Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Ivan Havryliuk, talked about the creation of a new land-based version of the Neptune anti-ship cruise missile. The new technology affects the R-360 missile, adapted to defeat ground targets in the Neptune complex.

The flight range of the modified version of the missile is 400 km, which is significantly greater than its naval counterpart, which is 300 km. Additionally, the mass of the warhead was increased to 350 kg, more than double the original 150 kg. However, these figures are not final specifications as ongoing developments may lead to further improvements.

The new version of the Neptune missile retains the thermal imaging-based target designation system for target acquisition, a feature that uses pre-loaded images for precise targeting. It also uses the same launcher as the anti-ship version, providing seamless integration with existing systems.

The Neptune missile became known after the destruction of the Russian cruiser Moskva on April 13, 2022, which is a testament to its effectiveness. The missiles were launched from the Neptune coastal missile complex, demonstrating their strategic effectiveness.

PKR R-360 “Neptun” is a Ukrainian subsonic low-altitude anti-ship missile designed to destroy ships and land targets with a displacement of up to 5,000 tons. Promin was developed by the Kiev Design Bureau based on the Soviet Kh-35 missile. “Neptun” differs from the Kh-35 in its larger size and longer range, as well as a new control system. It can be used from ships, aircraft and ground launchers.

The missile uses advanced guidance and propulsion technologies that provide accurate accuracy and efficiency against enemy ships. An important feature of the Neptune system is its ability to adapt to a variety of conditions, making it versatile for a variety of tactical situations. The missile has a high subsonic speed, which allows it to approach and hit targets, reducing its visibility to enemy defensive means.

The guidance system is the most important component, using a combination of inertial navigation and active radar guidance. This guidance system provides high accuracy even in adverse weather conditions and against radio-electronic countermeasures.

Neptune’s propulsion system includes a turbojet engine that provides high subsonic speed and increases its stealth by keeping its flight path close to the sea surface, allowing it to evade radar detection.

The Neptune missile can be launched from land-based launchers, naval platforms or air platforms, but this also requires finesse. This flexibility allows for strategic deployment based on operational needs and threat assessments. Source