Russia claims to have used a hypersonic missile to put down an underground Ukrainian entrepot during the on-going invasion of Ukraine , tick the first time Russia has announced the use of these weapons .
Hypersonic missiles are of extremely gamy fear to military leadership across the orb due to their incredible fastness , make them almost impossible to track and defend against .
The announcement was made on Saturday , March 19 , in which the Russian news agency Interfax released astatementover the employment of their Kinzhal ( translates to " Dagger " ) projectile system , a hypersonic projectile that was used in data-based form since 2017 but was yet to be formally used in combat .
A video was put up on the Russian Ministry of Defence ’s Twitter supposedly showing the demolition of the Ukrainian depot by a " high - precision missile tap " , likely the same strike that used the Kinzhal missiles .
However , it has not been independently avow whether the hypersonic claim are genuine .
A hypersonic projectile is any missile that journey at over Mach 5 – or five time the speed of sound .
The Kh-47M2 Kinzhal is a Russian - made system thatclaims a rangeof 1,860 miles ( 3,000 kilometre ) and travels at speeds of up toMach 10(7,700 mph ; 12,300 km / h ) .
create such a speedy weapon system poses a singular challenge to engine driver , as these focal ratio give an intense amount of heat , and change in airflow make manoeuvrability extremely low-down . As a outcome , while hypersonic missiles are basically immune to modern defence , they have often been view as too expensive to operate in military field of operations .
The missiles are bear by either a Tu-22M3 bomber or a MiG-31 K interceptor before being launch at a ground fair game . While in escape , the missile can make evasive maneuvers to obviate air defenses .
Packed inside the missile is a 500 kilogram ( 1,100 Ezra Loomis Pound ) warhead that can either contain high-pitched - explosive fragmentation or atomic payloads , which can riddle deeper than conventional missiles due to the high-pitched speed .
According to Russia , the Kinzhal missile was designed as a response to NATO warships and to point and destroy strategical projectile defense system , likely allow for the use of more formal and less expensive missile after the defenses are neutralized . As with much of Russia ’s equipment , it is unclear whether the claims are true , but the Kinzhal can supposedly circumvent all current and planned NATO atmosphere defense systems .
Both the US and China are also acquire hypersonic missiles , though both remain in data-based phases .
Currently in development are two variations of the hypersonic missile : the hypersonic cruise missile , which use a jet locomotive engine to power it towards the target ; and hypersonic gliding missiles , which are launched into space and then re - accede the air , using a soaring vehicle that utilizes its own shockwaves to power it above Mach 5 . The US claims to field itshypersonic glide missilein 2023 .
