The Russian Aerospace Forces have taken delivery of the Kinzhal (Dagger) – an air-launched, precision-guided ballistic missile designed to engage ground-based and seaborne targets. Also referred to by its air-to-ground missile code of Kh-47M2, the Kinzhal has been shown being carried by, and launched from, a modified MiG-31BM supersonic interceptor aircraft.
According to Russian industry sources, the Kinzhal is based on the 9M723-1F variant of the 9M723-1 missile – as used by the 9K720 Iskander-M short-range road-mobile ballistic missile system – and modified for air-launch without major changes in its architecture.
The Kinzhal, like its 9M723-1F parent, is a solid propellant motor propelled ballistic missile with a non-separating warhead.