Iranian state television announced on Tuesday that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) used “Fattah” hypersonic missiles for the first time in its attack on Israeli military targets.
These missiles are considered one of the most prominent achievements of Iran’s military industry. They were unveiled in June 2023 during a military parade attended by the late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who praised the missile at the time, describing it as a “pillar of national power.”
What are the Features of the “Fattah” Missile?
The “Fattah” missile is distinguished by its extreme speed, exceeding the speed of sound. It was designed by the experts at the Aerospace Industry Center affiliated with the IRGC. The missile consists of two sections:
The First Section:
The main engine, which is 10 meters long, enables the missile to fly at high speeds both inside and outside the atmosphere. This section separates from the warhead hundreds of kilometers away from the target.
The Second Section:
This part is 3.6 meters long and is equipped with a spherical engine and a movable nozzle, allowing it to maneuver in multiple directions before reaching the target. This makes it capable of evading aerial defense systems. The missile reaches a speed of 13-15 Mach and has a range of 1,400 kilometers.
The IRGC confirmed that this attack was in response to the assassination of prominent leaders and warned that any military retaliation from Israel would be met with even more destructive waves of attacks.
The “Fattah” hypersonic missile was unveiled days after statements from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who vowed to surprise Iran and Israel’s enemies with continuous actions.
According to Iranian sources, with the unveiling of the “Fattah” missile, Iran has joined the exclusive club of nations that produce hypersonic missiles, becoming the fourth country in the world after Russia, the United States, and China.