Ukrainian Cruise Missile Development and Deployment

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It would be fair to say this offensive is having an effect, but let us stick to news and facts. I am pro UK, but we don’t do politics here.
 
A grab bag of links related to Ukraine cruise missiles and drones.


Guide To Ukraine’s Long Range Attack Drones

UPDATED Originally posted Jan 24. Russia’s use of long range drones, principally the Iranian Shahed type, against Ukraine is well documented. Ukraine too is increasingly using this category of drone.This article will focus on the Ukrainian OWA-UAVs which can strike deep into Russia…Read More >….
www.hisutton.com

www.trenchart.us

Ukraine's New Big Boom FP-2 Drone Is Blowing Up Russian Bases In the Most Important Sectors

The FP-2 packs a 230-pound warhead
www.trenchart.us www.trenchart.us

aerospaceglobalnews.com

Ukraine’s FP-5 Flamingo cruise missile uses junk Soviet engines

Ukraine’s FP-5 Flamingo missile, built with recycled Soviet AI-25 engines, offers low-cost, high-speed production for strikes against Russia.
aerospaceglobalnews.com aerospaceglobalnews.com

militarnyi-com.translate.goog

Нові бойові частини і власне виробництво двигунів для «Фламінго» — та інші підсумки пресконференції Fire Point

Під час MSPO 2025 українська компанія Fire Point провела пресконференцію, на якій розповіла про досягнення та подальші плани розвитку
militarnyi-com.translate.goog militarnyi-com.translate.goog
 
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Josh_TN said:
It would be fair to say this offensive is having an effect, but let us stick to news and facts. I am pro UK, but we don’t do politics here.
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I don't see what being pro-United Kingdom has to do with things, other than that they are the main bastard (per Solovyov). None of this seems terribly political though, unless you mean in the Clausewitzian sense that war is inherently political? But not in the party-partisan political way that the rules seem to be concerned with? But I am not a moderator.
 
whatismoo said:
I don't see what being pro-United Kingdom has to do with things, other than that they are the main bastard (per Solovyov). None of this seems terribly political though, unless you mean in the Clausewitzian sense that war is inherently political? But not in the party-partisan political way that the rules seem to be concerned with? But I am not a moderator.
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I think by "pro UK" he meant "pro Ukraine", not "pro United Kingdom". :D
 
Josh_TN said:
Probably nonexistent. I am guessing GPS/INS guidance only as a cost saving measure.
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It's quite clear that the Ukrainians want an inexpensive cruise-missile that can be mass-produced that is good enough to do the job, if the INS/GPS guidance-system is sufficiently accurate and the FP-5 is carrying a 2,500lb warhead that combination is good enough for most targets (It doesn't need to be a bunker-buster).​
 
Josh_TN said:
Probably nonexistent. I am guessing GPS/INS guidance only as a cost saving measure. Though you could probably maintain a pretty low flight profile just with waypoints.
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I guess externally provided intelligence can give the altitudes along the flight path pretty well.
 
Those bulges were not visible on earlier images and the main body appears uniform diameter (ignoring lungs), whereas previously it was tapered. The new image seems to show a shorter missile too??

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Forest Green said:
My guess is actually that this version is based on the basic Neptune but with lung tanks, whereas the earlier photo showed a longer tapered missile. Very confusing.
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It's possible that they are trying several parralel approaches to increase missile range. "Neptun" development was just finished before conflict started, so the production missiles are likely made in different iterations.
 
Forest Green said:
Those bulges were not visible on earlier images and the main body appears uniform diameter (ignoring lungs), whereas previously it was tapered. The new image seems to show a shorter missile too??

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conformal tanks on the second one. I think the one with conformal tanks was what was first developed and is a different variant that stuck. But the one on the top is an actual comprehensive redesign of the neptune. I think both are in development
 
TWZ has an article about this new unusual Neptune variant:

New ‘Bulged’ Neptune Cruise Missile Variant Emerges In Ukraine​

The new Neptune variant looks intended to slot in range-wise between older versions and the super-sized Long Neptune derivative.
Ukraine has unveiled a new version of its Neptune cruise missile, which appears to have added fuel tank ‘bulges’ for increased range. The missile looks to be distinct from the extended-range Long Neptune derivative, imagery of which first emerged earlier this year. Originally designed as an anti-ship weapon, the Neptune family has now become a key means for Ukraine to launch strikes at targets on land inside Russian territory.

Denys Shmyhal, Ukraine’s defense minister, shared a picture of the new Neptune variant, seen at the top of this story, on social media today in relation to a recent visit by Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene and other Western dignitaries. Other domestically developed weapon systems that Ukrainian authorities have showcased before, including the Peklo ‘missile drone’ and a Magura-7 uncrewed surface vessel (USV) armed with R-73 anti-air missiles, were also put on display for the delegation.

magura-7-r-73.jpg
The R-73-armed Magura-7 USV that was also shown to Prime Minister Ruginiene and the other Western officials during their recent visit to Ukraine. Denys Shmyhal/Ukrainian Ministry of Defense


The baseline Neptune, also designated the R-360, is primarily an anti-ship weapon, but has a basic secondary land attack capability. It is itself derived from the Soviet-era Kh-35, variants of which remain in service in Russia and elsewhere globally. Current production Neptunes can be readily distinguished from Kh-35s by the shape of their main fins, which have a distinctive stepped or ‘cranked’ sweep to them. The missile, which is powered by a small turbofan jet engine, has a stated maximum range of 190 miles (300 kilometers), according to the developer, the Luch Design Bureau.​
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Flamingo apparently shot down by Russians.

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ComradeVortex said:
Flamingo apparently shot down by Russians.
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According to Russian sources it was engaged by a BUK and wasn't flying particularly high or quick.

Looking at the structure visible on the pictures, I'm surprised this epoxy-fiber looking thing withstood the forces upon launch.
 
Nicknick said:
Glass fibre materials can be very strong, when choosing the right fibres.
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I am aware, also depending on how you position the weave and other factors. It still wouldn't be my material of choice for a large body cruise missile. Certain parts of it, maybe, but not the entire body.
 
A cylinder would also have a lot of longitudinal strength during launch stress. It has be reported that the shell is indeed carbon fiber not epoxy, though I cannot comment on the accuracy of that.
 
EmoBirb said:
Looking at the structure visible on the pictures, I'm surprised this epoxy-fiber looking thing withstood the forces upon launch.
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Not that big anyway. as it accelerated using rocket booster and to a rather modest subsonic speed. 5 seconds of rocket boosting to 500 km/h only inflict like 2.8 G of acceleration.
 
Josh_TN said:
A cylinder would also have a lot of longitudinal strength during launch stress. It has be reported that the shell is indeed carbon fiber not epoxy, though I cannot comment on the accuracy of that.
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Guess it is carbon fibre plus epoxy, you allways need a bond...
 

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