Ukraine unveils new long-range Neptune missile for the first time
Photo: Ukraine showed the new Long Neptune missile (facebook com GeneralStaff)
Ukraine has officially unveiled the long-range modification of the R-360 Neptune cruise missile, known as the Long Neptune, for the first time. This is a missile capable of striking targets at a distance of up to 1,000 kilometers, according to Defense Express.
Although its development became known back in November 2023, no images had been released until now. For the first time, the missile appeared in a video published on Independence Day on the official account of the state portal Zbroia (Weapons).
The missile is demonstrated together with other samples of Ukrainian weaponry, although it is not directly labeled in the video.
Defense Express notes that the Long Neptune can be identified by its characteristic X-shaped foldable wings.
The footage of missile launches in the video is archival and dates back to the Neptune system tests in 2018–2020.
According to preliminary estimates, the length of the new missile exceeds 6 meters (without the booster), which is one and a half meters longer than the first version of the R-360. The central part of the body has also been increased in diameter to 50 cm compared to 38 cm in the basic modification.
The new missile is not only longer but also bulkier, which is likely related to the need for a larger fuel volume.
The official characteristics of the missile are not disclosed at the moment. It is only known that it is intended for striking ground targets.
About the Long Neptune missile
Back in December 2023, information appeared that new missiles, known as Long Neptunes, were being created in Ukraine. The development was classified.
In March of this year, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that the newest armament of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, namely the Ukrainian Long Neptune missile, had successfully passed tests and can reach its target at distances of up to 1,000 kilometers.
The Long Neptune (Neptune-MD) is a modified version of the Ukrainian R-360 Neptune anti-ship cruise missile, which in turn had also been upgraded to strike targets at greater distances.
This system was developed by the Luch Design Bureau to destroy enemy warships.
The R-360 Neptune missile, weighing 870 kilograms, has a warhead weighing 150 kilograms. Its launch range is up to 280 kilometers.
