Ukrainian company Center of Innovative Technologies Program has developed the DART missile, a new weapon system designed to be launched from high-altitude aerostats. This was reported by Militarnyi.
According to the publication, the missile is intended to be deployed from altitudes between 12 and 18 kilometers using specialized stratospheric aerostats. Dedicated servo systems ensure launch precision and flight stability under various release conditions.
The DART missile is 1.84 meters long and weighs 13 kilograms. Depending on the configuration, its warhead can weigh between 3.5 and 10 kilograms and includes graphite-based destructive elements.
Developers say the missile relies on a navigation system only during the initial phase of flight. After descending to an altitude of about six kilometers, the navigation system is completely switched off and the solid-fuel engine is activated, allowing the missile to continue toward its target on a fixed trajectory.
According to the developers, this approach makes the missile immune to enemy electronic warfare interference during the terminal phase of flight.
“The aerostats themselves are not our development but a partner solution,” the company said.
The DART missile is expected to undergo codification procedures with Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense in the near future.
The developers also plan to use the DART platform as the basis for future ballistic missile and surface-to-air missile projects.
