AS-24 Killjoy:
Aerial strike on Ukraine, Russia recently employed its AS-24 KILLJOY hypersonic missile, which the country has projected as an “invincible weapon.
- AS-24 Killjoy is the western reporting name of the Kh-47M2 (Kinzhal), a nuclear-capable, Russian air-launched hypersonic ballistic missile.
- It was one of six “next generation” weapons unveiled by Russian President Vladimir Putin during a speech in March 2018.
- It can reach speeds of up to Mach 10(12,350 km/hr).
- It can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads with a payload of up to 480 kg and a thermonuclear option with a 10-50 kt warhead.
- It has a reported range of 1,500-2,000 km.
- It has a length of 8 m, a body diameter of 1 m, and a launch weight of approximately 4,300 kg.
- It is designed to be launched from MiG-31 fighter jetsat altitudes of about 18 km (59,000 ft).
- This missile manoeuvres during all stages of its flight to overcome hostile air defence systems.
