Ouch!

[Squire Haggard]

Recently, I was surprised that some have never heard of this weapon. Is it new to anyone on here?

''A suspected U.S. drone strike on Idlib’s city center on Sunday has killed two senior commander of al-Qaeda-affiliated Horas al-Din, Qassam al-Urduni and Bilal al-Sanani. The strike targeted the commanders’ SUV as it was passing on a road in the western part of Idlib city. The SUV, a silver Hyundai Santa Fe, was struck with what appears to be two U.S.-made AGM-114R9X Hellfire missile.''

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[David1970]

If they were terrorists, good news.
From the video it looks like no civilian casualties which is a plus.

[LLPunting]

Oddly enough no blood on backs of seats, did it only take their knobs and legs off?   

Given the entry profile doesn't look like the missiles are spinning as they enter so no blending going on...

[scutty brown]

its been public knowledge for two or three years
being a powered missile, not a bomb, its not spin stabilised.
Being non-explosive, collateral deaths are reduced, as is damage to property.

At 1000mph impact speed it doesn't really need a warhead, the blades are a bit like unneeded gilding.

[LLPunting]

its been public knowledge for two or three years
being a powered missile, not a bomb, its not spin stabilised.
Being non-explosive, collateral deaths are reduced, as is damage to property.

At 1000mph impact speed it doesn't really need a warhead, the blades are a bit like unneeded gilding.

Will have to look up, given it's a guided missile already they are superfluous for flight stabilisation, sounds more like unnecessary fantasy accoutrements by scientists playing too much FFXIV.  If terminal is anything like you say then the concussive impact could've been deployed with more effect, it's also meant to penetrate buildings again don't see the blades being much help there unless they're so smart they can survive and deploy after breakthrough.  You could use something like delayed det-cord to yield a low radius thermal coup de grâce or a small WP payload.

[winkywanky]

The AGM-114R9X Hellfire, dubbed “Ninja Bomb,” is armed with a kinetic warhead with pop-out blades. The missile has been deployed in secret since 2017, with its existence revealed in 2019.


Jeez, sounds horrific.

But I guess if it hits the right target it's not indiscriminate, and having no blast means others nearby are much less likely to be hurt.