News of the interception of a Russian hypersonic Kinzhal missile over Kiev on May 4, 2023 by the Patriot missile system have planted hope among officials in the West, since hypersonic missiles are considered a strategic threat to targets. This is because of the difficulty of intercepting them, due to their enormous speed, around 6000-7000 km/h; the difficulty in detection and tracking them due to their high maneuverability during hypersonic flights at low altitude; and a very short warning time.
In the case of the Ukrainian interception, a hypersonic glide missile (HGV) was launched from a MiG-31 aircraft toward targets in Kiev, and the interception was confirmed by senior US officials who examined the fragments of the intercepted missile.
The batteries of the Patriot missiles, which were supplied to Ukraine by the United States together with Germany and the Netherlands, provide an excellent response against aircraft, but not against hypersonic missiles, so that the interception itself evoked mixed reactions – initially there was skepticism, and then, with the confirmation of the news, there was much hope.
Does the first interception of the hypersonic missile change the balance of power between the superpowers? Was there a technical failure in the Kinzhal missile? Does the Kinzhal missile not have all the features of a hypersonic weapon, as NATO experts believe?
In the absence of statistics on successful interceptions, it is difficult to draw an unequivocal conclusion from a single interception. It is also important to remember that when the hypersonic missile glides toward the target, its speed slows down due to the atmospheric friction that also heats the missile's body and increases its thermal signature, and as a result, its detectability.
Finally, with reference to our region, the advanced systems Israel has, combined with the correct deployment architecture of detectors, makes it possible to deal with maneuvering targets. Another possible solution is the use of a high-powered laser in a continental or airborne configuration, capable of dealing with hypersonic speeds and attacking and intercepting targets in seconds, or less.
News of the interception of a Russian hypersonic Kinzhal missile over Kiev on May 4, 2023 by the Patriot missile system have planted hope among officials in the West, since hypersonic missiles are considered a strategic threat to targets. This is because of the difficulty of intercepting them, due to their enormous speed, around 6000-7000 km/h; the difficulty in detection and tracking them due to their high maneuverability during hypersonic flights at low altitude; and a very short warning time.
In the case of the Ukrainian interception, a hypersonic glide missile (HGV) was launched from a MiG-31 aircraft toward targets in Kiev, and the interception was confirmed by senior US officials who examined the fragments of the intercepted missile.
The batteries of the Patriot missiles, which were supplied to Ukraine by the United States together with Germany and the Netherlands, provide an excellent response against aircraft, but not against hypersonic missiles, so that the interception itself evoked mixed reactions – initially there was skepticism, and then, with the confirmation of the news, there was much hope.
Does the first interception of the hypersonic missile change the balance of power between the superpowers? Was there a technical failure in the Kinzhal missile? Does the Kinzhal missile not have all the features of a hypersonic weapon, as NATO experts believe?
In the absence of statistics on successful interceptions, it is difficult to draw an unequivocal conclusion from a single interception. It is also important to remember that when the hypersonic missile glides toward the target, its speed slows down due to the atmospheric friction that also heats the missile's body and increases its thermal signature, and as a result, its detectability.
Finally, with reference to our region, the advanced systems Israel has, combined with the correct deployment architecture of detectors, makes it possible to deal with maneuvering targets. Another possible solution is the use of a high-powered laser in a continental or airborne configuration, capable of dealing with hypersonic speeds and attacking and intercepting targets in seconds, or less.