Storm Shadow Missile

News: As Russia continued its assaults on Ukraine amid uncertainty over the upcoming Donald Trump–Vladimir Putin summit, Kyiv launched a counterattack using its Storm Shadow missiles.

About Storm Shadow Missile

• The Storm Shadow is Anglo-French, long-range cruise missile developed by MBDA (a defence manufacturer form France).
• It is also called the SCALP missile. 
• It is an air-launched precision strike weapon designed to destroy hardened and high-value targets such as bunkers, command centres, and ammunition depots.
• Features: 
  • It can be launched from aircraft such as fighter jets.
  • They are powered by a Microturbo TRI 60-30 turbojet engine, enabling them to reach speeds of up to Mach 0.95.
  • It is equipped with a multi-stage BROACH (Bomb Royal Ordnance Augmented Charge) warhead, designed for maximum penetration.
  • As the missile nears its target, it uses GPS and infrared guidance for precise targeting.
  • It follows a semi-autonomous flight path, flying low to avoid radar and then rising to identify the target. A thermographic camera confirms the target before the missile dives to strike.
  • In situations where the missile cannot locate its target, it is programmed to divert to a crash point to prevent collateral damage.
  • Range and Speed: The missile has a maximum range of around 250 km and travels at nearly the speed of sound, making it suitable for deep-strike missions.
  • The nose-mounted camera identifies the target before detonating its high-explosive warhead with pinpoint accuracy.
  • Warhead: Equipped with a 450 kg high-explosive warhead, it is capable of penetrating fortified military structures and underground storage facilities.
  • Operational Strategy: It is often deployed after waves of cheaper drones to exhaust enemy air defences before the Storm Shadow strikes precise targets.