IDF Rejects Houthi Hypersonic Missile Claim, Says Arrow System Hit Projectile But Didn’t

The ballistic missile launched by Houthis at central Israel on September 15 was not a hypersonic projectile, the IDF said rejectecting the Yemeni group’s claim. The Houthis claimed that they launched a hypersonic missile that traveled 2,040 kilometers in 11.5 minutes, withstanding all of Israel’s attempts to intercept it.The IDF said that the security establishment is currently examining the missile debris to determine its type and capabilities.They also stated that the missile was not precise, so its intended target could not be identified. Experts say that Houthis have only one missile capable of travelling such distances in their arsenal, and that missile is called Toofan.Experts say that almost all ballistic missiles intended to reach beyond a certain range move at hypersonic speeds during their trajectory. What makes a ballistic missile a true “hypersonic missile” has to do with its maneuverability within the atmosphere, an expert quoted by Haaretz said. According to the experts, the Houthi claim may have been an exaggeration as the missile may have attained hypersonic speed at some point during its journey.