In late summer, Russian forces began using a new cruise missile designated as the "Filin" against Ukraine. The Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine published detailed information about this weapon on the specialized portal War&Sanctions, including an interactive 3D model, a list of components, and a breakdown of the electronic component base.
Design Features and Flight Performance
The new Filin cruise missile, developed by JSC NPO Molniya, represents a continuation of the Russian defense industry's trend toward low-cost, jet-propelled, ground-launched air attack weapons. The missile features a 3.5-meter composite fuselage with a 3-meter wingspan, and certain structural elements are manufactured using 3D printing technology. The declared maximum speed reaches 800 kilometers per hour, with a range of up to 1,200 kilometers.
The missile is capable of flying at ultra-low altitudes up to six kilometers. Configurations include warhead options weighing 50 and 100 kilograms. Launching is performed from a ground-based launcher using a solid-propellant booster to accelerate the weapon to cruising speed.
Electronic Systems and Foreign Components
Detailed analysis of the onboard equipment revealed that its production is handled by LLC PLAZ, a company also involved in manufacturing the Harpia series of drones. The Filin's internal blocks share a similar layout and labeling with those drones. Guidance is managed by a Chinese-made inertial navigation system combined with a 16-channel Kometa anti-jamming navigation module.
The electronic component base shows a prevalence of foreign semiconductors and microcircuits, with American components accounting for approximately 35% and Chinese components around 22%. Meanwhile, the Filin's powerplant is of Russian origin: the missile uses an R500 jet engine produced by LLC Reynolds, which was previously identified in the S-71K Kover air-launched cruise missile.
Significance of the New Weapon
The deployment of this new type of jet-powered cruise missile highlights the Russian military-industrial complex's effort to diversify strike weapons and reduce production costs through platform standardization and extensive use of commercial electronic components. The publication of detailed intelligence data enables international experts to track microelectronics supply chains and assess the technological features of new weaponry entering the combat zone.
