Russian Media Review: Five Highly Effective Weapons in the US-Israel-Iran Conflict

According to a report by Reference News Network on April 16, the Russian newspaper "Izvestia" reported on April 13 that combat lasers, new hypersonic weapons, tactical and cruise missiles, as well as cheap but deadly drones—these types of weaponry have been used by various parties during the U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict. Experts have particularly noted the upgraded U.S. "Tomahawk" missiles, the new PrSM precision strike missiles, and Iran's "Fattah"-2 hypersonic missiles. This article will introduce the aforementioned weapons used by the conflicting parties, as well as other effective and promising weapon development achievements.

The new "Tomahawk" is more stealthy

Images of two new improved "Tomahawk" cruise missiles have recently appeared in the media. In a video showcasing U.S. Navy operations, a destroyer can be seen launching a cruise missile with a special dark coating. Experts believe this may be an improved version of the BGM-109 "Tomahawk" missile, which uses a radar-absorbing coating similar to that of the more advanced Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM).

Additionally, a "Tomahawk" missile with a swept-wing design was spotted over Iran—this shape helps reduce the missile's radar detection probability. It is likely the same model missile that has been dubbed the "stealth Tomahawk."

Military expert Yuri Lyamin pointed out: "All of this indicates that the U.S. is actively improving its main sea-based cruise missiles." He explained that the primary goal of the improvements is to make them harder to detect by air defense systems.

PrSM enters combat

The U.S. also used the PrSM precision strike missile, launched from the HIMARS high mobility artillery rocket system, for the first time, with a range of at least 500 kilometers. Reports indicate that the U.S. aims to extend its range to 650 kilometers, and potentially even to 1000 kilometers in the future.

PrSM is designed to replace the U.S. Army's Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), which has a range of about 300 kilometers.

Lyamin believes: "In the future, it may become the main missile of the U.S. Army. We should study the weapons of potential adversaries as carefully as possible."

He noted that the U.S. has been using this missile since the beginning of the conflict. The PrSM was launched from Arab countries in the Gulf region, striking targets deep within Iran up to 400 kilometers.

"Iron Beam" makes its debut

Israel's "Iron Beam" laser air defense system made its debut.

An Israeli military spokesperson announced that the Israeli army used this latest air defense system for the first time in combat conditions to intercept missile attacks from Hezbollah in Lebanon. It uses laser beams to destroy land mines, shells, unguided rockets, and drones.

The system acts as a last line of defense, complementing the firepower of other air defense systems. The system itself is expensive, but the cost per shot is only a few shekels (1 shekel is approximately 0.33 USD). According to Israeli estimates, its use should be economically viable.

Lyamin assessed: "The current number of deployments of this system may not be large, and there is little known about its operational details."

"Fattah"-2 difficult to intercept

Iran has used the "Fattah"-2 cruise missile equipped with a hypersonic glide warhead to strike U.S. targets in the Middle East, but the missile's performance parameters and accurate test data are classified.

It is reported that the missile is equipped with a ramjet engine, with an estimated range of about 1400 kilometers. According to Iranian sources, the "Fattah"-2 is equipped with a hypersonic glider, with terminal speeds reaching 13 to 15 Mach.

Military expert Yuri Knutov told "Izvestia" that the combination of speed and maneuverability makes the "Fattah"-1 and its upgraded version "Fattah"-2 nearly impossible to intercept, not only against Israeli air defense systems but also against U.S. air defense systems.

He explained: "These missiles were only put into use in the last few weeks of the conflict, when earlier generations of munitions had been largely exhausted, and the consumption of U.S. and Israeli air defense systems was also quite severe. They proved their invulnerability."

"Shahed"-136 cheap and durable

The "workhorse" of this conflict is undoubtedly the "Shahed"-136 drone—it is equipped with a piston engine and is often referred to as a "lawnmower" due to its distinctive sound. Its performance is not outstanding: cruising speed of 150 to 170 kilometers per hour, flying altitude of 60 to 4000 meters. However, it fully leverages its main advantages: low cost, reliability, durability, and ease of maintenance and use.

Its powerful warhead (equipped with 40 to 50 kilograms of explosives) and a range of at least 1000 kilometers should not be underestimated.

Lyamin explained: "Iran often uses them to overload enemy air defense systems, forcing the opponent to expend expensive 'Patriot' and 'THAAD' missiles to shoot down cheap drones, and then strikes with ballistic missiles. The 'Shahed' has also excelled in strike missions, destroying more than one target."

This drone has become a classic among military drones. The Americans have even copied it, naming it LUCAS (Low-Cost Unmanned Combat Attack System), and have used it against Iran.

Lyamin pointed out: "From the relevant wreckage released online, it appears that the Americans have made improvements to this drone, likely enhancing satellite communication control capabilities through 'Starlink'."

Efficient equipment like the "Shahed"-136, which is cheap and structurally simple, is another unexpected aspect of this conflict. It shows that extremely expensive high-tech weapons do not always effectively counter the simplest means of attack. (Translated by Tong Shiqun)