Iran recently released a video showing the hypersonic missile Fattah-2 being used in an attack targeting locations in Tel Aviv and surrounding areas in Israel. This hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) is known for its maneuverability and potential to overcome modern defense systems. Introduced by Iran in late 2023, the Fattah-2 is presented as a significant advancement in its strategic deterrent capabilities, capable of flying at hypersonic speeds and penetrating modern defense systems.
While the technical characteristics of the Fattah-2 have not been independently verified, it is believed to have a range of about 1,500 km and a design similar to previous Fattah models. The reentry vehicle (RV) system of the Fattah-2 is said to have an aerodynamic shape reminiscent of the X-51 Waverider prototype developed by Boeing. However, the design does not show any air inlets, a crucial component for scramjet engines, raising questions about the actual flight mechanism of the vehicle.
A scramjet engine is a type of turbojet engine that sucks in air and burns fuel in a supersonic airflow, allowing the vehicle to reach very high speeds, often above Mach 4-5. The cross-sectional images released during the launch event show that the Fattah-2’s RV has a structure consisting of two separate compartments of different sizes, similar to the fuel and oxidizer tank configuration commonly found in liquid-fueled missile systems.
