Ukraine’s intelligence reports Russian Filin missile-drone with a 1,200-km range

Ukraine’s military intelligence service said Russia began using the new Filin missile-drone in late summer. It is launched from a ground installation rather than from an aircraft.

The intelligence service reports a declared range of up to 1,200 km and a maximum speed of 800 km/h. The system has variants carrying 50-kg and 100-kg warheads.

Filin is described as a development of earlier drones using jet propulsion and carrying a smaller warhead than conventional cruise missiles. Ukrainian intelligence says such systems could reach rear areas farther than current jet-powered Shahed variants.

Design and launch system

The missile has a carbon- and glass-fiber composite fuselage measuring 3.5 metres, with a wingspan of 3 metres. Some components are produced using 3D printing. A ground launcher fires it with the help of a solid-fuel booster.

Filin can fly at extremely low altitude or reach up to 6 km. According to Ukrainian intelligence, its R500 engine is made by Russia’s Reynolds company; the same engine was previously identified in the S-71K Kover and S-71M Monochrome air-launched missiles.

Navigation and foreign components

The missile was developed by NPO Molniya, part of the Tactical Missiles Corporation, according to Ukrainian intelligence. Its onboard equipment is made by PLAZ, a Russian company also involved in producing Harpiya drones.

Guidance uses a Chinese-made inertial navigation system and the 16-channel Kometa system. An analysis by Ukrainian intelligence found a higher share of Chinese components than in several other Russian missiles and drones.

Ukraine seeks countermeasures

Defence Minister Yevhenii Khmara said Ukraine was working on interceptor drones, aircraft, electronic-warfare systems and other air-defence solutions. Sources in Ukraine’s Defence Ministry told the BBC that his remarks about jet-powered drones travelling at 800 km/h referred to Filin.

Khmara also said a unit had used five Bars interceptor drones to destroy five aerial targets. He described aviation as one of the most effective tools against jet-powered unmanned aircraft.