About the Kinzhal Missile:
- The Kh-47M2, nicknamed "Kinzhal" (Dagger), is a nuclear-capable, Russian air-launched hypersonic ballistic missile.
- It was one of six “next generation” weapons unveiled by Russian President Vladimir Putin during a speech in March 2018.
- Features:
- The Kinzhal can reach speeds of up to Mach 10 (12,350 km/hr).
- It can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads with a payload of up to 480 kg and a thermonuclear option with a 10-50 kt warhead.
- It has a reported range of 1,500-2,000 km.
- The Kinzhal has a length of 8 m, a body diameter of 1 m, and a launch weight of approximately 4,300 kg.
- It is designed to be launched from MiG-31 fighter jets at altitudes of about 18 km (59,000 ft).
- This missile manoeuvres during all stages of its flight to overcome hostile air defence systems.
What are Hypersonic Missiles?
- A hypersonic missile is a weapon system that flies at least at the speed of Mach 5e. five times the speed of sound and is manoeuvrable.
- These missiles are extremely fast and far harder for surface-to-air missile defence systems to target.
