When experts saw the small munition, many hypothesized that they were bomblets often used in cluster bombs, which the Russians have been accused of using. However, it turns out that these smaller munitions were decoys that were used to evade air defense systems and trick heat-seeking missiles that shoot could down Russia’s missiles.
According to a report by the New York Times, each decoy was equipped with electronics that could produce radio signals to jam air defense radars so that it could not effectively locate the missiles. It also had a heat source so that the anti-missile efforts of the opposing forces would target the decoy instead of the Russian missile itself. It also allegedly has a spoofing function as it could produce a stronger radar signature that could trick radar operators that the decoys were actual missiles. Furthermore, an intelligence official interviewed by the New York Times also revealed that the decoys were only activated once they were targeted by air defense systems, revealing a mechanism that tells the missile it is targeted.
It seems that Russia had been using penetration aids (PENAIDs) typically used in intercontinental ballistic missiles for their short-range missiles, seemingly upgrading their Iskanders to be more precise and hit enemy targets effectively with the usage of their anti-ballistic missile defenses.
According to Michael Duitsman, a research associate for the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies who studies rocket propulsion and radiological security, he had previously wondered about the circular caps on the bottom of the Iskander missiles. He now alleges that these were covers for penetration aid tubes where the Iskander-M missiles could release six penetration aids/decoys during the terminal portion of its flight. He also tweeted that these Iskander-M PENAIDs acted as a decoy, a flare to spoof heat-seeking weapons, and electronically jamming radars and electronics – the same hypothesis as the American intelligence officer that spoke with the New York Times.
Overall, the Iskander-M missiles have certainly improved their countermeasure systems, which is probably why the Ukrainian Armed Forces had difficulty shooting these missiles down.
Ukraine only has one surface-to-air missile system that could shoot down these types of missiles: the S-300V, also known as the SA-12A Gladiator. However, the status of these SAMs is unknown. More so, the Iskander-M is known to be able to adjust its trajectory and can be maneuvered during flight, making its targeting by anti-missile systems more difficult. The use of this missile with decoys that can thwart efforts to shoot it down while in the terminal phase is probably why they have been so successful in their employment so far. It can be assumed that the U.S. will be interested in obtaining these decoys for dissection and study to develop countermeasures. The U.S. currently seeks to intercept missiles in their boost phase soon after takeoff before these decoys are deployed. The limited use of the Iskander-M in this conflict suggests the Russians have a very limited number in their inventory and may not be able to replace them quickly.
In contrast, back in 2019 the U.S. Navy hit the Shayrat airbase in Syria after it was used by aircraft using chemical munitions against civilians. Just two navy destroyers launched 59 Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles in a matter of minutes. Each of the Arleigh Burke-class Destroyers used in this raid can carry 49 Tomahawk missiles and the Navy has 69 of these Destroyers in active service. This would mean that the Navy has some 3,381 Tomahawks aboard its ships currently, not including reloads in storage.
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