Ukrainian defense firm Fire Point has demonstrated a new short-range ballistic missile with an estimated range of 200 kilometers (124 miles).
The FP-7 is one of two ballistic systems currently under development by the company. The second, the FP-9, is designed to strike targets at distances of up to 855 kilometers (531 miles).
First unveiled at the MSPO international defense exhibition in Poland in September, the FP-7 reportedly reaches near-hypersonic speeds of approximately 1,500 meters (4,921 feet) per second, potentially complicating interception by Russian air and missile defense systems.
The FP-7 can reportedly climb to an altitude of 65 kilometers (40 miles) and sustain flight for up to 250 seconds.
Launched from a ground-based platform, the FP-7’s stated circular error probability of 14 meters (46 feet), combined with a 150-kilogram (331-pound) warhead, makes it well-suited to threaten Russian command-and-control nodes and logistical hubs.
Based on the S-400 Interceptor
The missile is based on the Soviet-designed 48N6 interceptor used in the S-400 air defense system operated by Russian forces, according to Ukrainian outlet Defense Express.
To accelerate development and reduce technical risk, the FP-7 retains the aerodynamic layout and overall configuration of the 48N6, but incorporates a composite airframe and entirely new internal components, including a redesigned propulsion system, the outlet reported.
Unlike the 48N6’s cold-launch method — where the main engine ignites after ejection from the launcher — the Ukrainian missile uses a hot-launch system, igniting its engine at launch to simplify the architecture.
Fire Point previously stated that qualification tests and codification are expected to be completed in 2025, paving the way for induction into the Ukrainian Armed Forces. However, it remains unclear what stage of development the missile has reached.
Flamingo Cruise missile
Meanwhile, the company’s inaugural Flamingo cruise missile has been deployed multiple times against Russian targets since its unveiling in August.
Ukraine recently used Flamingo missiles in a strike on the Votkinsk missile factory in Russia’s Udmurt Republic on February 21.
With a reported range of 3,000 kilometers (1,864 miles), the 6,000-kilogram (13,228-pound) missile — roughly four times the weight of the US Tomahawk — is said to carry a 1,000-kilogram (2,205-pound) warhead.
