On the 20th anniversary of the Ukrainian Air Force, the service has released a groundbreaking video showcasing its debut use of Storm Shadow/SCALP cruise missiles from a Su-24 aircraft. This historic footage, which premiered on the Air Force’s official YouTube channel, highlights a pivotal moment in Ukraine’s military advancement. The video captures the precise launch of these advanced missiles from an altitude of approximately 500 meters. Noteworthy is the fact that the Su-24 aircraft did not engage in evasive maneuvers post-launch, indicating the missiles were fired from a strategically safe distance, well away from the front lines. Before this release, public footage of Storm Shadow/SCALP missiles had been limited to manufacturer MBDA’s early 2000s videos. Despite their extensive operational history in conflicts such as Iraq, Libya, and Syria, this footage marks the first time these missiles have been documented in combat scenarios involving the Ukrainian Air Force.
The Storm Shadow/SCALP cruise missiles, provided by the United Kingdom and delivered to Ukraine in May 2023, have proven to be a formidable asset. They have been instrumental in targeting significant Russian assets, including the Black Sea Fleet headquarters in Sevastopol and a submarine. Their introduction has significantly bolstered Ukraine’s defensive and offensive capabilities. Initially, the UK had restricted the use of these long-range missiles to Ukrainian territory to avoid escalating the conflict. However, a policy shift in July 2024, has allowed Ukraine to target military sites within Russia, provided these actions comply with international humanitarian law. This policy change has been met with strong condemnation from Moscow, which has labeled the move as “irresponsible” and warned of possible retaliatory measures. This new capability underscores a strategic evolution in Ukraine’s defense posture and signals a significant development in the ongoing conflict.
The Storm Shadow, also known as SCALP-EG in France, is a sophisticated Franco-British air-launched cruise missile that represents a significant advancement in long-range precision strike capabilities. Developed collaboratively by Matra and British Aerospace since 1994 and now manufactured by MBDA, the Storm Shadow has become a key asset for several air forces around the world. The Storm Shadow missile is designed for maximum impact and precision. Weighing approximately 1,300 kilograms (2,900 pounds), it carries a 450-kilogram (990-pound) conventional warhead. With a maximum diameter of 48 centimeters (19 inches) and a wingspan of 3 meters (120 inches), its compact yet formidable design ensures effective deployment from various aircraft platforms. The missile is propelled by a Microturbo TRI 60-30 turbojet engine, reaching speeds of Mach 0.8 and achieving a range of about 560 kilometers (300 nautical miles or 350 miles).
The missile’s BROACH warhead is a key component of its effectiveness. It features an initial penetrating charge designed to breach soil or bunker defenses, followed by a variable delay fuze that detonates the main warhead. This dual-stage approach allows the Storm Shadow to target a wide range of strategic assets, including command and control centers, airfields, ports, power stations, ammunition storage facilities, surface ships, submarines in port, and bridges. The Storm Shadow operates as a fire-and-forget weapon. Once programmed before launch, it follows a semi-autonomous flight path guided by GPS and terrain mapping to reach the target area. As it nears the target, the missile climbs to increase its field of view and enhance target identification. The nose cone is jettisoned to reveal a high-resolution thermographic camera that uses infrared homing to confirm the target. If the missile cannot identify the target or if there is a high risk of collateral damage, it is programmed to fly to a predetermined crash point.
