Ukraine Develops EW-Resistant DART Rocket for Launch from Balloons

Ukraine has developed the DART rocket for launch from balloons. The system is designed to be resistant to enemy electronic warfare. 

The rocket was developed by the Ukrainian company Center of Innovative Technologies Program, according to Militarnyi.

The DART rocket is designed to be launched from stratospheric balloons at altitudes ranging from 12 to 18 kilometers.

Precise activation and flight path stability across the entire range of launch conditions are ensured by special servo drives.

The total length of the DART’s body is 1.84 meters, and its empty weight is 13 kilograms.

At the same time, the weight of the rocket’s warhead can range from 3.5 to 10 kilograms, depending on the configuration.

The warhead consists of graphite impact elements.

The rocket is guided by a navigation system; however, upon reaching an altitude of approximately 6 kilometers, the navigation system is completely shut down, the solid-fuel engine is activated, and the rocket continues toward the target without changing course.

Disabling the navigation system during the terminal phase prevents enemy electronic warfare systems from affecting the rocket’s flight path.

“The aerostats are no longer solely our own development but a joint project,” the company stated.

According to the developers, DART will undergo codification by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense in the near future.

There are also plans to develop a ballistic missile and a surface-to-air missile based on the DART platform.