Ukrainian modified Neptune missile receives homing system with thermal imaging
Ukraine’s Neptune rocket is once again in the spotlight. The War Zone writes about an interesting feature of the modernized version of the munition.
“Neptune is a Ukrainian anti-ship cruise missile system. The specialists managed to modify the missile to strike ground targets. The warhead weighed 350 kg and had a launch range of 280 km to 400 km. It is not known how the dimensions of the missile have changed and whether a new launcher had to be created.
The WarZone cites an anonymous Ukrainian source as saying that a modified version of the Neptune missile has been fitted with a thermal imaging homing system. It allows you to search for and capture targets using preloaded images.
This information emerged after the publication of satellite images of the Engels airfield in Russia, where Tu-95MS nuclear bombers are protected by car tires. Perhaps such a step will increase the protection of strategic aircraft by changing the thermal signature of targets.
The bombers will still not be completely safe, but the missile’s accuracy may be reduced. On the other hand, the Engels airfield is located 650 kilometers from Ukraine. It is possible that car tires are a defense against drones. Recently, kamikaze drones destroyed several Il-76 aircraft and one Tu-22M3 strategic bomber 600-700 km from the Ukrainian border.
