Photo: militarnyi
Ukraine has begun using Flamingo cruise missiles against Russian energy infrastructure and oil refineries, The Economist reports. The article says the missiles are built using refurbished Soviet turbofan engines, with carbon-fibre fuselages that can be manufactured in about six hours.
The Flamingo is described as much faster than typical drones, flying at roughly 50 metres above ground, with a range exceeding 3,000 km and a warhead weighing about 1,150 kg. Manufacturer Fire Point is currently producing 2–3 missiles per day, with output expected to rise to seven per day this month.
If the FP-5 proves able to penetrate Russian air defences, the report adds, it could take Ukraine’s “DeepStrike” campaign to a new level by using shifting approach vectors to evade interception.
