Kinzhal (Kh-47M2)
Type: Hypersonic 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.
Technical Specifications
| guidance | Inertial + satellite navigation, terminal active seeker |
|---|---|
| length_m | 8 |
| range_km | 2000 |
| weight_kg | 480 |
| diameter_m | 1 |
| warhead_kg | 480 |
| max_speed_mach | 10 |
| launch_platform | MiG-31K, Su-34, Tu-22M3 |
| maneuverability | High-G maneuvering throughout flight |
| launch_altitude_m | 18000 |
Operators
- Russia
Related air Weapon Systems
- JF-17 Thunder - Multirole Fighter (Pakistan)
- F-16 Viper Block 70/72 - Multirole Fighter (United States)
- Skydagger RTF 7" - FPV Drone (Türkiye)
- EDGE Reach-S MALE UCAV - Combat UAV (UCAV) (UAE)
- F-15IDN - Multirole Fighter (United States)
- Cessna 208B Grand Caravan ISR - Reconnaissance Aircraft (United States)
- MQ-9B SeaGuardian - Combat UAV (UCAV) (United States)
- AS332 Super Puma - Attack Helicopter (France)
- Toufan / Saba / Shahed-285 Helicopter Family - Attack Helicopter (Iran)
- J-20B Mighty Dragon - Multirole Fighter (China)