Ukrainian engineers have developed a unique rocket called “DART,” designed to be launched directly from stratospheric balloons, ensuring complete immunity to enemy electronic warfare (EW) systems. According to the defense portal Militarnyi, this air-launch system represents a significant leap in cost-effective precision strike capabilities, bypassing traditional air defenses.
Developed by the Center of Innovative Technologies Program, the DART platform relies on specialized high-altitude balloons to lift the missile into the stratosphere, between 12 and 18 kilometers above the ground. Launching from such altitudes minimizes fuel consumption during the initial acceleration phase and provides the missile with substantial potential energy. Precision during ignition and flight trajectory stabilization across various release conditions is managed by high-performance servomotors.
The physical profile of the DART rocket is highly optimized. It measures 1.84 meters in length and weighs just 13 kilograms. The warhead capacity ranges from 3.5 to 10 kilograms, depending on the mission profile. Notably, the payload features specialized graphite submunitions designed to disable electrical grids and radar equipment by causing short circuits, neutralizing infrastructure without requiring massive explosive yields.
The core advantage of the DART is its absolute resilience to Russian EW systems. During the initial descent phase, the rocket utilizes a standard navigation system for guidance. However, upon descending to an altitude of approximately 6 kilometers, the guidance and navigation systems are completely shut down. Simultaneously, a solid-fuel rocket engine ignites, propelling the missile along a pre-calculated, unalterable ballistic trajectory directly to the target. Lacking active radio transmitters, receivers, or GPS reliance during this final phase, the missile becomes completely impervious to electronic jamming or spoofing.
This innovative project is a joint venture, with partners supplying the high-altitude balloons. Currently, the DART system is preparing for official recognition. In the near future, the weapon will undergo codification by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, paving the way for state procurement and mass production. This development highlights Ukraine’s focus on asymmetric, low-cost technologies capable of neutralizing the enemy’s technological advantages on the battlefield.