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Fixed Fins
Fins that are not intended to move immediately prior to or after the employment of the munition.
Analyst Note:
This image shows the launch of an Iranian Paveh surface-to-surface cruise missile in Iraq. The munition was fired by Iranian proxy forces and reportedly targeting Israel. Some sources indicate the Paveh has been renamed the ‘Jamal-10’, whilst others claim it is being locally produced in Iraq by Iranian proxy forces. With an estimated 75% of the missile’s components coming from outside Iran, distributed production is certainly possible. The missile has two large wings located forward of the munition’s midpoint, three smaller fins towards the tail, and four actuated fins around the tail. The initial launch is accomplished with a solid-propellant rocket motor, which gives way to a turbo jet flight motor mounted on top of the missile, towards the tail. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
Highlighted are four GBU-31 Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) guided air-delivered bombs loaded onto the belly of a U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft. The GBU-31-series consists of a 2,000-pound-class bomb (Mk 84, BLU-109, or BLU-109A/B) and a guidance kit comprising a tail unit with four articulating fins and a guidance control unit with inertial navigation system (INS) and global positioning system (GPS) functions. The GBU-31 munitions seen here are built around the BLU-109, a penetrator munition with a solid nose and a thicker, one-piece body which flares slightly at the base. It has no body welds; the heavy steel base plate is held in place by an equally robust threaded steel closure ring. The BLU-109 is painted olive drab with a single yellow band towards the nose. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image shows a screenshot from one of the videos released by the Kuwait Civil Aviation showing a one-way attack (OWA) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) striking the Kuwait International Airport. The munition’s distinctive delta-wing configuration and general size, shape, and manner of flight are consistent with the Shahed series of OWA UAVs. The related entry shows a Mado MD550 engine recovered following this strike, a model used to power the Shahed-136 series, enabling a more precise identification. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image shows an AGM-114R2 Hellfire II missile. The AGM-114R2 is an enhanced version of the the AGM-114R multi-role missile, which is designed to engage a wide variety of targets. The Hellfire R-series missile are equipped with a multi-purpose warhead that can engage armoured or unarmoured vehicles on land or sea, as well as personnel in the open or in buildings. Reports indicate that the AGM-114R2 features improvements to its guidance software and tracking to increase accuracy against moving targets, as well as incorporating an adjustable height-of-burst (HOB) capability which allows it to detonate at a pre-determined height above the ground. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This munition, believed to be of Israeli origin, has been documented at a number of strike sites in Lebanon, Gaza, and Iran. Although distinctive remnants permit its tentative identification, the lack of a confirmed model name means this munition has been assigned a Temporary Munitions Identifier (TMID) by ARES. This appears in the Tentative Model field of the OSMP so that all records of this munition in the database can be linked under one temporary name. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image shows a Lancet-series one-way attack (OWA) UAV. It strongly resembles the Z-51E made by Zala Aerospace, a Russian manufacturer, although this cannot be confirmed from the available image. The Lancet series of drones can carry a variety of different warheads, including blast, fragmentation, thermobaric, and High Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT). (ARES)
Analyst Note:
Positive identification of the model of air-delivered bomb to which the UMPK kit is fitted cannot be made from the source imagery. Based on the size of the UMPK and historical use in the area, it is likely an OFAB-250-270 model. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image shows the remains of a Russian Geran-5 drone. These drones are reported to be roughly 6 meters long and have a wingspan of up to 5.5 meters. They are fitted with a warhead weighing approximately 90 kg and have a range of about 1,000 km. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
Photos released by the Israeli Air Force show an F-16 aircraft carrying two 2,000-pound-class air-delivered bombs fitted with Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) guidance kits. Whilst the bomb body is visually similar to a MK 84 general-purpose aerial bomb, the marking scheme is distinctly different. The combination of yellow and red bands most likely indicates both a high explosive and incendiary payload. This is consistent with the marking scheme applied to specialised U.S. munitions intended for use against chemical and biological weapons targets. The best known of these is the BLU-119/B CrashPAD ('Prompt Agent Defeat'), which uses a MK 84 bomb body and contains 170 lbs of PBX-109 and 420 lbs of white phosphorus. It is not clear if agent defeat weapons were ever exported to Israel, or if a local analogue was developed. Capabilities of this type often remain classified. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image shows a Low-Cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS). The LUCAS one-way attack UAV is a U.S.-made, cost-effective ‘kamikaze drone’. LUCAS munitions can connect to one another via a mesh network, allowing multiple LUCAS drones to communicate in flight. The white square object connected to the munition by a cable appears to be a Starlink antenna, consistent with reported communication capabilities. Elon Musk has claimed that LUCAS operates only via Starshield, a Starlink-derived satellite network intended for government use. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image shows the remnants of a PAC-3 Cost Reduction Initiative (CRI) missile. The PAC-3 family of missiles are hit-to-kill interceptors that defend against incoming ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, aircraft, and other targets primarily by using kinetic impact. However, it is important to note that these missiles contain a high explosive fragmentation (HE-FRAG) “lethality enhancer” warhead. These warheads are much smaller than what would normally be expected on a surface-to-air missile of this size, but still present a hazard if it fails to function as designed. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
The Iranian 358 surface-to-air missile is reportedly a ‘loitering munition’, designed for engaging drones and rotary-wing aircraft. It employs a combination of ground-based and onboard thermal cameras to scan a designated area, and then uses an infrared imaging seeker in the nose to locate and lock onto targets. The missile carries a 10 kg fragmentation warhead, which is functioned by a 360-degree laser proximity sensor. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This munition, despite being adapated from the design of a 120 mm mortar projectile and closely resembling such, is actually a small air-delivered bomb intended to be dropped by UAV. The manufacturer clearly states that the munition should not be fired from a mortar. Additional data from the manufacturer states that it uses a UT M18 “special impact fuze”. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
The UMPK guidance package is a ‘bolt-on’ kit that can be fitted to unguided air-delivered bombs to convert them to guided munitions. The UMPK kit also greatly extends the range of the munition to which it is fitted, allowing aircraft to strike from beyond the range of many air-defence systems. Currently only Russia manufacturers and uses these kits. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image shows a russian air-delivered bomb fitted with a UMPK guidance kit. Not enough of the bomb is visible to positively identify the model, but it is most likely an OFAB-250-270 based on what can be seen of the tail section. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image shows a Mk 104 Dual Thrust Rocket Motor (DTRM), the second-stage rocket motor for the SM-2, SM-3 Blk I, and SM-6 missiles. Based on the strakes or fins attached to this Mk 104, it can be determined that it was part of an SM-3 Blk I series missile. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image provides a close-up view of the bottom of the MK 136 Third Stage Rocket Motor section from a RIM-161 Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) Blk I guided missile. The integral warm gas/cold gas attitude control system, including its four venturis, is visible. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This image shows the MK 136 Third Stage Rocket Motor of a U.S. RIM-161 Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) Blk I interceptor missile. The SM-3 Blk I variants share the same propulsion sections, but have differences in the kill vehicle section. The SM-3 Blk II variants are substantially different, including new, larger-diameter propulsion sections. SM-3 missiles have a booster, dual-thrust rocket motor, third-stage rocket motor, and an altitude control section in the kill vehicle. (ARES)
Analyst Note:
This Russian air-delivered cluster bomb is marked with a threatening message directed at the French people: «Français! Changer la politique du président dans le pays, sinon ces bombes vont changer le lieu d'atterrissage!» (“French people! Change the president’s policy in the country, otherwise these bombs will change their landing site!”). (ARES)
