Ukraine develops balloon-launched EW-resistant “DART” missile

Ukraine has developed a new type of missile system, known as DART, which is launched from stratospheric balloons and is designed to be resistant to electronic warfare (EW), according to Ukrainian developers.

Engineers from the Centre of Innovative Technologies Programme say the system uses an air-launch method in which the missile is carried to an altitude of between 12 and 18 kilometres by special balloons before being deployed, Caliber.Az reports via Ukrainian media. 

The launch process is controlled using servo drives designed to ensure stable flight conditions and precise activation, the developers said.

The DART missile itself is compact, measuring 1.84 metres in length and weighing around 13 kilograms without its payload. The warhead weight varies depending on the mission, ranging from 3.5 to 10 kilograms, and can include graphite-based submunitions.

According to its designers, the system’s key feature is its claimed resistance to electronic warfare interference. They say the missile initially relies on a navigation system but disables guidance at around 6 kilometres altitude during its final descent phase.

At that point, a solid-fuel engine activates, and the missile continues toward its target without further course corrections. Developers claim that because the system no longer relies on active electronic signals during this phase, it becomes immune to jamming.

By Sabina Mammadli