Patriot intercepts Kinzhal hypersonic missiles (1) infographic
Graphic shows details of Kinzhal hypersonic missile and how Patriot would need to intercept it.
GN44295EN

UKRAINE

Patriot intercepts Kinzhal hypersonic missiles

By Phil Bainbridge

May 17, 2023 - Russia has hit, though likely not destroyed, a Patriot battery after
Ukraine claimed to have used the U.S.-made missile defence system
to shoot down six Kinzhal hypersonic missiles.

Hypersonic missiles travel at up to ten times the speed of sound, and are designed to evade missile defence systems, partly through their speed, low trajectory, and manoeuvrability, and also due to the formation of a plasma cloud in front of the missile which interferes with radar waves.

Russia claims it is impossible for a Patriot system to intercept a Kinzhal travelling at hypersonic speeds.The optimum point at which to intercept a Kinzhal would be shortly after launch, before it has attained hypersonic speed or begun evasive manoeuvres. The range of the Patriot radar is only 150km, well below the Kinzhal maximum launch range of 2,000km.

Sources
PUBLISHED: 17/05/2023; STORY: Graphic News; PICTURES: YouTube
Advertisement