Sparrow (target missile) explained

The Sparrow (Hebrew: אנקור, pronounced as /he/) target missile is an Israeli medium-range air-launched ballistic missile produced by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.[1] The missile is currently used as a target missile to test the Arrow anti-ballistic missile system.[2] [3] [4] The missile has a modular warhead section and is capable of carrying a high-explosive warhead.[5]

Versions

There are three versions of the missile: Black Sparrow, Blue Sparrow, and Silver Sparrow. The Silver Sparrow version is designed to simulate Iranian Shahab-3 class ballistic missiles with a 1,500-2,000 km range.[6] The Blue Sparrow has a total length of, weight of and a range of on a high ballistic trajectory.

The Rafael ROCKS stand-off range air-to-surface missile uses a Sparrow missile booster.[7]

Operational history

The Silver Sparrow version was first tested on September 2, 2013.[8] The launch from the Mediterranean was detected by a Russian ballistic missile early warning radar at Armavir,[9] followed by Israeli acknowledgement of the test over an hour later.

The Financial Times reported experts identifying the Blue Sparrow, from its booster remnants, as the missile most likely used in the 2024 Israeli strikes on Iran.[10]

Notes and References

  1. News: Israel and US test Sparrow missile in Mediterranean . Daniel Estrin . Associated Press . Christian Science Monitor . September 3, 2013 .
  2. Web site: Amid Syria tension, Israel test-fires missile over Mediterranean Sea . Jim Miklaszewski, Courtney Kube and Alastair Jamieson . NBC News . September 3, 2013 .
  3. Web site: "Black Sparrow" Target Missile . Arrow Weapon System . . 2013-09-05.
  4. US-Israel missile test as Syria war tensions rise (+video) . Joshua Mitnick . September 3, 2013 . Christian Science Monitor .
  5. Web site: Israel Tests a new Target Missile Simulating Iranian Shihab 3 Missiles . September 3, 2013 . Defense Update .
  6. Israeli Missile Test Triggers Russian Warning System . Alon Ben-David . Aviation Week & Space Technology . September 9, 2013 . September 11, 2013 . November 1, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131101034438/http://www.aviationweek.com/Article.aspx?id=%2Farticle-xml%2FAW_09_09_2013_p30-612746.xml . dead .
  7. News: Air Weapons: Rampage Rocks . StrategyPage . 19 March 2019 . 24 April 2024.
  8. News: Israel Carried Out Test Missile Launch: Defense Ministry . Alisa Odenheimer & Calev Ben-David . Bloomberg . September 3, 2013 .
  9. News: Russia Detected Missiles Launched in Mediterranean, RIA Says . Scott Rose . Sep 3, 2013 . Bloomberg .
  10. News: Military briefing: the Israeli missiles used to strike Iran . Rathbone . John Paul . Zilber . Neri . Financial Times . subscription . 19 April 2024 . 24 April 2024.

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