The potential hazard posed by Iran's Fatah 2 supersonic missile system: an assessment.
In recent attacks, Iran is reportedly using the new hypersonic rocket "Fattah 2." If the supposed claims are correct, this could be the fastest rocket known, according to expert Joachim Weber. This could present problems for Israel's Iron Dome.
Technicalities of "Fattah 2"
- Speed and maneuverability: The "Fattah 2" claims speeds of Mach 13-15 (roughly 15,000-16,000 km/h), making it a challenge for traditional missile defense systems to catch it.
- Range and payload: It is believed to have a range of up to 1,400 km and can carry a warhead weighing up to 500 kg.
- Advanced guidance: The missile is precision-guided, using inertial navigation, satellite systems, and AI refinements to hit targets within 1 meter of their destination.
- Flightprofile: The missile utilizes a solid-fuel booster to launch beyond the atmosphere before a glide vehicle makes unpredictable maneuvers at hypersonic speeds with movable nozzles and aerodynamic control surfaces.
Challenges for Israel's Defense Systems
- Questioning current defenses: Israel's layered missile defense, including Iron Dome, David's Sling, and Arrow systems, is mostly geared towards intercepting ballistic missiles with predictable parabolic trajectories. The "Fattah 2"'s hypersonic speed, coupled with its ability to execute evasive maneuvers mid-flight, severely reduces detection, tracking, and interception times.
- Risk of severe impact: The missile's high speed, maneuverability, and precision increase the likelihood of breaching Israeli defenses and striking critical infrastructure, military bases, or populated areas without significant warning.
- Deterrence and Escalation: The "Fattah 2" alters the military balance in the region, potentially compelling Israel to hasten the development of new hypersonic missile defense technologies and prompting additional military and diplomatic responses.
"Fattah 2" - A game-changer for regional security
The deployment of Iran's hypersonic "Fattah 2" rocket poses a substantial threat to Israel's defense systems, forcing a reevaluation of regional security dynamics (2,3,5).
The political cooperation necessary to address the threat posed by Iran's hypersonic "Fattah 2" rocket becomes critical, as its speed, maneuverability, and precision make it a challenge for traditional missile defense systems like Israel's Iron Dome (1). The stakes for peace and security in the region are higher than ever, with the potential for Turkey's hypersonic missile development also causing general-news concern (4).
