Kinzhal (Kh-47M2)
Type: Air-Launched Hypersonic Ballistic Missile
Domain: air
Country of Origin: Russia
Manufacturer: Mikoyan (MiG)
First Deployed: 2018
Overview
The Kh-47M2 Kinzhal is an air-launched aeroballistic hypersonic missile carried by the MiG-31K Foxhound interceptor (and reportedly Tu-22M3). Derived from the ground-launched 9M723 Iskander-M ballistic missile, it achieves Mach 10+ in terminal phase after being released from altitude by the carrier aircraft, extending effective range to 2,000 km. It performs evasive manoeuvres during descent to complicate ATBM intercept. Russia has used Kinzhal in Ukraine since March 2022 for high-value infrastructure attacks. Ukrainian Patriot PAC-3 MSE batteries have achieved confirmed intercepts, partially puncturing Russian propaganda about invulnerability.
Operators
- Russia
Related air Weapon Systems
- IAI Harpy - Anti-Radiation Loitering Munition (Israel)
- KC-46 Pegasus - Aerial Refueling Tanker (United States)
- EF-18M Hornet - Multirole Fighter (Spain)
- KUH-1 Surion - Medium Utility Helicopter (South Korea)
- CH-47F Chinook - helicopter (Germany)
- AH-64 Apache - Attack Helicopter (United States)
- AMX A-1M - strike (Brazil)
- APKWS - Air Defense Missile (United States)
- Kh-31P - Air-Launched Cruise Missile (Russia)
- A400M Atlas - Strategic/Tactical Transport Aircraft (Germany / France / Spain)