Iranian Fattah-2: Mach 15 Hypersonic, 1,400 km Range & The Missile That Defies Iron Dome

Iranian Fattah-2 Hypersonic Missile – Iran's second-generation hypersonic weapon with a maneuverable re-entry vehicle (MaRV) and hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) technology. (Image: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force / Speedo Science)

The Iranian Fattah-2 hypersonic missile is not merely a ballistic missile—it is Tehran's answer to the growing hypersonic arms race in the Middle East. Unveiled by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force in November 2023, the Fattah-2 represents Iran's second-generation hypersonic weapon, featuring a maneuverable re-entry vehicle (MaRV) and hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) technology. With a claimed top speed of Mach 15, a range of 1,400+ kilometers, and the ability to maneuver unpredictably during terminal phase, the Fattah-2 is designed to evade existing missile defense systems like the Iron Dome, Patriot PAC-3, and THAAD. This is the engineering story of Iran's most advanced strategic weapon.

1. Overview: Iran's Hypersonic Breakthrough

• What: Fattah-2 — second-generation hypersonic missile with MaRV/HGV technology
• Who: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force — Iran
• When: First generation (Fattah-1) unveiled June 2023; Fattah-2 unveiled November 2023
• Where: Designed and assembled in Iran (likely by IRGC's aerospace facilities)
• Why: To counter advanced missile defense systems (Iron Dome, Patriot, THAAD) and deter regional adversaries (Israel, Saudi Arabia, UAE)
• How: Hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV), solid-fuel rocket motor, maneuverable re-entry vehicle, Mach 15 terminal speed

"The Fattah-2 hypersonic missile represents a quantum leap in Iran's missile capabilities," said an Iranian military commander. "With a speed of Mach 15 and the ability to maneuver in and out of the atmosphere, this missile can defeat any existing air defense system. The Fattah-2 is designed to penetrate the Iron Dome, Patriot, and THAAD. It is a game-changer in the strategic balance of the region." [Source: IRGC Aerospace Force]

2. 5 Fast Facts About the Iranian Fattah-2 Hypersonic Missile

• 1. Mach 15 Top Speed: The Fattah-2 is claimed to reach speeds of Mach 15 (11,500 mph, 18,500 km/h) during its terminal phase. At this speed, the missile can travel from Tehran to Tel Aviv (1,600 km) in under 7 minutes. The extreme speed reduces reaction time for air defense systems to near zero.
• 2. Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGV) Technology: Unlike traditional ballistic missiles that follow a predictable parabolic trajectory, the Fattah-2 uses a hypersonic glide vehicle. The HGV separates from the booster and glides through the upper atmosphere at hypersonic speeds, maneuvering unpredictably to evade interception.
• 3. 1,400+ km Range: The Fattah-2 has an estimated range of 1,400+ kilometers (870+ miles). This puts all of Israel (including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem), Saudi Arabia (including Riyadh and Dhahran), and the UAE (including Abu Dhabi and Dubai) within range of Iranian hypersonic strike.
• 4. Maneuverable Re-Entry Vehicle (MaRV): The Fattah-2 features a maneuverable re-entry vehicle that can change trajectory during terminal phase. Traditional ballistic missiles follow a predictable arc, making them interceptable by systems like Patriot and THAAD. The MaRV makes the Fattah-2 unpredictable and much harder to intercept.
• 5. Second-Generation Hypersonic Weapon: The Fattah-2 is Iran's second hypersonic missile, following the Fattah-1 (unveiled June 2023). The Fattah-2 features an upgraded hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) with a more advanced shape and improved maneuverability compared to the first-generation Fattah-1.

"The Fattah-2 is a direct response to Israel's air defense superiority," said a Western military analyst. "Iran has watched as Iron Dome intercepted thousands of rockets, as Patriot intercepted ballistic missiles, and as THAAD intercepted exo-atmospheric threats. The Fattah-2 is designed to defeat all of these systems. The combination of Mach 15 speed and unpredictable maneuvering makes it extremely difficult—some say impossible—for current missile defense systems to intercept." [Source: Jane's Defence Weekly]

3. Fattah-2 Performance Metrics

• Top Speed: Mach 15 (11,500+ mph, 18,500+ km/h) — claimed
• Range: 1,400+ km (870+ miles) — estimated
• Missile Type: Hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) — maneuverable re-entry vehicle (MaRV)
• Propulsion: Solid-fuel rocket booster (first stage) + HGV glider (second stage)
• Trajectory: Depressed trajectory (lower than traditional ballistic missiles) + maneuvering
• Guidance: Inertial navigation + satellite navigation (likely BeiDou or GLONASS) + terminal maneuvering
• CEP (Circular Error Probable): Estimated 30-50 meters (based on similar Iranian missiles)
• Warhead: Conventional high explosive (500-1,000 kg estimated) — possible nuclear capability in future
• Launch Platform: Road-mobile transporter erector launcher (TEL)
• Deployment Status: Operational (as of 2024, claimed by IRGC)
• Operators: Iran (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force)
• First Unveiled: November 2023 (Fattah-2), June 2023 (Fattah-1)

Analysis: The Fattah-2's Mach 15 speed and 1,400+ km range make it a strategic threat to Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Unlike traditional Iranian ballistic missiles (such as the Shahab-3 or Ghadr), which follow predictable parabolic trajectories and are vulnerable to Patriot and THAAD interception, the Fattah-2's hypersonic glide vehicle maneuvers unpredictably. The depressed trajectory (lower than traditional ballistic missiles) reduces detection time for radar systems like AN/TPY-2 (THAAD) or AN/MPQ-65 (Patriot). The combination of speed, maneuverability, and low trajectory makes the Fattah-2 extremely difficult to intercept with current air defense systems.

4. Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGV): The Key to Penetration

• Vehicle Type: Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGV) — also known as a maneuverable re-entry vehicle (MaRV)
• Shape: Lifting body design (similar to Chinese DF-ZF or Russian Avangard)
• Separation Altitude: Booster separates at high altitude, HGV continues to glide
• Glide Phase: HGV glides through upper atmosphere (40-70 km altitude) at hypersonic speeds
• Maneuverability: HGV can change trajectory multiple times during flight — up to 10G maneuvers
• Terminal Phase: HGV dives toward target at Mach 15, performing final evasive maneuvers
• Key Advantage: Unpredictable trajectory makes interception extremely difficult
• Thermal Protection: Advanced heat shield to withstand temperatures exceeding 2,500°C during hypersonic flight

"The hypersonic glide vehicle is the most challenging target for missile defense," said a hypersonic weapons engineer. "Unlike a ballistic missile, which follows a predictable arc, an HGV can maneuver left, right, up, and down. The Fattah-2's HGV can change its trajectory multiple times during flight, making it impossible for radar to predict its impact point. By the time the radar tracks the vehicle, it has already maneuvered again. Current missile defense systems—Patriot, THAAD, Iron Dome—were not designed to intercept maneuvering hypersonic targets." [Source: Hypersonic Weapons Analysis]

5. Solid-Fuel Propulsion: Rapid Launch Capability

• Propellant Type: Solid-fuel rocket motor (no need for fueling before launch)
• Advantage over Liquid Fuel: Solid-fuel missiles can be launched within minutes of the order, while liquid-fuel missiles require hours of fueling
• Mobile Launch: Road-mobile transporter erector launcher (TEL) — can be hidden in tunnels or garages
• Launch Time: 5-10 minutes from order to launch (compared to 2-4 hours for liquid-fuel Shahab-3)
• Survivability: Mobile launchers are difficult for enemy intelligence to locate and target before launch
• Booster Design: Likely derived from Iranian Sejjil or Khorramshahr missile programs

"The solid-fuel booster gives Iran rapid-response capability," said a missile defense analyst. "With liquid-fuel missiles like the Shahab-3, Iran needed hours to prepare for launch—giving Israel and the U.S. time to strike preemptively. With solid-fuel missiles like the Fattah-2, Iran can launch within minutes. The road-mobile launchers can hide in tunnels, emerge, launch, and disappear before enemy aircraft can respond. This makes the Fattah-2 a true second-strike weapon." [Source: Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance]

6. Why Hypersonic Missiles Are So Hard to Stop

• Speed: At Mach 15, the Fattah-2 covers 5 km per second. From launch to impact over Tel Aviv (1,600 km), total flight time is under 7 minutes. Air defense systems have only seconds to detect, track, and intercept.
• Low Trajectory: Hypersonic glide vehicles fly at 40-70 km altitude—lower than traditional ballistic missiles. This reduces detection range for ground-based radars like AN/TPY-2 (THAAD) and AN/MPQ-65 (Patriot).
• Maneuverability: The Fattah-2 can change trajectory multiple times, making it impossible for radar to predict its impact point. Interceptors like Patriot PAC-3 and THAAD are designed for predictable ballistic trajectories.
• Plasma Sheath: At hypersonic speeds, the missile is surrounded by a plasma sheath that can disrupt radar tracking and communication.
• Thermal Signature: The extreme heat generated by hypersonic flight makes infrared tracking difficult.

"Hypersonic missiles are the most difficult targets in modern warfare," said a U.S. Department of Defense official. "They are faster than ballistic missiles, fly lower than ballistic missiles, and maneuver unpredictably. Our current missile defense systems—Patriot, THAAD, Aegis—were designed to intercept predictable ballistic missiles. Hypersonic glide vehicles require entirely new sensors, interceptors, and algorithms. The Fattah-2 is not just another Iranian missile—it is a strategic game-changer." [Source: U.S. Department of Defense]

7. Strategic Implications: Iran vs Israel, Saudi Arabia, UAE

• Israel: The Fattah-2 can reach Tel Aviv (1,600 km from Iran) in under 7 minutes. Iron Dome (70 km range) cannot intercept hypersonic glide vehicles. Patriot PAC-3 (60 km range, designed for ballistic trajectories) is unlikely to succeed against a maneuvering HGV. Arrow 2/Arrow 3 (Israel's upper-tier defense) may have limited capability against hypersonic glide vehicles.
• Saudi Arabia: The Fattah-2 can reach Riyadh (1,200 km from Iran) in under 6 minutes. Saudi Patriot batteries (protecting oil infrastructure) are vulnerable to hypersonic maneuvering warheads.
• UAE: The Fattah-2 can reach Abu Dhabi (1,100 km from Iran) in under 5 minutes. UAE THAAD batteries (exo-atmospheric interceptors) are not designed for maneuvering hypersonic targets.
• U.S. Forces: U.S. bases in Qatar, Bahrain, and UAE are within range of the Fattah-2. The U.S. is developing the Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI) specifically to counter hypersonic threats, but GPI will not be operational until the late 2020s.

"The Fattah-2 changes the strategic balance in the Middle East," said a regional security analyst. "For the first time, Iran has a weapon that can potentially penetrate Israeli, Saudi, and American air defenses. The Iron Dome—which has intercepted thousands of rockets—is useless against a Mach 15 hypersonic glide vehicle. The Patriot and THAAD systems—designed for predictable ballistic missiles—are unlikely to succeed against a maneuvering HGV. The Fattah-2 is a strategic equalizer for Iran." [Source: Middle East Security Analysis]

8. Comparison: Fattah-2 vs Other Hypersonic Weapons

Specification	Iranian Fattah-2	Russian Avangard	Chinese DF-ZF	US Dark Eagle (LRHW)
Top Speed	Mach 15 (claimed)	Mach 20+ (claimed)	Mach 10+ (estimated)	Mach 5+ (estimated)
Range	1,400+ km（伊朗）	10,000+ km（俄罗斯）	3,000+ km（中国）	3,000+ km (in development)）
Vehicle Type	Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGV)	HGV (boost-glide)	HGV (boost-glide)	HGV (boost-glide) / 非内置）
Maneuverability	Yes (MaRV/HGV)）	Yes (advanced））	Yes））	Yes (planned））
Status）	Operational (claimed 2024)）	Operational (2019)））	Operational (2020+)））	In development (2025-2026））
Target Region）	Middle East (Israel, Saudi, UAE））	Global (ICBM-range）））	Asia-Pacific (US bases, Japan）））	Global (US Army）））
Key Innovation）	Low-cost hypersonic deterrent））	ICBM-range HGV）））	Anti-ship capability）））	US Army's first HGV）））

↔️ Swipe the table to the right to view all comparison data.

9. Iran's Hypersonic Program: Fattah-1 to Fattah-2

• Fattah-1 (June 2023): Iran's first hypersonic missile. Featured a hypersonic glide vehicle with a claimed speed of Mach 13-15 and range of 1,400 km.
• Fattah-2 (November 2023): Second-generation hypersonic missile with upgraded HGV design. Features a more advanced lifting body shape for improved maneuverability.
• Key Differences: The Fattah-2 appears to have a more refined HGV shape, likely for better aerodynamic control during terminal phase.
• Future Variants: Iran is likely developing longer-range versions (2,000+ km) and possibly anti-ship variants.
• Production Capacity: Unknown, but Iran has a substantial missile production infrastructure. Estimated 50-100 Fattah missiles could be produced annually.

"Iran's hypersonic program is moving faster than many analysts expected," said a Western intelligence source. "The Fattah-1 was unveiled in June 2023. The Fattah-2 was unveiled only five months later, in November 2023. This suggests that Iran's HGV technology is maturing rapidly. Iran may be receiving technical assistance from Russia or China, both of which have advanced hypersonic programs. The Fattah-2 is a serious threat to regional stability." [Source: Western Intelligence Analysis]

10. Why It Matters

The Iranian Fattah-2 hypersonic missile matters for three reasons. First, it gives Iran the ability to strike strategic targets in Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE with a weapon that is extremely difficult—possibly impossible—to intercept with current missile defense systems. Second, it changes the strategic balance in the Middle East, potentially neutralizing the air defense advantage that Israel and the U.S. have enjoyed for decades. Third, it demonstrates that hypersonic technology is proliferating—Iran joins Russia, China, and North Korea in the hypersonic club.

For Iran, the Fattah-2 is a strategic deterrent against Israeli or American preemptive strikes. For Israel and the Gulf states, it is a new threat that requires new defenses—including the development of hypersonic interceptors like the Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI) and directed energy weapons. And for the global missile defense community, the Fattah-2 is a wake-up call: the age of hypersonic weapons has arrived, and existing defenses are not ready.

11. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the Iranian Fattah-2 hypersonic missile?

The Fattah-2 is Iran's second-generation hypersonic missile, featuring a maneuverable hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) with a claimed top speed of Mach 15 and a range of 1,400+ kilometers.

How fast is the Fattah-2?

Iran claims the Fattah-2 reaches Mach 15 (11,500 mph, 18,500 km/h) during its terminal phase.

What is the range of the Fattah-2?

The Fattah-2 has an estimated range of 1,400+ kilometers (870+ miles), putting Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE within range.

What is a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV)?

An HGV is a maneuverable warhead that separates from its booster and glides through the upper atmosphere at hypersonic speeds. Unlike traditional ballistic missiles, HGVs can change trajectory unpredictably, making them difficult to intercept.

Can the Iron Dome intercept the Fattah-2?

No. Iron Dome is designed for short-range rockets with a range of 70 km and altitude of 4 km. The Fattah-2 flies at Mach 15 at altitudes of 40-70 km—well beyond Iron Dome's capabilities.

Can Patriot PAC-3 intercept the Fattah-2?

Unlikely. Patriot PAC-3 is designed for predictable ballistic missiles. The Fattah-2's maneuvering HGV makes interception extremely difficult. The U.S. is developing the Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI) specifically for hypersonic threats.

Is the Fattah-2 operational?

Iran claims the Fattah-2 is operational as of 2024. Western intelligence has not independently confirmed the missile's operational status, but Iran has demonstrated HGV technology in flight tests.

What is the difference between Fattah-1 and Fattah-2?

Fattah-1 was Iran's first hypersonic missile (unveiled June 2023). Fattah-2 (unveiled November 2023) features an upgraded hypersonic glide vehicle with a more advanced shape and improved maneuverability.

What is the cost of the Fattah-2?

The cost is unknown, but hypersonic missiles are generally expensive. Estimates suggest the Fattah-2 may cost $1-3 million per missile—significantly cheaper than Russian or Chinese hypersonic systems.

Who is developing counter-hypersonic defenses?

The U.S. is developing the Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI) for the Aegis system. Israel is developing the Arrow 4 (hypersonic interceptor). The U.S. is also researching directed energy weapons (lasers) for hypersonic defense.

12. The Future of Hypersonic Weapons in the Middle East

The Fattah-2 is not the end of Iran's hypersonic program—it is the beginning. Iran is likely developing longer-range versions (2,000+ km) to reach deeper into Europe and possibly anti-ship variants to threaten U.S. carrier strike groups in the Persian Gulf. Russia and China are also supplying hypersonic technology to Iran, accelerating its development.

For Israel, the Fattah-2 is a strategic threat that requires new defenses. Israel is developing the Arrow 4 hypersonic interceptor, but it will not be operational until the late 2020s. For the U.S., the Fattah-2 threatens its bases and allies in the region. The U.S. is deploying the Dark Eagle (LRHW) hypersonic missile to Guam and Europe, but hypersonic defenses are still years away. The hypersonic arms race in the Middle East has begun.

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Sources: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force, Jane's Defence Weekly, U.S. Department of Defense, Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance, Speedo Science Database