at sea level. They are supposed to be difficult to follow and intercept due to their speed, manoeuvrability, and altitude, making them practically unstoppable.
Some are capable of travelling even faster. The Russian Kh-47M2 Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missile, for example, is said to be capable of reaching Mach 10, or more than 7,600 mph. They can also travel approximately 1,250 kilometres.
Hypersonic Missiles fall under the category of invincible weaponry. They can maneuver in mid-flight to dodge anti-missile defence systems or infiltrate standard air defence systems. Naval ships, planes, and the land can all be used to launch these. The air molecules around the flight vehicle begin to alter at hypersonic speeds, breaking apart or gaining a charge in a process known as ionisation.
Hypersonic cruise missiles and hypersonic glide vehicles are the two primary types of hypersonic missiles.
Hypersonic cruise missiles, unlike more traditional ballistic missiles, are driven by an elevated jet engine instead of gravitational forces. Hypersonic glide vehicles are launched high into the atmosphere and propelled back to Earth. The glide vehicle flies through the atmosphere at a height of 40 to 100 kilometres, relying on aerodynamic forces to get to its target.
It's a nuclear-capable air-launched ballistic missile that travels at 10 times the pace of sound and therefore is capable of defeating air defence systems. Kinzhal is a word that means 'dagger.' The missile has a range of 1,500-2,000 kilometres and can hold a nuclear or conventional warhead of 480 kg.
In his state-of-the-nation address in 2018, President Putin announced a slew of new weaponry, including the Kinzhal. Kinzhal was described by Putin as "an outstanding weapon." Its design is said to be capable of destroying and defeating any current or planned US air and missile defence systems, including the MIM-104 Patriot, Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, and Aegis Combat System.
Russia has confessed using the elevated weapon in warfare for the first time. Within seconds of launch, the missile accelerates to hypersonic speed and makes manoeuvres to bypass hostile missile defences.
Following launch, the Kinzhal accelerates quickly to Mach 4 (4,900 km/h), with the potential to reach Mach 10 (12,350 km/h). It can travel at 10 times the speed of sound - 7,672 mph - and hit the target 1,250 miles away when carried by MiG-31K fighter jets. The US Tomahawk missile system is a subsonic long-range missile weapon that can travel at rates of up to 550 mph.
The Royal Navy and the French Navy have been working on their respective hypersonic missile since 2011, and it is anticipated to enter operational in 8 years. The missile, named Perseus, is believed to have a ramjet-powered airframe.
The Kinzhal can be launched from Tu-22M3 bombers or MiG-31K interceptors and can carry both nuclear and conventional warheads.
There were at least 15 formally acknowledged hypersonic weapons systems in operation or development around the world in December 2021. At the moment, only Russia's and China's are operational.
However, it is uncertain how many Russia has at disposal. In 2018, Russia debuted their hypersonic missiles.?
"I always said and can reiterate it now that major military powers of the world will certainly possess the same weaponry that Russia has now," Putin reportedly stated in December last year, referring to hypersonic weapons.
"However, no one else has invented this weapon since 2018. They'll do it eventually, but I believe we'll be able to impress our allies by demonstrating that if they have this weapon, we'll almost certainly be able to counter it."
According to Russian declarations provided in 2018, the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal entered operational service in 2017. It is a modified variant of the 9K720 Iskander, a short-range ballistic missile propelled from land, with a new guidance system built exclusively for air-to-ground missions.
The development of the 9K720 Iskander began in 1988, however difficulties caused by the dissolution of the Soviet Union delayed the first comprehensive flight test until 1998. Between 1998 and 2005, 13 missile test launches were performed at Russia's Kasputin Yar testing area, with the weapon entering operational service the following year, in 2006.
According to reports, 10 MiG-31Ks equipped of launching Kinzhal missiles were on trial combat duty and ready for deployment in May 2018. By the end of December 2018, Kinzhal-equipped aircraft had flown 89 flights over the Caspian and Black Seas. By February 2019, MiG-31K Kinzhal missile carrier crews had flown over 380 training flights with the missile.
The weapon, according to reports, made its first public appearance in August 2019 during the Aviadarts international competition.?
Russia has employed a variety of weaponry against Ukraine during the ongoing war, while apparently deploying the Kinzhal for the first time. Thermobaric launchers, sometimes known as vacuum bombs, are one of the most deadly weapons ever created, with blast waves capable of annihilating anything in their path.
Its army has used a variety of aircraft capable of shooting guided air-to-ground missiles or dropping bombs in its attacks.
According to reports, cluster bombs, which open up during flight to discharge hundreds of smaller explosives, have been accused of being deployed by Russian forces.
Putin has not stated if he intends to deploy his nuclear arsenal, but it is estimated that he has 6,200 warheads at his disposal.
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