US releases first-ever footage of AGM-114R-9X Flying Ninja bladed missile strike.
On February 23, 2025, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM)
forces conducted a precision airstrike in northwest Syria, killing
Muhammed Yusuf Ziya Talay, a senior military leader of Hurras al-Din
(HaD), an Al-Qaeda affiliate. The operation was part of CENTCOM’s
ongoing efforts to disrupt terrorist activities in the region and marked
the first time the U.S. government publicly released video footage of
an AGM-114R-9X Flying Ginsu missile in action. General Michael Erik
Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command, stated that similar
operations would continue as necessary.
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The absence of an explosion, along with the observed damage pattern, was consistent with previous strikes using the AGM-114R-9X Flying Ginsu, a variant of the Hellfire missile designed to minimize collateral damage. (Picture sources: US CENTCOM and Open Source Munitions Portal)
On March 1, 2025, CENTCOM released video footage documenting the airstrike. The footage showed a vehicle traveling on a road before being struck by a munition. The absence of an explosion, along with the observed damage pattern, was consistent with previous strikes using the AGM-114R-9X Hellfire missile, a variant designed to minimize collateral damage. This assessment was supported by images from the strike site, which showed missile fragments with markings identifying them as AGM-114R-9X components. The observed damage to the vehicle, characterized by a star-shaped penetration pattern, aligned with the known effects of the R-9X variant. It is assessed that an MQ-9 Reaper drone conducted the strike, as this platform has been used for similar operations in the past.
The AGM-114R-9X Hellfire missile, dubbed the Flying Ginsu, Flying Ninja,
R9X, or Ninja Missile, is a modification of the Hellfire family,
developed to engage specific targets while reducing collateral damage.
Unlike conventional Hellfire variants that employ explosive warheads,
the R-9X relies on kinetic force and six deployable metal blades, which
extend from the missile body before impact. The munition entered U.S.
military service in 2017, with the first publicly documented use
occurring in 2019. In 2022, it was reportedly used in an airstrike
targeting the then-leader of Al-Qaeda, bringing further attention to its
operational role.
Official acknowledgment of the R-9X remains limited. A U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) spokesperson confirmed its presence in the U.S. inventory but provided no additional details regarding its use. No confirmed foreign sales have been reported, though, in theory, the weapon could be deployed by any system capable of launching standard Hellfire missiles. Reports in 2023 suggested that Israel may have used the missile in Gaza, but subsequent analysis indicated the munition in question was an illumination shell rather than an R-9X.
The release of video footage showing the AGM-114R-9X in action for the first time suggests a shift in the availability of official information regarding its use. The Pentagon’s decision to share this material appears to be an effort to highlight the role of precision-guided munitions in counterterrorism operations. The footage depicts a targeting sequence with crosshairs fixed on the driver’s side of the vehicle, with damage limited to that area while the passenger seat remained mostly intact. This corresponds with previous accounts of the missile's capabilities. The targeting FLIR footage shows the missile locking onto a moving vehicle before impact, further illustrating its intended function.
The AGM-114R-9X Hellfire missile weighs approximately 49 kg and is designed as a kinetic impact munition with six long, retractable blades that deploy in the final moments before impact. (Picture source: Twitter/Status-6)
The R-9X has been used in multiple operations targeting individuals traveling in unarmored vehicles, primarily in Syria and Lebanon. Its deployment has led to discussions on the strategic and legal implications of its use, particularly regarding intelligence accuracy and the operational limitations of non-explosive kinetic munitions. While it is designed to limit unintended casualties, its effectiveness depends on precise targeting data. The distinct damage pattern it leaves allows forensic analysts to identify its use at strike sites.
The AGM-114R-9X Hellfire missile weighs approximately 49 kg and is designed as a kinetic impact munition with six long, retractable blades that deploy in the final moments before impact. It retains the overall dimensions of a standard Hellfire missile, with a length of approximately 1.6 meters and a diameter of 180 mm, allowing it to be launched from platforms already configured for Hellfire missiles, including rotary-wing aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) such as the MQ-9 Reaper, and ground-based launchers. The missile relies on a combination of inertial navigation and semi-active laser guidance to precisely engage designated targets.
Unlike explosive warheads, the R-9X generates lethal effects through high-velocity kinetic energy and the cutting action of its six forward-deploying blades, which are designed to penetrate vehicle roofs and lightly armored structures while reducing collateral damage. The missile's accumulator and actuator mechanisms facilitate the controlled deployment of its blades, ensuring structural integrity until impact. The R-9X’s non-explosive design is intended for targeted eliminations where minimizing risk to nearby structures and bystanders is a priority. This design enables it to engage targets with a controlled impact radius. Other U.S. military low-collateral munitions include concrete-filled inert bombs and the carbon-fiber-body Mark 82 bomb, both of which similarly reduce fragmentation effects.
Unlike explosive warheads, the R-9X generates lethal effects through high-velocity kinetic energy and the cutting action of its six forward-deploying blades, which are designed to penetrate vehicle roofs and lightly armored structure. (Picture source: US CENTCOM)
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