Iran rains down hypersonic missile Fattah on Israel: How powerful is it?

The recent attacks featured the Fattah-1, which Iranian media describes as a hypersonic missile capable of traveling at Mach 5 (approximately 3,800 mph or 6,100 km/h).

Iran, on the night of October 1, unleashed its largest attack on Israel to date, firing 180 ballistic missiles, including its Fattah-2, most of which were reportedly intercepted by anti-missile defenses operated by Israel, the United States, and Jordan. This assault escalates an already tense situation in the Middle East and surpasses a similar strike that occurred in April.

Iran's hypersonic missile capabilities 

Iran possesses thousands of ballistic and cruise missiles with varying ranges. According to a 2021 report by the Missile Threat Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), US Air Force General Kenneth McKenzie had stated in 2023 that Iran has "over 3,000" ballistic missiles. The recent attacks featured the Fattah-1, which Iranian media describes as a hypersonic missile capable of traveling at Mach 5 (approximately 3,800 mph or 6,100 km/h).

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What are Hypersonic missiles?

Hypersonic missiles are classified as projectiles that travel at speeds of at least Mach 5, which translates to five times the speed of sound - approximately 1.7 kilometers (1.05 miles) per second or 6,174 kilometers (3,836 miles) per hour.

While some ballistic missiles can reach these speeds, hypersonic missiles are remarkable for their ability to maneuver unpredictably after re-entering the Earth's atmosphere. This makes them considerably harder to detect with radar systems and more challenging to intercept with existing defense technologies.

Iran's hypersonic missile, the Fattah, reportedly has a range of 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) and can reach speeds of up to Mach 15 (5.1 kilometers or 3.2 miles per second) before striking its target.

Iran's Fattah hypersonic missile on display at the unveiling ceremony in Tehran on June 6, 2023. (Image: AFP file photo)

The Fattah missile, developed by Iran, features a movable secondary nozzle and solid propellants for enhanced maneuverability in and out of the atmosphere. Senior commanders from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) assert that no existing missile defense system can counter the Fattah, which they claim represents a "generational leap" in missile technology, aimed at bolstering Iran's deterrence capabilities.

The Fattah-2, unleashed in the October 1 Iran offensive, is powered by a spherical solid-fuel engine and has a re-entry vehicle with hydrazine fuel for acceleration and maneuverability, allowing for precise steering during re-entry.

After the October 1 attack, Iran's Revolutionary Guards claimed a 90 percent success rate for their projectiles but both Israel and the United States reported that their forces collaborated to intercept and shoot down the majority of the missiles launched by Iran.

Global adaption on hypersonic missiles

Numerous countries are actively developing hypersonic weapons to gain a military edge, though they encounter significant technical challenges. For instance, the extreme temperatures generated by atmospheric friction and the superheated particles surrounding the missile complicate radio communications.

So far, Russia and China have showcased a range of hypersonic weapons, with Russia being the only country confirmed to have used them in combat. The United States has conducted tests but lags behind its competitors. Iran's Fattah-1 missile boasts a range of 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) and can reach speeds up to Mach 15 (5.1 km or 3.2 miles per second). It features a movable secondary nozzle and solid propellants, enhancing its maneuverability and purportedly enabling it to evade missile defense systems.

West's 'skepticism' of Iran's hypersonic missiles

Iranian officials had, in 2023, downplayed Western skepticism regarding their hypersonic missile capabilities, asserting that true evidence of their effectiveness will emerge when these weapons are used. Following the Fattah missile's unveiling, the US had imposed additional sanctions targeting Iran's ballistic missile program.

Nevertheless, on the night of October 1, Iran launched a large-scale offensive on Israel. Israel, following the attack, has pledged to retaliate, underscoring that its response will occur at the "time and place of its choosing." Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the missile strike as a failure for Iran, asserting that the country would soon face significant consequences akin to those endured by its adversaries in Gaza, Lebanon, and other regions. "Whoever attacks us, we attack them," he stated.

In response, Iran has issued a stern warning, declaring that it will launch "crushing attacks" against Israel if the nation decides to retaliate.