A Shrunken Arsenal: The Alarming Decline of U.S. Munitions

[Gene2memE]

The Kinzahl is flying Mach 10

Maybe.

But, that's maximum speed not sustained speed. And it can only obtain that maximum speed with some very specific launch and re-entry conditions. Physics is a harsh mistress.

The actual maximum speed is more likely somewhere around Mach 8 to Mach 9. Top speeds of Kinzahl missiles tracked hitting Ukraine are topping out at just under Mach 6.

Chinese assessments of the Kinzhal published in late 2023 and early 2024 were not flattering. The were specifically critical of its sustained speed on re-entry, lack of glide performance and its maneuvering performance being limited to minor lateral corrections. They really only spoke favourably of its range and CEP capabilities.

and is the most sophisticated warhead delivery system known today

It's just not. In terms of delivery capabilities (speed, range, ability to hit different targets) It's not even as sophisticated as some 1970s ICBM systems.

For instance, a MIRV'd Minuteman III can hit targets from 10x the distance, it can hit more targets and it can hit targets more widely spread.

 

[7thKeeper]

Huh, what? (Barbarian checks)
Apparently, Russian sources say that the Russians accidentally did it themselves.

Hard to say which is more embarrassing for the Russians.

They sure are. Even Russian milbloggers are calling BS on that as they've started to point out that according to the MoD, the majority of their air losses have been friendly fire and they're not buying that.

 

[7thKeeper]

Maybe.

But, that's maximum speed not sustained speed. And it can only obtain that maximum speed with some very specific launch and re-entry conditions. Physics is a harsh mistress.

The actual maximum speed is more likely somewhere around Mach 8 to Mach 9. Top speeds of Kinzahl missiles tracked hitting Ukraine are topping out at just under Mach 6.

Chinese assessments of the Kinzhal published in late 2023 and early 2024 were not flattering. The were specifically critical of its sustained speed on re-entry, lack of glide performance and its maneuvering performance being limited to minor lateral corrections. They really only spoke favourably of its range and CEP capabilities.



It's just not. In terms of delivery capabilities (speed, range, ability to hit different targets) It's not even as sophisticated as some 1970s ICBM systems.

For instance, a MIRV'd Minuteman III can hit targets from 10x the distance, it can hit

Yeah, essentially the Chinese told Russia to stop calling it a hypersonic missile since it's incapable of maneuvers at those speeds.