Israel’s Iron Beam May Not Be Prepared For Iran’s New And Advanced Arsenal. It’s Called…

Israel's Iron Beam is being lauded for its advanced missile defense capabilities. Even though it may use latest defense technology, the Iron Beam is yet to face a challenge from weapons like Iran's Fattah-1 hypersonic missiles. Since Israel attacked Iran on October 26 in response to its ballistic missile attack, Tehran has been considering a retaliation. It could likely deploy the more advanced Fattah-1 hypersonic missile in any future attack.

How advanced is the Fattah-1 hypersonic missile?

Iran's Fattah-1, revealed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in June 2023, is seen as a significant upgrade to Iran's military capabilities. Experts describe the Fattah-1 as fast, precise, and highly maneuverable. It is said to be able to evade top-tier missile defense systems, including the Iron Dome.

Reports suggest that Iran utilised Fattah-1 missiles during the October 1 assault, with many successfully penetrating Israel's layered defenses and hitting targets with deadly accuracy.

Fattah-1 missile capabilities

Developed by the IRGC, the Fattah-1 can reach speeds between Mach 5 and Mach 15 and has a range of approximately 1,400 kilometers. It uses solid fuel for propulsion, which enables rapid acceleration and hypersonic performance. Unlike conventional ballistic missiles, the Fattah-1 can adjust its flight path in real time, making it particularly difficult for defense systems to intercept.

Can the Fattah-1 defeat the Iron Dome?

Given its high speed and maneuverability, the Fattah-1 poses a serious threat to all of Israel's air defense systems, including the Iron Beam, the Iron Dome and Arrow.

While the specific payload capacity of the Fattah-1 is not know, its design shows that it can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads weighing between 350 and 450 kg.

Also, the missile's advanced guidance system allows mid-flight adjustments, which enhances its accuracy in targeting high-value objects. This combination of features makes the Fattah-1 particularly challenging for defensive measures to counter effectively.