The Russian aviation missile system 9-A-7660 "Dagger" was tested in the Syrian Arab Republic. Earlier it became known that long-range Tu-22M3 bombers equipped with X-32 cruise missiles arrived there.
Russian planes conducted launches of "Daggers" in Syria, Izvestia reported . A new separate MiG-31K regiment equipped with Daggers was raised for exercises over the Mediterranean Sea.
In addition to the MiGs, there were anti-submarine Il-38 in the sky, as well as Su-30SM and Su-35 fighters. The planes refueled in the air.
The exercises are aimed at testing the actions of the Navy and Aerospace Forces to protect Russia's national interests in the World Ocean.
MiG-31K with a "Dagger" flew over the Mediterranean Sea / ©iz
9-A-7660 "Dagger" is a new aviation missile system, which is sometimes positioned as "hypersonic". Its missile can hit both stationary objects and surface ships, including destroyers, cruisers and aircraft carriers.
The maximum speed of the rocket is estimated at M = 10-12. The mass of the warhead is approximately 500 kilograms. According to a RIA Novosti source in the military-industrial complex, the Dagger has a range of about 1,500 kilometers.
The only carrier of the missile is the MiG-31 interceptor fighter, upgraded to the MiG-31K version. According to some reports, after modernization, the aircraft loses the ability to use standard types of weapons for other versions of the MiG-31: ventral launchers for R-33 / R-37 missiles are dismantled.
In the future, the Tu-22M3 long-range bomber may receive a new missile, as well as, possibly, other combat aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces.
Recall that recently the Ministry of Defense showed photos on which you can see the Tu-22M3 deployed in Syria, armed with X-32 cruise missiles. The rocket was created as a replacement for the Soviet X-22. Despite the external similarity, the novelty has wider possibilities.
Tu-22M3 with X-32 cruise missile
Image source: BMPD
According to information from open sources, the X-32 is capable of hitting targets at a range of up to 1000 kilometers. The flight speed is from four to 5.4 thousand kilometers per hour. The X-32 was equipped with increased capabilities to break through the American missile defense. The multi-frequency radar in the homing head was made resistant to interference from electronic warfare systems. In the final section, the missile attacks the target in a steep dive.
Earlier it became known that Russia is developing a new long-range cruise missile X-BD. Among the carriers, the Tu-160 strategic bomber of the new construction was also called . The first such car was lifted into the sky on January 12.
