Russia deploys 3D-printed cruise missiles with US electronics in Ukraine

New Missile Deployment

Ukraine's military intelligence agency GUR has released details regarding a new 3D-printed Russian cruise missile, named "Filin," which was first deployed around September and October of this year. The missile is capable of speeds up to 500 mph and possesses a range exceeding 700 miles.

Cost-Effective Warfare

The "Filin" missile is reportedly more affordable than traditional Kh-101 cruise missiles, which cost over $2,000,000 per launch. This cost efficiency raises concerns that Russia might employ these weapons in "missile spam" tactics against Kyiv, aiming to overwhelm air defenses. The ongoing conflict has driven both sides to seek more cost-efficient methods of warfare.

Technical Specifications and Components

The GUR states that the Filin features a carbon and fiberglass fuselage, incorporating some 3D-printed components. Its low cost is attributed to the use of commercially available parts from both domestic and foreign companies. It uses Russian-made engines, and many electronic components, such as the flight controller, inertial navigation systems, equipment controllers, and counter-jamming hardware, are sourced from Western nations and their allies. Specifically, 35 components are from the U.S., 22 from China, and 13 from Japan, Switzerland, Taiwan, and the Netherlands.

Impact on Air Defense

With a top speed of 500 mph, the Filin is significantly faster than previous drones like the Geran-5, which reached a maximum of 270 mph. While not as fast as modern fighter jets, this increased speed could complicate efforts for Ukrainian air defenses to intercept the missiles.