Izdeliye 305: The helicopter-launched missile that Russia reckons is invincible

A missile is being fired at targets in Ukraine that the Russians claim has never been jammed or shot down.

The Legkaya Mnogotselevaya Upravlyayemaya Raketa (LMUR), which translates to Light Multi-Purpose Guided Rocket, is a Russian air-to-surface missile.

It also goes by the name Izdeliye 305, or Project 305, and can be launched from Mi-28 Havoc and Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopters.

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The LMUR, which has a range of 15km and travels at 230 metres per second, is equipped with a high-explosive warhead weighing 25kg.

Once targets are marked, the helicopter is free to relocate, leaving a missile seeker to guide it to the target.

Use of a datalink also allows the missile to be fired from a greater distance – and for it to be switched to attack another target during flight.

Crucially – and unlike older versions – helicopters armed with it don't have to stop and hover to fire, making them less of a target.

In Ukraine, it has mostly been used against buildings suspected of hiding Ukrainian equipment and troops, as well as pontoon bridges or Ukrainian vehicles close by.

But Ukrainian ingenuity is always overcoming Russian innovation and no doubt this missile will meet its match in time.