posted on Aug, 7 2018 @ 10:00 PM
a reply to:
anzha
Looks like a big IRBM 2nd stage/warhead. Reminds me of the top of a Pershing II, which makes sense, as MARV designs are probably the starting point
for all hypersonic boost-glide vehicles. I'm sure the Russians have more than a few MARV or IRBM upper stage designs to dust off and use as the basis
for a "quick and dirty" hypersonic weapon, which this clearly is.
Though the fact that it's clearly just a big rocket makes me think that it probably isn't as maneneuverable as any of the waveriders or boost gliders.
It almost looks like an air-dropped skhval torpedo, and could well be just as much of a one-trick pony.
EDIT: I also think it's interesting that it's being slung from a Mig-31, which is an overwhelmingly anti-aircraft oriented platform. Part of me
wonders if this thing is anything more than an AIR-2 Genie on major steroids, which would mesh well with my "Skhval with wings" hunch.
edit on
7-8-2018 by Barnalby because: (no reason given)