How Ballistic Missiles Differ from Aeroballistic and Hypersonic Missiles

Russia uses ballistic Iskanders, aeroballistic Kinzhals, and Zircons—which Moscow calls hypersonic—against Ukraine. Ukraine, in turn, used American short-range ballistic missiles ATACMS, and in October 2026 reported the first combat use of its own short-range ballistic missile FP-7. This year, the U.S. for the first time used new ballistic missiles PrSM against Iran. Iran itself also primarily relies on ballistic armaments.

Belarus is also directly involved in the missile race. The Belarusian army received Iskander-M complexes, and in late 2025, Moscow and Minsk announced the deployment of the medium-range Oreshnik complex for combat duty in Belarus. Part of the electronics for them are produced in Belarus.

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Four Types of Missile Flight

Missiles differ not only in speed, but also in trajectory and flight altitude. Some ascend far beyond the dense layers of the atmosphere, while others travel most of their path much closer to Earth. This determines how early radars can detect them and how difficult it is to predict the impact location.

A ballistic missile after launch accelerates with its engine and ascends, and then travels a significant part of its path mainly under the force of gravity. Its trajectory resembles a high arc.

Intercontinental missiles ascend particularly high, capable of reaching altitudes of hundreds or even over a thousand kilometers. Shorter-range missiles usually fly lower.

This type includes Russian Iskander-M and Oreshnik, American PrSM and ATACMS, as well as many Iranian missiles. Some modern variants are capable of trajectory correction and maneuvering, but the fundamental principle of their flight remains ballistic.

An aeroballistic missile combines ballistic flight with the ability to use aerodynamic forces for maneuvering. It can travel along a lower trajectory than classic long-range ballistic missiles and change its flight direction, which complicates its interception.

However, the term does not necessarily mean the missile is launched from an aircraft.

The most famous example is the Russian Kinzhal, which is primarily launched from MiG-31K aircraft. The aircraft elevates the missile to a high altitude and imparts initial velocity, after which it continues its flight using its own engine. Russia calls the Kinzhal hypersonic, but in terms of flight principle, it is close to maneuverable ballistic missiles.

A hypersonic glide system first also ascends to a high altitude with the help of a launch vehicle. But after separation, a special glide vehicle does not follow a typical ballistic arc, but glides in the upper layers of the atmosphere, using aerodynamic lift. Typically, such a flight occurs at an altitude of approximately 30 to 80 kilometers.

The glide vehicle does not have its own propulsion engine, but is capable of changing its direction and altitude. This complicates the prediction of its trajectory.

Such systems include the Russian Avangard, the Chinese DF-17, and the American AGM-183A ARRW.

The latter is launched from an aircraft, but, unlike the Kinzhal, uses a separate gliding vehicle.

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A hypersonic cruise missile travels even lower, usually at an altitude of about 20-40 kilometers. For a significant part of its route, it maintains speed with its own engine and can maneuver. This is its main difference from a glide vehicle, which moves without an engine after acceleration.

Russia classifies the Zircon as this type, although not all stated characteristics of the missile have received independent confirmation. The U.S. is developing a similar system, HACM.

Flight at a lower altitude has a significant advantage. Due to the Earth's curvature, ground-based radars may detect such a missile later than a ballistic one, which ascends high above the atmosphere. Combined with high speed and the ability to maneuver, this leaves anti-missile defense less time to react.

In this regard, hypersonic speed is considered to be at least five times the speed of sound. Many ballistic missiles also achieve such speeds. Therefore, in modern understanding, the main feature of hypersonic weapons lies in combining immense speed with the ability to significantly alter trajectory during flight.

What Different Countries Are Betting On

The choice of missile weaponry depends on each country's military objectives and capabilities. Ballistic missiles allow strikes over long distances without the use of combat aviation, which is especially important for states with weak air forces. At the same time, the development of anti-missile defense stimulates the creation of more maneuverable aeroballistic and hypersonic systems. They are more complex and expensive, which is why even leading military powers continue to improve traditional ballistic missiles.

Russia and China were among the first to adopt modern hypersonic glide systems. The Russian Avangard is primarily intended for nuclear deterrence, while the Chinese DF-17 is designed for strikes against military targets at shorter distances. Russia also uses aeroballistic Kinzhals and presents the Zircon as a hypersonic cruise missile. Both countries continue to develop ballistic armaments.

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The U.S. is developing several types of missiles simultaneously. In addition to ballistic PrSMs, they are developing the hypersonic cruise missile HACM and the AGM-183A ARRW system with a glide vehicle.

In parallel, the United States is developing hypersonic technologies with its allies. In 2021, Washington, London, and Canberra, within the framework of the AUKUS defense partnership, agreed to jointly work on such weapons and means of defense against them, and in 2024, they coordinated joint tests.

In Europe, France and the United Kingdom have the most developed programs. Both countries possess submarine-launched ballistic missiles for nuclear deterrence. Additionally, in January 2026, the United Kingdom announced the development of the Nightfall ballistic missile with a range of over 500 kilometers, intended for Ukraine.

France is separately developing two types of hypersonic weapons. In 2023, it tested the experimental VMaX glide vehicle, and is now developing the ASN4G hypersonic missile, intended for aerial nuclear deterrence. It is planned for adoption around 2035.

Germany, Poland, Italy, and Sweden, along with France and the United Kingdom, participate in the European ELSA initiative. It envisages joint development and procurement of various long-range strike capabilities, including new missile systems. However, this does not refer to one specific type of missile.

In East Asia, developments are accelerating amid rivalry between China, Japan, and the two Koreas. The Japanese army this year received its own high-speed glide system, Type-25 HVGP. It is considered a means of striking targets at long distances, including in island defense.

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South Korea is developing heavy Hyunmoo ballistic missiles, and recently for the first time tested its own hypersonic glide vehicle. North Korea has a wide arsenal of ballistic missiles, including intercontinental ones, and also conducts tests of glide systems. However, their real capabilities and degree of combat readiness remain a subject of debate.

In South Asia, India is developing ballistic missiles and engines for future hypersonic cruise missiles. In January 2026, its developers successfully conducted a test of such an engine.

Pakistan also focuses on ballistic armaments. On October 13, it announced the testing of the Fatah-II ER missile, calling it hypersonic. However, the speed, trajectory, and other main characteristics of the new modification are not publicly disclosed.

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In the Middle East, Iran primarily focuses on ballistic missiles, which allow striking targets at significant distances with relatively weak combat aviation. Tehran calls the Fatah a hypersonic missile, but experts classify it as a ballistic system with a maneuverable warhead.

Turkey is also developing Tayfun ballistic missiles, with the manufacturer presenting the newest modification as hypersonic. Israel has developed short-range ballistic missiles LORA and strategic ballistic missiles of the Jericho series.

In Latin America, Brazil is conducting the most notable research into hypersonic technologies. Within Project 14-X, its military researchers are creating an experimental aerial vehicle with an air-breathing jet engine. Such technologies could be used in the future for hypersonic cruise missiles. However, for now, this is a research program, not a ready combat weapon.

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