Threats

THREATS — Precision Guided Munitions & Swarms

Autonomous, long range and precision guided munitions are the devastating threats of any future confrontation between any rival forces.

Ballistic hypersonic missile

Ballistic hypersonic missile

Shahed 136 Kamikaze Drone

Shahed 136 Kamikaze Drone

Barrage of ballistic missiles

Barrage of ballistic missiles

Swarm of kamikaze drones

Swarm of kamikaze drones

Houthi rebels attacked Saudi oil infrastructure using Iranian drones in 2019.

Houthi rebels attacked Saudi oil infrastructure using Iranian drones in 2019.

• This guided munition with warheads of tens and hundreds of kilograms of TNT can be launched as a barrage or a swarm.

• They are characterized by the ability to accurately strike critical infrastructures.

Houthi rebels attacked Saudi oil infrastructure using Iranian drones in 2019.

Why this matters

Autonomous long-range precision guided munitions (ballistic hypersonic missiles and kamikaze drones) pose an existential threat to critical infrastructure. Learn about their capabilities, swarm tactics and mitigation approaches.

  • Overview of capabilities: ballistic hypersonic missiles deliver extreme speed and destructive kinetic energy.
  • Shahed-type kamikaze drones are low cost, hard to intercept in mass, and can inflict targeted damage to logistics and fuel sites.
  • Swarm and barrage tactics complicate air defense and increase the probability of mission success.