Kh-47M2 Kinzhal


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The Kh-47M2 Kinzhal is a nuclear-capable, Russian air-launched ballistic missile, likely derived from Russia’s ground-launched 9K720 Iskander-M. It was one of six “next generation” weapons unveiled by President Putin during a speech in March 2018.1

Kh-47M2 Kinzhal at a Glance

Originated from
Russia
Possessed by
Russia
Alternative name
KH-47M2 Kinzhal (trans: “Dagger”)
Class
Air-launched Ballistic Missile (ALBM)
Basing
Modified MiG-31 fighter
Length
8.0 m
Diameter
1.0 m
Payload
480 kg
Warhead
Nuclear or conventional
Range
1,500-2,000 km
Status
Operational
In service
2017-present

Kinzhal Development

Although it is unclear when Kinzhal’s development began, concept schemes of Russian Iskander missiles installed on the MiG-31 fighter began circulating online around 2010. These pictures were reportedly copied from a brochure-prospectus of a Russian defense corporation.2

Based on these concept schemes, as well as the missile’s capabilities and general appearance, analysts say it is likely derived from the ground-launched 9K720 Iskander-M short-range ballistic missile.3 The benefits of creating an air-launch variant include greater range, deployability, and flexibility over ground-based Iskander missiles.4 Additionally, the animated Kinzhal in Putin’s March 1 speech was shown targeting naval vessels, so it may also have (or plan to develop) antiship capabilities.5

Russia likely developed the unique missile to more easily target critical European infrastructure (e.g. airfields, warehouses, command centers, etc.) and to counter U.S. theater missile defenses such as THAAD.6 An aircraft’s ability to launch from unpredictable directions would strain sectored (non-360 degree) radars, such as those currently deployed with the Patriot system. Additionally, if the Kinzhal does indeed have antiship capabilities, it may also pose a threat to U.S. and NATO aircraft carriers.

Specifications

The Kinzhal has a reported range of 1,500-2,000 km while carrying a nuclear or conventional payload of 480 kg. A July 2018 TASS news report suggested the missile’s range would exceed 3,000 km if outfitted on the Tupolev Tu-22M3 bomber.7 It has similar dimensions as the OTK 9M723 Iskander-M; according to one report, the Kinzhal has a length of 8 m, a body diameter of 1 m, and a launch weight of approximately 4,300 kg.8 There are key distinct features from the ground-based Iskander, however, including a redesigned tail section, reduced rudders, and a special stub at the missile’s tail designed to protect engine nozzles during high-speed fight.9

Following the launch, the Kinzhal rapidly accelerates to Mach 4 (4,900 km/h), and may reach speeds of up to Mach 10 (12,350 km/hr). This speed, in combination with the missile’s erratic flight trajectory and high maneuverability, could complicate interception.10 It is worth noting that Russia’s designation of the Kinzhal as a “hypersonic” missile is somewhat misleading, as nearly all ballistic missiles reach hypersonic speeds (i.e. above Mach 5) at some point during their flight.

Service History

The missile reportedly entered a trial period at airfields in southern Russia in December 2017.11 On March 11, Russian media released footage of a reported Kinzhal test fire, which showed the missile equipped to a modified MiG-31 fighter.12 The video does not show the resulting strike, but Russia’s Ministry of Defense announced a success: “The launch was normal; the hypersonic missile hit the preset target on the test site.”13 Russian reports indicate that the missile has entered service, and reports in 2018 indicated that six MiG-31s have been modified to carry the missiles and are based in Akhtubinsk in southwest Russia, about 150 km east of Volgograd.14

On March 19, 2022, the Russian Ministry of Defense claimed it had fired a Kinzhal missile at a munitions depot around the town of Deliatyn in southwestern Ukraine. This marks the first known use of the weapon in combat.15 The United States was able to track the missile “in real-time” during its flight, according to CNN citing U.S. government officials.16

Footnotes

    1. Tony Wesolowsky, “’Listen To Us Now’: Putin Unveils Weapons, Vows To Raise Living Standards In Fiery Annual Address,” Radio Free Europe, March 1, 2018, https://www.rferl.org/a/putin-set-give-annual-address-amid-presidential-election-campaign/29069948.html.
    2. Alexey Ramm, “The dagger of Iskander,” iz.ru, March 2, 2018, https://iz.ru/715127/aleksei-ramm/kinzhalnyi-udar-iskandera.
    3. Kyle Mizokami, “Russia Shows Off Its Latest Hypersonic Missile,” Popular Mechanics, March 12, 2018, https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a19410091/russia-shows-off-its-latest-hypersonic-missile/; Tyler Rogoway, “Putin’s Air-Launched Hypersonic Weapon Appears To Be A Modified Iskander Ballistic Missile,” The Drive, March 2, 2018, http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/18943/putins-air-launched-hypersonic-weapon-appears-to-be-a-modified-iskander-ballistic-missile.
    4. Rogoway, “Putin’s Air-Launched Hypersonic Weapon Appears To Be A Modified Iskander Ballistic Missile.”
    5. Russia Insight, “BREAKING: Putin Reveals Hypersonic, High-Precision-Guided “Kinzhal” (Dagger) Air-Missile System,” YouTube, March 2, 2018, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG1Z7SpGN_A.
    6. As Kyle Mizokami writes, “THAAD cannot engage aircraft, so a MiG could fly close to the target and then launch the high-velocity missile, giving shorter-range defenses such as Patriot PAC-2 and PAC-3 minimal time to react and intercept.” See Mizokami, “Russia Shows Off Its Latest Hypersonic Missile.”
    7. “Russian strategic bomber to extend Kinzhal hypersonic missile’s range — source,” TASS News Agency, July 18, 2018, http://tass.com/defense/1013794.
    8. Vladimir Karnozov, “Putin Unveils Kinzhal Hypersonic Missile,” AIN Online, March 2, 2018, https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2018-03-02/putin-unveils-kinzhal-hypersonic-missile.
    9. Ramm, “The dagger of Iskander.”
    10. Dave Majumdar, “Russia Just Fired a Hypersonic Missile from a MiG-31 Fighter. Should America be Worried?” The National Interest, March 12, 2018, http://www.nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/russia-just-fired-hypersonic-missile-mig-31-fighter-should-24871.
    11. Matt Stroud, “Inside the race for hypersonic weapons,” The Verge, March 6, 2018, https://www.theverge.com/2018/3/6/17081590/hypersonic-missiles-long-range-arms-race-putin-speech.
    12. Radio Sputnik, “Launch of the Hypersonic Aviation and Missile System Dubbed Kinzhal,” March 11, 2018, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GorrpZnEXME.
    13. TASS News Agency, “Russian Aerospace Forces test launch Kinzhal hypersonic missile,” March 11, 2018, http://tass.com/defense/993439.
    14. Tom Demerly, ”Russia Test Fires New Kh-47M2 Kinzhal Hypersonic Missile,” The Aviationist, March 12, 2018, https://theaviationist.com/2018/03/12/russia-test-fires-new-kh-47m2-kinzhal-hypersonic-missile/.
    15. Paul Kirby, “Russia claims first use of hypersonic Kinzhal missile in Ukraine” BBC News, March 19, 2022, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60806151.
    16. Jim Sciutto, Twitter Post, March 19, 2022, https://twitter.com/jimsciutto/status/1505200842785316866?s=20&t=dEb78QethQ3LIBJ107iZsA.
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Missile Defense Project, "Kh-47M2 Kinzhal," Missile Threat, Center for Strategic and International Studies, March 27, 2018, last modified March 19, 2022, https://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/kinzhal/.