Following the FP5 large cruise missile, Ukraine has tested the new FP7 TBM, which is unignorably identical to the 5V55 air defence missile in terms of form.
Ukrainian firm Fire Point has added another missile to its FP line of missiles as FP7 tactical ballistic missile (TBM) with the test, which was previously unveiled alongside the far larger FP9 short-range ballistic missile (SRBM).
FP7's specifications were given on a brochure as:
-200 km Range
-1500 m/s Maximum Speed
-150 kg Warhead
-14 m CEP
Interestingly, the brochure states that FP7 can be adapted for 'air defence applications' which sits oddly alongside the word 'ballistic missile'. However, the missile's design seen from the test footage and some of the specifications coupled with this mention of a potential points out to a detail hiding in plain sight, regarding the development.
The matching form, Ukraine having used the missiles onboard its own S-300 and more importantly the mention of air defence adaptation point out to FP7 being based on the 5V55 long-range air defence missile in external design. This adaptation likely invovles a different flight control for ballistic trajectory, different warhead, but common body and propulsion section.
This possible connection to an air defence missile also raises questions regarding sharp maneouvreing capabilities at midcourse or terminal stage, which would help with evasion.
Adapting air defence missiles for surface strikes was previously tried by Russia with S-300 air defence systems. Due to little work involved on the missiles used for surface-to-surface launch, the attempts mostly went down the drain.
Author: Kaan Azman
Editor:Özgür Ekşi
