HGV.

This is coolbert:

"HGVs are carried on top of medium and long-range rocket boosters, where the front warhead section detaches just below the upper atmosphere. This requirement to be ‘boosted’ before being released also led them to be called hypersonic ‘boost glide vehicles.’"

HGV = Hypersonic Glide Vehicle.

"Japan Releases Video Of Hypersonic Glide Vehicle Testing In The U.S."

From The Aviationist | PARTH SATAM & STEFANO D'URSO | July 7, 2024.

"Japan is strengthening its stand-off defense capabilities to quickly and remotely intercept and eliminate invading forces."  [video thanks to You Tube]

"Japan conducted the first test of its hypersonic weapon on Mar. 23, 2024 in the United States, reports on Jul. 4 said quoting Tokyo’s ATLA (Acquisition Technology and Logistics Agency). The ATLA is a part of the MoD (Ministry of Defense)."

Japanese HGV able to maneuver in-flight. Warhead descending on target with a near vertical downward trajectory! Sounds kind of like Rods from God kinetic bombardment concept!

Sounds like something even more formidable that what the USA has it it's inventory right now!

Bully for the Japanese. bully: adjective -  EXCELLENT —often used in interjectional expressions. [an archaic use]

coolbert.

VLS Fr.

This is coolbert:

"Reloading VLS silos at sea has become an increasingly discussed subject since coalition warships have been engaged against missile and drone attacks in the Red Sea. The limited stocks held in each ship of anti-air missiles have required ships to take lengthy journeys to and from allied ports to resupply, as currently they are unable to reload these missiles while at sea."

Hitherto impossible while-at-sea-and-underway replenishment of naval vertical launch system [VLS]  missiles of the surface-to-air variety solution now found! The French lead the way?

"French Navy Trials Ship to Ship Vertical Launch Missile Resupply"

June 27, 2024 | by KAI GREET

"The French Navy has revealed the testing of a new capability to resupply and reload vertical launch system (VLS) missiles on warships from its newest generation of fleet logistics vessels."

"Photos released by the French Navy, or Marine Nationale, on its X social media account have demonstrated a new development that would allow greater flexibility in the force’s ability to restock missile payloads on its surface ships."

Warships needing a refill of VLS silos now not required to return to home port for ordnance restock. Can be accomplished while at sea and underway! This gives considerable advantage.

Think the naval task forces vicinity Yemen repeatedly bombarded with drone/cruise missile attack. Expenditure of VLS missiles extraordinary.

See previous blog entries as apropos:

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2024/01/plowed.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2024/01/unsustainable.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2023/12/gargantuan.html

coolbert.

Cyclone.

This is coolbert:

"Overall, the Russian Black Sea Fleet has faced significant challenges and losses in Ukraine, with many of its warships being destroyed or damaged. Ukraine’s use of drones and missile systems has been particularly effective in targeting Russian naval assets." - AI generated.

The anger of Vlad waxes exceedingly hot! More bad news!

"SHIP SUNK Huge blow for Putin as Russia’s only remaining missile cruiser in Black Sea ‘The Zyklon’ is destroyed by Ukraine"

 From https://www.thesun.co.uk |  Paul Sims | 24 May 2024 |  https://tinyurl.com/nhzdt97k

"The cruiser's sinking is part of Ukraine’s ongoing campaign targeting the Russian Black Sea Fleet"

"PUTIN’S newest and only remaining missile cruiser in the Black Sea was destroyed by Ukraine forces in a huge blow to his naval forces."

"The 'Zyklon' was destroyed alongside the 266-M minesweeper, Kovrovets, in a devastating strike at the weekend." Read further the attack on the Kovrovets.   https://tinyurl.com/rayx244n

Attack by American ATACMS a possible. Long-range rocket artillery.

ZYKLON DID NOT EVEN MAKE IT A YEAR AFTER BEING COMMISSIONED AND DEEMED OPERATIONALLY READY! 

coolbert.

Undetectable!

This is coolbert:

Look-down shoot-down. The Ukraine Conflict.

AWACS for the Ukrainian? What next? AWACS = airborne early warning and control (AEW&C)

 Ukrainian ability to intercept and shoot-down low-flying stealth Russian cruise missiles very scant to non-existent. Now a dire necessity.

Thanks here to an extract from the first paragraph of a Strategy Page article.

"ARTILLERY: Russian Kh-69 For Never Cruise Missile"

Russian Kh-69 stealth cruise missiles used the Ukraine Conflict the Ukrainian having no counter.

"April 28, 2024: Russia is trying to perfect its Kh-69 stealthy cruise missile, which is an upgrade of the older Kh-59. Kh-69 was still in development throughout 2023, then in April 2024 six of these missiles, launched from a Russian fighter-bomber, were used to destroy a Ukrainian power plant. Ukrainian air defense systems did not detect the incoming Kh-69s because they were launched from Russian aircraft that were on the Russian side of the Ukrainian border and, when the missiles entered Ukraine, they were low to the ground and virtually undetectable by Ukrainian ground radar. It would take an aircraft based ground surveillance radar, like the one carried by the Americans AWACS aircraft, to spot incoming Kh-69s. Ukraine doesn’t have any AWACS but NATO has fourteen of them and the United States has 31. There are dozens of smaller AWACS-type aircraft produced by other countries, such as Sweden, based on twin-engine business jets. NATO or the United States could provide Ukraine with some AWACS but Ukraine would have to supply jet fighters to protect the AWACS against potentially aggressive and possibly effective efforts to shoot them down."

Comments:

* First obtain three or four of whatever type AWACS already up and flying and operational. Source not so relevant.

* Train the ground crews and those manning the electronic radar and associated apparatus.

* Train the flight crews. Those that actually fly the warplane.

* Provide protection from Russian air-launched air to air missile of the R-37 variety.

* A minimum of about $1 billion USD to get the entire paraphernalia/impedimenta up and going with success. Sustain also.

Needed now but only an item[s] that can be accomplished in the far-off future and not the near future I fear.

Foreign interventionism I might not think desirable. Crossing a red line and all that.

coolbert.

CHAMP.

This is coolbert:

Deployed but not used?

"Report: US deployed microwave missiles that can disable Iran's nuclear facilities"

"Mary Lou Robinson, former chief of the Air Force's High Power Microwave Division, confirmed to DailyMail.com that the missiles are 'ready to take out any military target, including nuclear facilities.'"

From https://www.israelhayom.com | By  ILH Staff | 04-20-2024.

"According to an exclusive report from DailyMail.com, the US Air Force has quietly deployed a new type of missile that can destroy the electronics of Iran's nuclear facilities using high-power microwaves, without causing any fatalities."

Kind of sounds like the neutron bomb!

"The missiles, known as the Counter-Electronics High Power Microwave Advanced Missile Project (CHAMP), were developed by Boeing's Phantom Works for the US Air Force Research Laboratory. After successful testing in 2012, around 20 of these microwave missiles became operational and were deployed to various locations around the globe in 2019."

"As DailyMail.com reports, the CHAMP missiles are air-launched cruise missiles fitted with an electromagnetic pulse cannon that generates a concentrated beam of high-power microwave energy. This energy can fry the computer chips and electronic systems of targeted facilities, rendering them inoperable."

Carried in the bomb bay of a F-35 Lightning presumably! Emits an electro-magnetic pulse that devastates all solid-state electronic components.

coolbert.

AD OPS.

This is coolbert:

“We've [USN] been firing SM-2s, we've been firing SM-6s, and - just over the weekend - SM-3s to actually counter the ballistic missile threat that's coming from Iran. So we need this supplemental to pass this week.” - Del Toro.

SM = Standard Missile. Surface to air anti-aircraft missile. AD = Air Defense.

"Destroyer Missile Stocks After Air Defense Ops Against Iran and Yemen"

From https://militarywatchmagazine.com | April-18th-2024.

"Speaking before the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee on April 16, Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro stated that the service required close to $1 billion in additional spending to replenish stocks of munitions expended in operations against Iranian and Yemeni forces since October. 'It’s critical for Congress to pass a supplemental [spending bill] this week so that we could actually get the additional resources to be able to supplement those munitions,' he stated, and supported tying spending with military aid packages for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. The statement followed the largest ever air defense operation by the U.S. Navy’s primary surface combatant the Arleigh Burke Class destroyer, two of which were credited with multiple interceptions of Iranian ballistic missiles over Israel on April 14. The U.S. Navy and Air Force between them reportedly shot down more Iranian targets than Israel, the United Kingdom, France and Jordan combined, with the operation having seen the combat debut of the Arleigh Burke Class’ new SM-3 anti ballistic missile." 

Comments:

* These appropriations all seem now to be done as part of a bundled package. In my opinion a poor way to do national defense budgeting.

* Those missiles for AD not cheap and not assembly-line quickly built. If you want it now you must pay for it now.

* All of this of course a response to the Hootie Tootie Yemeni insurgents their efforts to interdict commercial shipping traffic the Red Sea.  Benefit-cost-ratio greatly in favor of the attacking Hootie-Tootie.

coolbert.

Burke DDG-51.

This is coolbert:

31-knot Burke still alive after all this many decades? 

Mission ballistic missile intercept and destruction. Mission accomplished!

"American Sailors, Airmen Helped Thwart Iranian Missile Attack on Israel"

From https://www.breitbart.com  KRISTINA WONG | 15 Apr 2024..

"While Israeli air defense systems took out most of the 300 missiles and one-way drones fired by Iran during an unprecedented attack on Israel on Saturday, American sailors and airmen in the region helped to shoot down a number of them."

"U.S. sailors on the USS Arleigh Burke and USS Carney, stationed in the Mediterranean Sea, destroyed between four to six Iranian ballistic missiles, according to a senior military official briefing reporters on Sunday."

American radar Site 512 the Negev desert I imagine very active during the Iranian multi-faceted attack on Israel. In particular Site 512 the purpose of which to detect the launch of Iranian BALLISTIC missiles the Middle-East theater. Providing net-centric intercept information to all firing batteries onshore or at-sea.

And job well done! A real world test of all systems with success!

coolbert.

Victory.

This is coolbert:

"All the drones and cruise missiles were downed outside of the country’s airspace by the IAF and its allies, including the United States, United Kingdom, Jordan, France, and others." 

"Video Evidence Shows Several Iranian Cruise Missiles Scored Direct Hits"

More video the drone/missile attack Israel.

From https://www.zerohedge.com | BY TYLER DURDEN | APR 14, 2024.

Ballistic missiles and not cruise missiles the culprits.

"Both Israel and the US have declared a 'victory' in defending against the overnight massive Iranian drone and missile attack, which reportedly saw over 300 projectiles sent toward Israel. Ground anti-air systems were very active, including the Iron Dome, David's Sling, and Arrow system - the latter intended to thwart long-range missiles. The night skies over Israel were lit up for several hours, with explosions ringing out above various cities, especially Jerusalem."

"US systems were also heavily engaged on behalf of Washington's closest Middle East ally. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) also subsequently said its air force fighter jets downed some 170 drones and 30 cruise missiles."

"However, a few videos are widely circulating which appear to offer proof that at least some of Iran's ballistic missiles found their way to a ground target, contradicting Israel's optimistic narrative of almost "all" drones and missiles intercepted."

"The videos purport to show several missiles scoring direct hits on two key Israeli military bases in the south of the country: Nevatim Airbase and Ramon Airbase"

DIRECT HITS WITH VERY MINIMAL DAMAGE. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY REPAIRED!

"The bomber will always get through!" And the ballistic missile too. On target? That is the question. When the warhead a conventional explosive it must be!

coolbert.

Outlay.

This is coolbert:

"The Israeli Air Force released photos and videos of its fighter jets returning after successfully intercepting targets. F-15Is were seen with a mixed loadout which included AIM-7 Sparrow semi-active radar homing missiles and Python 5 and AIM-9L Sidewinder IR-guided missiles."

"Israeli Air Force Releases Videos Of Tonight’s Interception of Iranian Drones And Missiles"

From https://theaviationist.com | STEFANO D'URSO | April 14, 2024. 

"The footage shows drones and cruise missiles being tracked by targeting pods before being hit by air-to-air missiles."

Go see the various video courtesy the Aviationist article!

"Last night, the Israeli air defenses were put to the test when Iran launched a massive retaliatory drone and missile attack against Israel, nearly two weeks after an Israeli attack on the Iranian consulate in Syria killed seven IRGC members. Both surface-to-air air defenses and fighter aircraft were employed, supported by US, UK and Jordanian assets, to stop the attacks before they could strike their targets."

Israeli expense for air defense this one mass attack alone estimated at slightly in excess of $1 billion USD!

By comparison the Iranian attacker that expenditure about one-tenth the amount of the Israeli defender!

"According to Israel’s Ynet, citing Israel’s economic advisor to the former Chief of Staff, Brigadier General Ram Aminach, estimates are that it may have costed Iran around 10% of Israel’s financial hit: ~$100m-$150m."

coolbert.

Costly.

This is coolbert:

Hey, nobody ever said any of this was going to be cheap, did they?

"News World Countering Iran's overnight attack costs Israel $1.35B: Israeli media"

https://www.anews.com.tr | Anadolu Agency & AFP WORLD | April 14, 2024.

"Countering Iran's overnight attack costs Israel $1.35B: Israeli media"

"Israeli media reported that the interception of dozens of Iranian missiles and drones by Israel overnight incurred a cost of up to 5 billion shekels ($1.35 billion). Each Arrow missile used for interception costs $3.5 million, while a Magic Wand missile costs $1 million, in addition to aircraft sorties involved in interception."

Arrow and Magic Wand strictly [?] used for the intercept of incoming enemy ballistic missiles.

Cost of intercepts drones and cruise missiles too must be taken into consideration. Israeli Iron Dome system each missile when fired an expenditure of about $ 125K USD. 

Many drones and cruise missiles also shot-down by conventional air force fighter/interceptor using either cannon fire or air-to-air- missile. A single sortie of a F-16 costing about "cost per flight hour has been estimated at $7,000 to $22,470 or $24,000". Air intercept using an AIM-9 Sidewinder the cost for the missile alone about $400K USD.

Billions for defense, but not a dime for tribute!

coolbert.

Ballistics.

This is coolbert:

Israeli air defense 99 % effective? Does sound too good to be true?

"IDF: 99% of the 300 or so projectiles fired by Iran at Israel overnight were intercepted"

From Times of Israel ^ | 4/14/24 | Emanuel Fabian | the tip from Freeper.

"IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari says 99% of the 300 or so projectiles fired by Iran at Israel overnight were intercepted by air defenses."

"He says Iran launched 170 drones at Israel, and not one entered Israeli airspace. They were all downed outside of the country’s borders by Israel and its allies."

"Another 30 cruise missiles were launched, and not a single one entered Israeli airspace, he says. According to Hagari, 25 of them were downed by the Israeli Air Force."

"In addition, Hagari says Iran fired 120 ballistic missiles at Israel. Some of the missiles managed to bypass Israel’s defenses, hitting the Nevatim Airbase in southern Israel."

"Hagari says slight damage was caused to infrastructure at Nevatim, but the airbase is running as usual."

"Additionally, he says, a handful of drones and missiles were launched from Iraq and Yemen amid the attack, although none entered Israeli airspace."

More than one-third of the "projectiles" launched by the Iranian ballistic missiles. Normally if the radar track determining course and impact area shows the missile warhead will land in an unpopulated and insignificant area no effort will be made at at intercept!

coolbert.

R-37 BVRAAM.

This is coolbert: 

Foxhound si, Flanker-E no.

"Russian Su-35’s radar ‘eats’ half of the R-37M missile full range"

From https://bulgarianmilitary.com | By Boyko Nikolov | Mar 23, 2024.

"The Russian R-37M hypersonic air-to-air missile is regarded as one of the most potent and impressive munitions in Russian combat aviation. According to the technical specifications released by Russia, the missile travels at a speed of Mach 6 and boasts a range of up to 400 km." [about 240 miles]

"Since the onset of the war in Ukraine, analysts have speculated that the missile’s range has not been substantiated. Instead, the ambitious 400 km seems unattainable, though the R-37M met the standard for operational range before entering service in 2019. Some experts attribute this to the difference in the plane that tested the missile and the one wielding it in actual combat."

R-37 very long-range air to air missile not performing to standard as touted? Range during engagements ONLY HALF as advertised!

MiG-31 FOXHOUND that organic radar able to detect an adversary and guide onto target the R-37. Su-35 FLANKER-E the organic radar less powerful. Not able to detect targets at maximum range of the R-37. R-37 fired from a FLANKER-E only HALF the maximum range possible.

R-37 a beyond visual-range air-to-air missile now reliant upon the Russian A-50 AWACS for targeting and guidance to the target? My speculation intuitively so!

See prior blog entry A-50 with additional embedded links as possibly relevant:

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2024/03/kindled.html

coolbert.

Peacemaker.

This is coolbert:

"Defense Secretary Grant Shapps and First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Ben Key were both on board the submarine during the test, according to the newspaper."

See that most recent blog entry the abortive submarine launch of a Trident missile! 

See too the video of the Trident missile malfunction. Cleared the water, rocket motor fired, then gyrations and catastrophic failure!

Too what extent the British submarine and crew were in peril from their own missile I guess will be a question that should never be asked or answered if indeed asked!

VIP onboard of the most highest level of authority and rank "observing" the launch I can only guess what their response was.

Do not think such a calamitous event existing in a vacuum. Historically such debacle during weapons testing or demonstrations not common but not rare either.

Naval gun of the "Peacemaker" variety exploding, killing numerous very high-ranking American VIP the USS Princeton [1844].

"On February 28, 1844, during a Potomac River pleasure cruise for dignitaries, one gun exploded, killing six people including Secretary of State Abel P. Upshur and Secretary of the Navy Thomas Walker Gilmer, and injuring others, including a United States Senator and Captain Stockton. The disaster on board the Princeton killed more top U.S. government officials in one day than any other tragedy in American history. President John Tyler, who was aboard but below decks, was not injured." 

See also this prior blog entry item # 2 a live and armed torpedo mistakenly fired at a warship on which as an observer no less personage than the USA President Franklin Roosevelt.

Think also from the era of the Cold War the event referred to as the "Nedelin Catastrophe". Soviet liquid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missile undergoing test  a major malfunction occurring. Marshal Nedelin perishing along with numerous other VIP and observers present. 

Thankfully this British missile firing submarine escaping calamitous damage. But always, take precautions!

coolbert.

Shrinkflation.

This is coolbert:

Not really a mystery!

"Mysteries behind the US Navy’s depleting Tomahawk missile stockpile"

https://bulgarianmilitary.com | By Alexey Lenkov | Feb 13, 2024.

"The US military is grappling with a significant but silent crisis, colloquially referred to as 'shrinkflation'. Basically, this term denotes the military’s dwindling capacity and readiness due to the yearly budget failing to keep pace with inflation. Consequently, the US’s ability to manufacture new aircraft, ships, and precision weapons is not meeting the escalating demand for these resources."

"As America counters threats posed by rebel groups aligned with Iran, a growing sense of unease is permeating Washington. The concerns aren’t solely focused on the increasingly perilous global threats. They also include a dwindling stockpile of weapons and a strained production output. "

Hardly a mystery. Missiles expended at a rate beyond replenishment. Indeed, procurement and replenishment of all military ordnance resources and stockpiled weaponry for emergencies and contingencies I well imagine at a low level.

Budgeted items cost of new "stuff" beyond what had been anticipated. Money, money, money! Resources not infinite.

coolbert.

Kitchen.

This is coolbert:

"Everything but the kitchen sink and maybe that too!"

See from that very recent prior blog entry.

KITCHEN X-22 missile! The Russian did include the KITCHEN X-22 missile that most recent missile bombardment Ukraine!

"Russia’s Kh-22 – the Missile Ukraine Has Yet to Shoot Down"

"In 2000, Ukraine transferred 386 Kh-22 missiles to Russia as an installment against the gas debt. These have since be used to target Ukrainian cities in attacks like the one this morning." [29 December]

From https://www.kyivpost.com | by Kyiv Post | December 29, 2023.

"Since the launch of the full-scale invasion, Russian forces have fired around 300 Kh-22 missiles (also called X-22 in English) at Ukraine, none of which have been intercepted and shot down, a Kyiv official said on Friday."

"Speaking just hours after a massive attack on cities across Ukraine, Air Force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat said this and a modified version of the rocket were likely some of those that made it past air defenses today." [29 December]

KITCHEN [NATO code name] Russian missile carrying a severe wallop [a large warhead] with a near impossible flight trajectory to intercept and shoot-down.

Modified version of KITCHEN [Kh-32] used the most recent attack Ukraine? As from the wiki entry:

"By August 2016, Russia was finalizing the trials of the Kh-32 cruise missile, a derivative of the Kh-22. Designed for use by the Tu-22M3 bomber, the missile is designed to climb to 40 km (130,000 ft) to the stratosphere after launch, transition to level flight, then perform a steep dive to the target"

Near invulnerable to intercept and shoot-down! KITCHEN!

coolbert.

S-300.

This is coolbert:

Article from September of last year but still absolutely relevant.

Bulgaria sending an inventory of out-of-service MALFUNCTIONING and INOPERABLE air defense missiles [S-300] to the Ukrainian?

"Bulgaria will donate S-300 malfunctioning missiles to Ukraine"

 From https://bulgarianmilitary.com |  By Boyko Nikolov | Sep 26, 2023.

"Members of the Bulgarian Parliament are contemplating a significant proposition regarding the donation of missiles for the S-300 air defense system, a pivotal element safeguarding the country’s airspace."

[....]

"While such news might usually be treated as standard, a statement by Ivaylo Mirchev, an MP from DB, stirred several inquiries. Mirchev suggested that the S-300 missiles, deemed unusable by the Bulgarian military, could essentially function as spare parts for the Ukrainians. According to Mirchev’s comments, the missiles can’t be renovated or revived in Bulgaria while the Ukrainians possess the necessary capacity to utilize them."

Missiles [S-300] inoperable and not repairable! But the Ukrainian can use for spare parts. I guess it is good to fly!

coolbert.

Staggering.

This is coolbert:

Everything but the kitchen sink and maybe that too!

"Everything but the Kitchen Sink - when discussing a situation that includes just about everything possible."

Russian massive almost overwhelming missile and drone attack Ukrainian targets.

"Russia spent nearly half a billion $US to attack Ukraine on Feb.7"

From https://bulgarianmilitary.com | By Boyko Nikolov | Feb 7, 2024.

"In the early hours and continuing into the morning of February 7, a staggering 64 aerial projectiles were launched at Ukraine by the Russian military. These attacks consisted of an assortment of missiles and assault drones. Remarkably, Ukraine’s military claims that they were able to destroy a total of 44 of the incoming projectiles."

"This massive assault involved the deployment of 20 Shahed suicide drones and a diverse array of 34 missiles, spanning from the Iskander to the S-300, the Caliber to the X-22, and the Kh-101 / Kh-555 / Kh-55. These projectiles were launched from air, land, and sea sources. According to Ukrainian officials, they successfully intercepted and shot down 44 of these airborne threats with their air defense systems, aviation facilities, and mobile fire squads."

"An informative report from Economic Truth suggests that this single assault on Ukraine carries a staggering price tag exceeding $420 million. These calculations are made by adding up the individual manufacturing costs of each ordnance." 

Comments:

* ONLY about 30 % of the missiles and drones actually evaded Ukrainian multi-layered air defense? [fifty-four or sixty-four incoming aerial projectiles?]

* Expenditure of nearly a $ half billion USD for the maximum effort a prodigious sum.

* The Russian military less than pleased at the results? Can anyone doubt this?

coolbert.

KN-23/KN-24 NK.

This is coolbert: 

Once again, North Korean technology on display the Ukraine Conflict. This time high technology rather than low technology.

"Video: North Korean KN-23 and KN-24 ballistic missions [missiles] bomb Ukrainian positions in Kharkiv and Zaporizhia - Threats from Britain"

"North Korea's defense facts [manufacturing?] for Russia are at full capacity"

From warnews247-gr  |  06/01/2024. 

"Released video shows the Russian Army hitting Ukrainian military positions in Kharkiv with North Korean ballistic missions. Under investigation is a second strike by the Russian ED, this time in Zaporizhia." [ED = ?]

"Ukrainians and Americans have collected debris from the missile in an attempt to identify the variant of the threats that North Korea gave to Russia."

[....]

"According to reports, the DPRK ballistic missions used by Russia to attack Ukraine are KN-23 and KN-24."

"These missiles approximate the characteristics of the Russian Iskander and, therefore, can be launched by the Russian Federation's missile systems."

"Some Western analysts point out that North Korea's missiles are in some ways even better than the Russian 'protetype"' [sic].

[....]

"As for the KN-24, it is visually similar to the [USA] ATACMS, but its proven launch range is longer at 410 km [about 240 miles]."

See previous blog entry North Korean war-making munitions Ukraine conflict:

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2024/01/152-mm-dprk.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2024/01/ammo-dprk.html

coolbert.

HIMARS CM.

This is coolbert:

The Russian city of Belgorod, under continual attack from Ukrainian artillery. Consider this to be retaliation for the most recent massive drone/cruise missile/missile attack on Ukraine by Russian forces. 

"Ukraine continues missile strikes on Russian city"

"Belgorod has been targeted by Kiev's artillery for the 7th day in a row"

From www.rt.com | 4 Jan, 2024.

Of greater interest read this comment by a man who goes by the name of the "Themechanic".

The Russian has devised a counter to the American HIMARS rocket artillery system? So as alleged.

"Themechanic"

"1/5/2024: RUSSIA DEVELOPING COUNTER MEASURES AND NEUTRALIZED HIMMARS. HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE? Part 2- A fairly effective tactic to destroy these systems as they were working on the principle of shout [sic] and scout [sic] made it difficult for detection. They were fired from 50 or 60 kms [30 to 36 miles] from behind enemy lines by the West against Russian targets with Satnav missiles. The Russian Tornato-S systems, who are very capable still had trouble reacting fast enough to destroy enemy positions because as soon enemy fires, it was moved immediately. Russia created special radars, these are the latest which detect immediately enemy positions by the plum [path] of the missile. Other systems are now being tested in the battlefield as well by transmitting the coordinates to Russian artillery men, including pilots of fighter jets. These are the Kupol satellite group, and the reconissence [sic] aircraft Orion and TU-214R. These Russian satellites are hovering 24/7 over Ukraine detecting multiple rocket systems while Orion are scanning the whole country. The TU-214R has powerful high resolution optical electronic system and active phase antenna which detects the smallest objects in vast territories. Now, these systems are brand new and currently were just deployed in Ukraine. As you can see, Ukraine has become the rating ground for high tech weapon systems."

Comments:

* When "Themechanic" speaks of shout [sic] and scout [sic], think rather shoot and scoot.

* See further the wiki entry the definition of shoot-and-scoot in the military context.

* The Russian not so much having devised a counter to the HIMARS missile itself, but rather of an ability to locate the HIMARS firing unit. HIMARS launchers difficult to locate because they have a built-in shoot and scoot capability.

"scoot: verb - 1. to move swiftly"

* Nowhere can I find part one HIMARS countermeasures.

 We shoot we ride we shoot again. The very nature of the HIMARS system encapsulated in a few words.

coolbert.

Fearsome.

This is coolbert:

The fearsome and unstoppable Russian hypersonic missile, not so unstoppable. American Patriot SAM able to counter Khinzal. At least in the hands of Ukrainian AD missile men it is.

"Feared Russian hypersonic missile shot down over Kyiv"

From The Telegraph via Yahoo ^ | January 2nd, 2024 | Timothy Sigsworth.

"The US-supplied Patriot air defense system shot down a ‘record’ ten hypersonic missiles fired at Ukraine from Russia on Tuesday morning. Kinzhal hypersonic missiles are part of an arsenal of weapons Vladimir Putin claimed were indestructible because of the speed at which they travel. Kyiv earlier said that Russia fired 99 missiles of different types at Ukraine in its large-scale attack on Tuesday morning, and that its air force shot down 72 of them"

See previous blog entry, the ability of Ukrainian missile men to shoot down the Russian Khinzal hypersonic missile using American Patriot SAM to do so. Something which was previously thought to be impossible is no impossible:

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2023/05/missilemen.html

coolbert.