Fattah-1 | |
---|---|
Type | Hypersonic medium-range ballistic missile (alleged) |
Place of origin | Iran |
Service history | |
Used by | Iran |
Wars | 2024 Iran–Israel conflict |
Production history | |
Designer | Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps |
Manufacturer | Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps |
Produced | 2022 |
Specifications | |
Warhead | Conventional Nuclear (allegedly)[1] |
Warhead weight | 350–450 kg (770–990 lb)[2] |
Propellant | Solid fuel engine |
Operational range | 1,400 km (870 mi)[3] |
Maximum speed | Mach 13–15 |
Fattah-1 (Persian: فتاح, lit. 'conqueror') is an Iranian medium-range ballistic missile developed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and unveiled in June 2023. It is Iran's first hypersonic ballistic missile. According to Iran, its high maneuverability and speed helps it to evade missile defense systems.[4][5][6][7] In November 2023, Iran unveiled a newer version of the missile, Fattah-2.[8][9]
Its name, meaning "conqueror" or "bringer of victory", "victor" in Arabic, is in reference to Al-Fattāḥ, was selected by the Supreme Leader of Iran.[not verified in body]
The missile has been reported to have the capability to carry nuclear warheads should Iran further pursue its nuclear program.[10]
According to Iran, it can maneuver in and out of the atmosphere, and is capable of bypassing missile defenses.[11] Its successor, Fattah-2 is a hypersonic glide vehicle and offers substantially more maneuverability compared to a ballistic warhead travelling in a more predictable arc pattern.[12][13]
On 10 November 2022, during the 11th anniversary of the death of Hassan Tehrani Moghaddam, known as the "father of Iranian missiles", Iran announced it has built an advanced hypersonic ballistic missile calling it a "major generational leap". Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, IRGC Aerospace Force commander, said the missile has a high velocity and can maneuver below and above the Earth's atmosphere. He said "it can breach all the systems of anti-missile defence" and added that he believed it would take decades before a system capable of intercepting it is developed.[14][15] The missile was unveiled in a ceremony on 6 June 2023.[6]
Iran may have used Fattah-1 missiles in its strikes against Israel on 1 October 2024, according to an analysis by The New York Times.[16] According to Dr. Jeffrey Lewis, researchers from the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS) have identified Fattah-1 debris from both the 1 October strikes as well as the April 2024 Iranian strikes against Israel.[17]
Khamenei made his latest comments while attending an exhibition showcasing the "latest achievements" of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Aerospace Force, including the Fattah 2, a new version of what is said to be Iran's first hypersonic missile.