The Sparrow (Hebrew: אנקור, pronounced [anˈkor]) 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
editThere are three versions of the missile: Black Sparrow, Blue Sparrow, and Silver Sparrow.[5] The Silver Sparrow version is designed to simulate Iranian Shahab-3 class ballistic missiles with a 1,500-2,000 km range.[5][6] The Blue Sparrow has a total length of 6.51 metres (21.4 ft), weight of 1,900 kilograms (4,200 lb) and a range of 2,000 kilometres (1,200 mi) on a high ballistic trajectory.[7]
The Rafael ROCKS stand-off range air-to-surface missile uses a Sparrow missile booster.[8]
According to Petagon leaks concerning the october 2024 retaliatory strikes by Israel on Iranian military targets 16 Blue Sparrow based missiles with the previously unknown[9] designation "Golden Horizon" were readied and cleared for use by the israeli military.
Operational history
editThe Silver Sparrow version was first tested on September 2, 2013.[10] The launch from the Mediterranean was detected by a Russian ballistic missile early warning radar at Armavir,[11] followed by Israeli acknowledgement of the test over an hour later.[10]
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.[7]
Following the Israeli retaliation leak, it is likely the ROCKS missile was used (sharing the same booster as Blue Sparrow) in the 2024 Israeli strikes on Iran.
References
edit- ^ Daniel Estrin (September 3, 2013). "Israel and US test Sparrow missile in Mediterranean". Christian Science Monitor. Associated Press.
- ^ Jim Miklaszewski, Courtney Kube and Alastair Jamieson (September 3, 2013). "Amid Syria tension, Israel test-fires missile over Mediterranean Sea". NBC News.
- ^ ""Black Sparrow" Target Missile". Arrow Weapon System. Israel Ministry of Defense. Retrieved 2013-09-05.
- ^ Joshua Mitnick (September 3, 2013). "US-Israel missile test as Syria war tensions rise (+video)". Christian Science Monitor.
- ^ a b c "Israel Tests a new Target Missile Simulating Iranian Shihab 3 Missiles". Defense Update. September 3, 2013.
- ^ Alon Ben-David (September 9, 2013). "Israeli Missile Test Triggers Russian Warning System". Aviation Week & Space Technology. Archived from the original on November 1, 2013. Retrieved September 11, 2013.
- ^ a b Rathbone, John Paul; Zilber, Neri (19 April 2024). "Military briefing: the Israeli missiles used to strike Iran". Financial Times. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
- ^ "Air Weapons: Rampage Rocks". StrategyPage. 19 March 2019. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
- ^ Pike, John. "Golden Horizon ALBM". GlobalSecurity.org. GlobalSecurity. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
- ^ a b Alisa Odenheimer & Calev Ben-David (September 3, 2013). "Israel Carried Out Test Missile Launch: Defense Ministry". Bloomberg.
- ^ Scott Rose (Sep 3, 2013). "Russia Detected Missiles Launched in Mediterranean, RIA Says". Bloomberg.
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