Before launching an attack on Israel on the night of April 13, 2024, Iran decked out its major city buildings with billboards heralding its hypersonic weaponry prowess - boasting a reach to Tel Aviv in just 400 seconds, or roughly six and a half minutes. This missile, named Fatah (Fatah or Fattah), is about to redefine rapid response.
This medium-range ballistic missile boasts a 1400-kilometer range with a velocity exceeding the speed of sound by 15 times - translating to an incredible speed of 17,900 kilometers per hour. While Israeli defense could track this missile, whether its Iron Dome Air Defense could intercept it was the subject of much speculation and doubt. That speculation ended with the events of April 13, during the Iranian attack.
Source: aajtak
The world initially believed Israel's Iron Dome and other air defense systems couldn't stop the seven Iranian ballistic missiles. In truth, they were Fatah hypersonic missiles, and none of Israel's defense systems could stop them. These seven missiles struck Israel's Nevatim Airbase.
Moscow's military expert Vladislav Shurigin reported that Iran's attack that night was executed in waves, starting with Shahed drones and rockets, followed by subsonic cruise missiles, and culminating in Fatah hypersonic missiles and ballistic missiles.
Source: aajtak
The drones and rockets commenced the offensive in unison, creating the first shockwave. Simultaneously, Israeli Defense Forces, the U.S. Navy aircraft carriers, and the Iron Dome system were all in full swing, attempting to thwart the offensive. Despite these efforts, the Iranian hypersonic missiles penetrated Israel's defense shield, with precision impact on their targets.
Let's delve into the attributes of Iran's formidable hypersonic missile...
Source: aajtak
The Fatah is a medium-range hypersonic missile, capable of carrying a 350 to 450 kg warhead and propelled by a solid fuel engine. Its range extends to 1400 kilometers, with speeds varying from 16,052 to 18,522 km/hr. Its maneuverability is its most notable feature, capable of turning in any direction at any time, making escape impossible for any targeted enemy. Additionally, its technology allows it to evade detection by most radar systems.
