The Kheibar Shekan hypersonic missile is the weapon which was used to strike Israel's premier Ramon airbase in the Negev just a few hours ago. Until now, Iranian claims of its capabilities have been impossible to verify, however we can now say the Islamic Republic has clearly joined the very small list of nations with such advanced weapons.
Kheibar Shekan is a 3rd generation medium-range ballistic missile of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. the weapon's name means 'Fortress Breaker', 'Kheibar' being the Jewish fortress that was conquered by the Muslims in the beginning of Islam, during the battle of Khaybar.
The Kheibar shekan is the world's longest-range solid-fuel tactical ballistic missile, able to deliver a 500kg warhead to targets 1450km away. It can operate from a variety of Iranian launch platforms, and has interchangeable warheads.
In the terminal phase, the HGV (Hypersonic Glide Vehicle) warhead separates from the main missile body and is able to accelerate and manuever in order to bypass ABM systems. Once separated, the warhead accelerates to mach 7-10. It uses both a thrust vectoring motor as well as actuating fins to maneuver. The distinctive triconic shape of the warhead provides stability whilst maneuvering at hypersonic speeds in the lower atmosphere.
Who is "we" and how are they able to make the statements in the first paragraph so quickly?
those of us that follow such things. We're nerds.