Neither the CIA nor the US Department of Defence (Pentagon) have ever publicly acknowledged using the weapon or even having such a missile.
The top-secret weapon, also known as a ‘ninja bomb’ or ‘flying ginsu’, is basically a modified version of the renowned Hellfire missile which was an anti-tank weapon developed in the 1980s and was later modified numerous times, especially after the 9/11 attacks, to target individuals.
‘A speeding anvil’
The missile is designed in a way that it can shove more than 45kg of metal in order to kill its target, be it a car or building. According to some officials, they described that being targeted by the Hellfire R9X is equal to a speeding anvil falling from the sky.
The most lethal aspect of the R9X is the halo of six long blades which are packed inside that deploy through the skin of the missile moments before impact to ensure that it shreds anything in its tracks.
As per several media reports, the reason behind the development of the Hellfire R9X missile was to minimise civilian deaths. Experts believe that the R9X was used in Zawahiri‘s killing as images available in the public domain show no sign of explosion and the US officials have claimed that no civilian lives were lost.
Zawahiri’s targeted killing comes a year after the US military withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Taliban‘s takeover of the country. The US President said that justice has been delivered, adding, “No matter how long it takes, no matter where you hide, if you are a threat to our people, the US will find you and take you out.”
Previous uses
In 2020, the US reportedly used the weapon to kill an al-Qaida-linked trainer in Syria.
In January 2019, the weapon was used to kill Jamal al-Badawi (who had a role in the 2000 USS Cole bombing)
In February 2017, Ahmad Hasan Abu Khayr al-Masri (general deputy Zawahiri) was killed utilising the weapon while he was travelling in a car in Syria.
Some experts believe that the weapon was probably used to assassinate Iranian General Qasem Soleimani in January 2020.
Why is it called the flying Ginsu?
The missile was developed during Barack Obama‘s presidency in 2011 amid concerns over the number of civilians being killed in drone strike campaigns in the Middle East, the ‘ninja’ missile is so nicknamed because it foregoes the use of an explosive warhead. The missile is made by Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman.
There are six long blades inside the missile and are deployed through the skin of the missile just a few seconds before the impact. This ensures that anything in its tracks is shredded. It is different from the traditional Hellfire missile. It leaves no mark, no burns, no scorches and all that is left is the points of entry.
Because of this, the R9X is informally called the ‘Flying Ginsu’ – a reference to Japanese knives sold in the 1970s and 80s that were marketed to cut through aluminium cans and were exceptionally sharp.
This new variant weighs about 45 kg and can be launched from drones, helicopters, and aircraft. The US forces have fired these missiles from Humvees by their ground troops. Depending on the variant being fired these missiles have a range which can be anything between 500 metres to 11 km.
For the killing of the al-Qaeda leader, the US had used specific intelligence to target him while he was on the balcony of his house in Kabul.
The R9X variant can be launched by the MQ9 Predator drones.
(With inputs from agencies)