Context:
According to a statement from the Russian Defence Ministry, Ukrainian aircraft allegedly used Storm Shadow missiles, supplied by Britain, to target two industrial sites in the city of Luhansk, which is under Russian control in eastern Ukraine.
Relevance:
GS III: Science and Technology
Dimensions of the Article:
- About Storm Shadow Missile
- Features
About Storm Shadow Missile:
- The Storm Shadow missile, a collaborative effort between the UK and France, is a long-range cruise missile known for its stealth capabilities.
- It is designed to target valuable stationary assets such as airbases, radar installations, communications hubs, and port facilities.
- This versatile weapon system can be operated in extreme conditions and provides operators with a deep-strike capability, thanks to its advanced mission planning system.
- Notably, the Storm Shadow missile is actively deployed by the air forces of Egypt, India, Italy, Greece, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Features:
- Launch: The Storm Shadow missile is typically deployed from airborne platforms.
- Warhead and Range: It carries a 450kg conventional warhead and can reach targets at a range of up to 200 miles (300km).
- Size and Weight: With a weight of 1.3 tonnes and a length slightly exceeding 5 meters, the missile is compact and efficient.
- Guidance System: Equipped with fire-and-forget technology and fully autonomous guidance, it operates independently after launch.
- Infrared Seeker: The missile is fitted with a passive imaging infrared seeker, allowing it to detect targets based on their heat signatures.
- Pre-Programmed Mission: Prior to launch, the Storm Shadow missile is programmed with precise target information and the optimal path to reach the target.
- Low-Altitude Flight: After launch, the missile descends to a low altitude to avoid enemy radar detection. It then utilizes the infrared seeker to lock onto its intended target.
-Source: Indian Express
