What is Fattah, the hypersonic missile 'six minutes from Tel Aviv'
Hypersonic missiles move at five times the speed of sound and are manoeuvrable
2' min read
2' min read
Iranian state TV announced that Tehran has launched hypersonic missiles against Israel. The Fattah missiles, hypersonic intermediate-range ballistic missiles unveiled in 2023, 'successfully penetrated the Israeli regime's defences', the TV station said on the sixth day of the war. According to Iranian state media, Fattah was used to strike strategic positions inside Israel, with reports of damage and fires in Tel Aviv and the central districts.
This is not the first time Iran has used Fattah-1 missiles. Prior to the attacks in this crisis between the two countries, Fattah-1 missiles were fired at Jerusalem during the Iranian attack on Israel on 1 October 2024.
The Fattah-1 is Iran's first medium-range hypersonic ballistic missile, developed by the Revolutionary Guards. Hypersonic missiles move at five times the speed of sound and are manoeuvrable, making them difficult for defence systems and radar to hit.- The Fattah-1 is, according to Tehran, also designed to deliver nuclear warheads on target.
Experts say that what distinguishes this Iranian missile from other missiles designed by Iran is its manoeuvrability. It has a moving nozzle that allows it to follow irregular trajectories, making it difficult for even sophisticated Israeli systems to intercept.
Known for its high speed, accuracy and ability to change trajectory during flight, the missile is 12 metres long and has a range of up to 1,400 kilometres. The Fattah-1 runs on solid fuel. According to a report by Iran Watch, it can carry 200 kilograms of explosives.
