Aerospace Attack Means by Leading Foreign Countries.
Part 4. Medium-range ballistic missile
I. E. Afonin1, А. А. Disenov2, D. A. Cherepanov2, S. I. Makarenko3, R. L. Mikhailov4
1Krasnodar Higher Military Aviation School of Pilots.
2Military Educational and Scientific Center of the Air Force «N.E. Zhukovsky and Y.A. Gagarin Air Force Academy» (Voronezh).
3Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University 'LETI'; Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation.
4Military University of Radio Electronics.
DOI 10.24412/2410-9916-2026-3-051-119
Abstract
Relevance. The increase in geopolitical tensions observed since the start of 2022 has increased the likelihood of military conflict. The use of aerospace attack means (ASAM), such as ballistic missiles, has become a hallmark of modern warfare. In some instances, a conventional conflict may escalate into a war, with medium-range ballistic missiles (MRBMs) being used for missile strikes. This research aims of the work to create descriptive model of MRBMs of leading foreign nations (LFN). In particular, MRBMs of China, Israel, India, North Korea, Iran, and Pakistan are considered: DF-17 (Dong Feng-17), Jericho 2 (YA-3), Agni II, No Dong 1/2, Taepo Dong 1, Shahab-3/4 (Ghadr-1), Sejil (Ashoura), Khorramshahr/Musudan (BM-25), Hatf 5 (Ghauri), and Hatf 6 (Shaheen 2). The model is based solely on open source information. The results and their novelty. The descriptive model of IRBMs is presented in the paper. The generalized tactical and technical characteristics of typical MRBMs LFN are an element of novelty of the work. Practical significance. The results of this study will contribute to the existing body of knowledge regarding MRBMs, providing valuable insights into the complexities of these systems and their potential impact on global security. The descriptive model of MRBMs will be useful for specialized specialists to substantiate the requirements for the tactical and technical characteristics of promising aerospace defense systems and methods of their combat use to ensure the protection of the Russian Federation.
Key words
means of aerospace attack, descriptive model, Medium-range ballistic missile, tactical and technical characteristics, warhead, combat unit.
Reference for citation
Afonin I. E., Disenov А. А., Cherepanov D. А., Makarenko S. I., Mikhailov R. L. Aerospace Attack Means by Leading Foreign Countries. Part 4. Medium-range ballistic missile. Systems of Control, Communication and Security, 2025, no. 3, pp. 51-119. DOI: 10.24412/2410-9916-2025-3-051-119 (in Russian).
References
1. Spravochnik po terminologii v oboronnoj sfere [Handbook of terminology in the defense sphere]. Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. Available at: http://dictionary.mil.ru/dictionary (accessed 18 Febuary 2024) (in Russian).
2. Ballisticheskaya raketa [Ballistic missile]. Handbook of terminology in the defense sphere. Available at: https://dictionary.mil.ru/folder/123087/item/129995/ (accessed 18 Febuary 2024) (in Russian).
3. Raketa ballisticheskaya [Ballistic missile]. Handbook of terminology in the defense sphere. Available at: https://dictionary.mil.ru/folder/123087/item/130381/ (accessed 18 Febuary 2024) (in Russian).
4. Treaty between the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the United States of America on the Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms. 18 June 1979. Available at: http://www.armscontrol.ru/start/rus/docs/osv-2.txt (accessed 26 November 2023) (in Russian).
5. Jane's Weapons: Strategic 2020-2021. IHS Markit, 2021. 295 p.
6. Sredstva vozdushno-kosmicheskogo napadeniya i vozdushno-kosmicheskoj oborony. Sostoyanie i razvitie [Means of air-space attack and air-space defense. Status and development]. Moscow, "Planeta" Publ., 2017, 336 p. (in Russian).
7. Wragg David W. A Dictionary of Aviation (1st American ed.). New York. Frederick Fell, 1974, Inc. 166 p.
8. Treaty between the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the United States of America Elimination of Intermediate-range and Shorter-Range Missiles. 08 December 1987. Available at: https://www.un.org/ru/documents/decl_conv/ conventions/pdf/treaty.pdf (accessed 05 January 2025) (in Russian).
9. Afonin I. E., Makarenko S. I., Mitrofanov D. V. Analysis of the concept of "Prompt global strike" of air-space attack means and substantiation of prospective directions of air-space defense system development in the Arctic in the interest of defense. Aerospace forces. Theory and practice, 2020, no. 15, pp. 75-87 (in Russian).
10. Makarenko S. I., Kovalskiy A. A., Afonin I. E. Justification of Perspective Directions of Development of the Russian Federation's Anti-Space Defense System in the Interests of Timely Opening and Repulse the Aerospace Attack Means "Prompt Global Strike". Aerospace forces. Theory and practice, 2020, no. 16, pp. 99-115 (in Russian).
11. Afonin I. E., Makarenko S. I., Petrov S. V., Privalov A. A. Analysis of combat experience as groups of unmanned aerial vehicles are used to defeat anti-aircraft missile means of the air defense system in Syria, Libya and Nagorno-Karabakh wars. Systems of Control, Communication and Security, 2020, no. 4, pp. 163-191 (in Russian). DOI 10.24411/2410 9916-2020-10406.
12. Afonin I. E., Makarenko S. I., Petrov S. V. Descriptive model of intelligence systems used to detection the elements of an aerospace defense system and target designation when aerospace attack means are doing prompt global strike. Systems of Control, Communication and Security, 2021, no. 1, pp. 190-214 (in Russian). DOI: 10.24411/2410-9916-2021-10108.
13. Afonin I. E., Makarenko S. I., Petrov S. V. Descriptive model of the electronic warfare subsystem as part aerospace attack means used to suppression elements of an aerospace defense system. Systems of Control, Communication and Security, 2021, no. 2, pp. 76-95 (in Russian). DOI: 10.24412/2410-9916-2021-2-76-95.
14. Makarenko S. I., Afonin I. E., Kopichev O. S., Mamonchikova A. S. The general Lanchester model defining multilateral conflicts. Automation of Control Processes, 2021, no. 2, pp. 66-76 (in Russian). DOI: 10.35752/1991-2927-2021-2 64-66-76.
15. Afonin I. E., Petrov S. V., Makarenko S. I. Transition to the adaptive network structure of the aerospace defense control system as one of the main ways for increase of its stability. Aerospace forces. Theory and practice, 2021, no. 19, pp. 159-178 (in Russian). DOI: 10.24412/2500-4352-2021-19-159-178.
16. Afonin I. E., Petrov S. V., Gimbickij V. A., Popov M. A., Valiev R. M. Ob aktual'nosti povysheniya ustojchivosti sistemy upravleniya vozdushno-kosmicheskoj oboronoj v konflikte so sredstvami vozdushno kosmicheskogo napadeniya [On the relevance of increasing the stability of the aerospace defense control system in a conflict with the means of aerospace attack]. Peredacha, obrabotka, otobrazhenie informacii. Sbornik materialov 32-Vserossijskoj nauchno-prakticheskoj konferencii [Transmission, processing, and display of information. Collection of materials of the 32nd All-Russian Scientific and Practical Conference]. Krasnodar – Terskol, Moscow, Rus-Science Publ., 2022, pp. 43-51 (in Russian).
17. Afonin I. E. Informacionnyj konflikt sistem vozdushno-kosmicheskoj oborony i sredstv vozdushno-kosmicheskogo napadeniya protivnika pri razvitii voennogo konflikta. Obosnovanie aktual'nosti [Information conflict of aerospace defense systems and enemy aerospace attack means during the development of a military conflict. Justification of relevance]. Problemy sozdaniya i primeneniya kosmicheskih apparatov i sistem sredstv vyvedeniya v interesah resheniya zadach Vooruzhennyh Sil Rossijskoj Federacii: materialy III Vserossijskoj nauchno-prakticheskoj konferencii [The problems of creating and using spacecraft and launch vehicle systems in the interests of solving the tasks of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. Materials of the 3rd All-Russian Scientific and Practical Conference]. Saint-Petersburg, Military Space Academy named after A.F. Mozhaisky Publ., 2022, pp. 184-189 (in Russian).
18. Afonin I. E., Makarenko S. I., Mikhailov R. L. Bystryj globalnyj udar: retrospektivnyj analiz koncepcii, veroyatnyj scenarij naneseniya, sostav sil i sredstv, posledstviya i prioritetnye meropriyatiya po protivodejstviyu. Monografiya [A prompt global strike: a retrospective analysis of the concept, the likely scenario of the application, the composition of additional funds, consequences and priority measures to counteract. Monograph]. Saint Petersburg, Naukoemkie Tehnologii Publ., 2022. 174 p. (in Russian).
19. Afonin I. E., Makarenko S. I., Mikhailov R. L. Descriptive model of combat potentials of sides in the conflict between the aerospace defense system and the aerospace attack means. Systems of Control, Communication and Security, 2022, no. 3, pp. 41-66 (in Russian). DOI: 10.24412/2410-9916-2022-3-41-66.
20. Afonin I. E., Tabyrca D. V. Perspektivy ispol'zovaniya novyh informacionnyh tekhnologij v sisteme upravleniya vozdushno-kosmicheskoj oboronoj [Prospects for the use of new information technologies in the aerospace defense control system]. Sostoyanie i perspektivy razvitiya sovremennoj nauki po napravleniyu "Robototekhnika". Sbornik statej V Vserossijskoj nauchno-tekhnicheskoj konferencii [The state and prospects of development of modern science in the field of Robotics. Collection of articles of the V All-Russian Scientific and Technical Conference]. Anapa, Federal State Autonomous Institution "Military Innovative Technopolis "ERA", 2023, pp. 421-431 (in Russian).
21. Afonin I. E., Makarenko S. I., Petrov S. V. Model for assessing the stability of an aerospace defense control system in conflict with aerospace attack means. Systems of Control, Communication and Security, 2023, no. 3, pp. 227-266 (in Russian). DOI: 10.24412/2410-9916-2023-3-227-266.
22. Afonin I. E., Makarenko S. I., Mikhailov R. L. Aerospace Attack Means by Leading Foreign Countries. Part 1. Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles. Systems of Control, Communication and Security, 2024, no. 1, pp. 138-190 (in Russian). DOI: 10.24412/2410-9916-2024-1-138-190.
23. Afonin I. E., Makarenko S. I., Mikhailov R. L., Kupriyanov N. A., Potapov A. A. Aerospace Attack Means by Leading Foreign Countries. Part 2. Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile. Systems of Control, Communication and Security, 2024, no. 4, pp. 223-286 (in Russian). DOI: 10.24412/2410-9916-2024-4-223-286.
24. Afonin I. E., Disenov А. А., Cherepanov D. A., Makarenko S. I., Mikhailov R. L. Aerospace Attack Means by Leading Foreign Countries. Part 3. Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile. Systems of Control, Communication and Security, 2025, no. 3, pp. 170-215 (in Russian). DOI: 10.24412/2410-9916-2025-3-170-215.
25. Afonin I. E. A conceptual model of the conflict of aerospace defense systems and of aerospace attack means. Systems of Control, Communication and Security, 2025, no. 3, pp. 1-34 (in Russian). DOI: 10.24412/2410-9916-2025-3-001-034.
26. Storchak М. Giperzvukovoe dostizhenie Kitaya [China's Hypersonic Achievement]. Delovoi zhurnal "Invest-Forsait", 25.06.2020. Available at: https://www.if24.ru/giperzvukovoe-dostizhenie-kitaya/?ysclid= mcg2b45e5p87871281 (accessed 28 June 2025) (in Russian).
27. Kitai vpervie primenil giperzvukovuyu raketu DF-17 v khode uchenii u Taivanya [China used the DF-17 hypersonic missile for the first time during exercises off Taiwan]. Rossiiskaya gazeta, 03.07.2022. Available at: https://rg.ru/2022/08/03/global-times-kitaj-vpervye-primenil-giperzvukovuiu-raketu-df-17-v-hode-uchenij-u-tajvania.html (accessed 20 June 2025) (in Russian).
28. Gady F. China Tests New Weapon Capable of Breaching US Missile Defense Systems (Beijing has successfully tested a new hypersonic missile). The Diplomat. Available at: https://thediplomat.com/2016/04/china-tests-new-weapon-capable-of-breaching-u-s-missile-defense-systems (accessed 05 January 2025) (in English).
29. Ryabov К. Giperzvukovoi raketnii kompleks DF-17 i yego potentsial [The DF-17 hypersonic missile system and its potential]. Voennoe obozrenie. Available at: https://topwar.ru/199951-giperzvukovoj-raketnyj-kompleks-df-17-i-ego-potencial.html?ysclid=mcg1vje83x497548572 (accessed 28 June 2025) (in Russian).
30. Katz D. Introducing the Ballistic Missile Defense Ship. Aviation Week & Space Technology. Available at: https://aviationweek.com/defense/introducing-ballistic-missile-defense-ship (accessed 05 January 2025).
31. Kristensen H., Korda M., Reynolds E. Chinese nuclear forces. Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, 2023, no. 79 (2), pp. 108-133. DOI: 10.1080/00963402.2023.2178713.
32. The Military Balance 2023. The International Institute for Strategic Studies, 2023, London, Taylor & Francis Publ., 15.02.2021. р. 576. DOI: 10.4324/9781003400226.
33. Jericho. Wikipedia. Available at: https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jericho (accessed 23 December 2025).
34. Jericho 2. Missile Threat. Available at: https://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/jericho-2 (accessed 07 January 2025).
35. Agni-II. Missile Threat. Available at: https://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/agni-2 (accessed 10 January 2025).
36. Agni-II. Military. Available at: https://military-history.fandom.com/wiki/Agni-II (accessed 10 January 2025).
37. India Agni-2 Missile Fails Test. Missile Threat. Available at: https://missilethreat.csis.org/india-agni-2-missile-fails-test (accessed 10 January 2025).
38. Gady F. India Test Fires Nuclear Capable Medium-Range Ballistic Missile. The Diplomat. Available at: https://thediplomat.com/2018/02/india-test-fires-nuclear-capable-medium-range-ballistic-missile (accessed 15 January 2025).
39. Agni-II. Missile Threat. Available at: http://www.missilethreat.com/missilesoftheworld/id.9/missile_detail.asp (accessed 20 April 2026).
40. Hwasong-7 (Nodong 1). Missile Threat. Available at: https://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/no-dong (accessed 10 January 2025).
41. Hwasong-7. Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hwasong-7 (accessed 12 January 2025).
42. Taepodong-1. Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taepodong-1 (accessed 12 January 2025).
43. Taepodong-1. Missile Threat. Available at: https://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/taepodong-1 (accessed 12 January 2025).
44. Raketa Shahab-3 [The Shahab-3 Missile]. Novosti aviatsii i kosmonavtiki. Available at: https://avianews.info/raketa-shahab-3 (accessed 15 June 2025) (in Russian).
45. Shahab-3. Wikipedia. Available at: https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Shahab-3 (accessed 15 June 2025).
46. Ballisticheskie raketi Irana na zhidkom toplive [Iran's liquid-fueled ballistic missiles]. Voennaya misl i voennoe delo za rubezhom. Available at: https://invoen.ru/arsenali/ballistitsheskie-krilatie-raketi-nazevnjgo-bazirovanija/ ballistitsheskie-raketi-irana-tshast-3 (accessed 15 June 2025) (in Russian).
47. Vildanov М., Anufriev А. Razrabotka v Irane ballisticheskikh raket srednei dalnosti [Iran's development of intermediate-range ballistic missiles]. Fact Military. Available at: https://factmil.com/publ/strana/iran/razrabotka_v_irane_ ballisticheskikh_raket_srednej_dalnosti_2010/93-1-0-253 (accessed 15 June 2025) (in Russian).
48. Ekspert Sivkov raskril, v chem osobennost zapushchennoi po Izrailyu raketi "Sejil" [Expert Sivkov revealed what is the peculiarity of the "Sajil" missile launched at Israel]. Rossiiskaya gazeta. Available at: https://rg.ru/2025/06/20/ekspert-sivkov-raskryl-v-chem-osobennost-zapushchennoj-po-izrailiu-rakety-sadzhil.html (accessed 25 June 2025) (in Russian).
49. Poltori tonni vozmezdiya: chto izvestno ob iranskoi rakete "Sejil", napugavshei Izrail [One and a half tons of retribution: what is known about the Iranian "Sajil" missile that scared Israel]. MKRU. Available at: https://www.mk.ru/politics/2025/06/19/poltory-tonny-vozmezdiya-chto-izvestno-ob-iranskoy-rakete-sadzhil-napugavshey-izrail.html (accessed 25 June 2025) (in Russian).
50. Khorramshahr. Missile Threat. Available at: https://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/khorramshahr (accessed 30 June 2025).
51. Khorramshahr (missile). Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khorramshahr_(missile) (accessed 30 June 2025).
52. Yadernii arsenal Pakistana segodnya [Pakistan's nuclear arsenal today]. Voennoe obozrenie. Available at: https://topwar.ru/226599-jadernyj-arsenal-pakistana-segodnja.html (accessed 15 December 2024) (in Russian).
53. Ghauri (Hatf 5). Missile Threat. Available at: https://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/hatf-5 (accessed 5 December 2024).
54. Shaheen 2 (Hatf 6). Missile Threat. Available at: https://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/hatf-6 (accessed 20 December 2024).
55. Konkurent "Oreshniku" ili pustishka: chto izvestno о novoi rakete USA Dark Eagle [A competitor to the "Oreshnik" or a dummy: what is known about the new US "Dark Eagle" missile]. Informatsionnoe agentstvo URA.RU. Available at: https://ura.news/news/1052856400?ysclid=m5trdmn4bx265077534 (accessed 10 January 2025) (in Russian).
56. Kazachenko A. Chto za giperzvukovuyu raketu Dark Eagle protiv Rissii sozdayut v USA? [What kind of hypersonic missile is the Dark Eagle being created in the USA against Russia and China?]. AIF.RU. Available at: https://aif.ru/ society/army/chto_za_giperzvukovuyu_raketu_dark_eagle_protiv_rossii_i_kitaya_ sozdayut_v_ssha (accessed 10 January 2025) (in Russian).
57. Nakhimov S. Amerikanskii raketnii kompleks LRHW Dark Eagle s giperzvukovimi tverdotopliznimi dvukhstupenchattimi ballisticheskimi raketami srednei dalnosti [The American LRHW Dark Eagle missile system with hypersonic solid-fuel two-stage medium-range ballistic missiles]. Voennii AMALNEWS. Available at: https://amalantra.ru/raketnyy-kompleks-lrhw-dark-eagle. (accessed 29 December 2025) (in Russian).
58. Opitnii giperzvukovoi raketnii kompleks LRHW Dark Eagle peredan v voiska [The experienced LRHW Dark Eagle hypersonic missile system has been handed over to the troops]. Voennoe obozrenie. Available at: https://topwar.ru/187852-giperzvukovoj-raketnyj-kompleks-lrhw-dark-eagle-peredan-v-vojska.html (accessed 10 January 2025) (in Russian).
59. LRHW. Wikipedia. Available at: https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/LRHW (accessed 10 January 2025).
60. Defense News: dlya armii USA razrabativayutsya dve raketnie sistemi bolshoi dalnosti [Defense News: Two long-range missile systems are being developed for the US Army]. Overclockers.ru. Available at: https://overclockers.ru/blog/vokrugsveta/show/127737/Defense-News-dlya-armii-SShA-razrabatyvajutsya-dve-raketnye-sistemy-bol-shoj-dal-nosti (accessed 10 January 2025) (in Russian).
61. "Srednie" raketi protiv "sredinnoi" derzhavi: vozmozhnosti USA po razvertivaniyu nestrategicheskogo raketnogo oruzhiya ["Medium" missiles against a "medium" power: US capabilities for deploying non-strategic missile weapons]. Rossiiskii sovet po mezhdunarodnim delam. Available at: https://russiancouncil.ru/ analytics-and-comments/analytics/srednie-rakety-protiv-sredinnoy-derzhavy-vozmozhnosti-ssha-po-razvyertyvaniyu-nestrategicheskogo-rak/?sphrase_id= 171682346&ysclid=m5tqjtc0bh685372565 (accessed 10 January 2025) (in Russian).
62. USA gotovyat ispitaniya raketnogo kompleksa srednei dalnosvi Dark Eagle, otvetom na kotorii yavlyartsya MRBM "Oreshnik" [The United States is preparing tests of the Dark Eagle medium-range missile system, the answer to which is the "Oreshnik" missile defense system]. Reporter. Available at: https://topcor.ru/54452-ssha-gotovjat-ispytanija-raketnogo-kompleksa-srednej-dalnosti-dark-eagle-otvetom-na-kotoryj-javljaetsja-brsd-oreshnik.html (accessed 10 January 2025) (in Russian).
63. Semenov S. Razrabotka USA giperzvukovoi raketi srednei dalnosti Strategic Fires Missile. Chast' 1 [The US development of the Strategic Fires Missile, a medium-range hypersonic missile. Part 1]. Aftershock. Available at: https://aftershock.news/?q=node/990247&full&ysclid=m5tq74asp32903071 (accessed 11 January 2025) (in Russian).
64. Oruzhie i tekhnologii Rossii. Enciklopediya XXI vek. Tom 1. Strategicheskie yadernye sily [Weapons and technologies of Russia. Encyclopedia of the XXI century. Vol. 1. Strategic Nuclear Forces]. Moscow, "Oruzhie i tehnologii" Publ., 2000, 511 p. (in Russian).
This article is distributed under a license Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
The metadata of the article is distributed under a license CC0 1.0 Universal









