FATTAH - HYPERSONIC MISSILE – DEFENCE
News: Iran unveils what it calls a hypersonic missile able to beat air
defenses amid tensions with U.S.
What is in the news?
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Recently, Iran claimed
that it had created a hypersonic missile
capable of traveling at 15 times the speed of sound.
Key details about the missile:
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The name of the missile
is called Fattah, or “Conqueror”.
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It had a range of up to 1,400 kilometers (870 miles).
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The report also claimed
the missile could pass through any
regional missile defense system, though it offered no evidence to support
the claim.
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Hypersonic weapons, which fly at speeds in excess of Mach 5, or
five times the speed of sound, could pose crucial challenges to missile
defense systems because of their speed and maneuverability.
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The maneuverability of
the hypersonic missile is what sets it apart from a ballistic missile as the
latter follows a set course or a ballistic trajectory.
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It has high
maneuverability while it is flying.
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Types:
○ Hypersonic Glide Vehicles
○ Hypersonic Cruise
Missiles.
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India
is also developing an indigenous, dual capable (conventional as well as
nuclear) hypersonic cruise missile as part of its Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle Programme.