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]
There 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]
The Silver Sparrow version was first tested on September 2, 2013. [9] The launch from the Mediterranean was detected by a Russian ballistic missile early warning radar at Armavir, [10] followed by Israeli acknowledgement of the test over an hour later. [9]
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]
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]
There 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]
The Silver Sparrow version was first tested on September 2, 2013. [9] The launch from the Mediterranean was detected by a Russian ballistic missile early warning radar at Armavir, [10] followed by Israeli acknowledgement of the test over an hour later. [9]
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]