Sparrow (target missile)
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 was used initially in 2013 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]
By 2024, air-to-surface versions of the missile were used in attacks on Iran: Blue Sparrow in 2024[6] and Black Sparrow in 2026, for the initial standoff attacks of the 2026 Iran War.[7]
Versions
There are three versions of the missile: Black Sparrow, Blue Sparrow, and Silver Sparrow, each with a different maximum range and maximum speed to simulate different ballistic missiles.[5] Black Sparrow simulated Scud missiles. The Silver Sparrow version is designed to simulate Iranian Shahab-3 class ballistic missiles with a 1,500-2,000 km range.[5][8] 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.[6]
The Rafael ROCKS stand-off range air-to-surface missile is a conversion of the Sparrow target missile into an offensive weapon.[9]
The "Golden Horizon" missile might be another Sparrow derivative, possibly designed to target underground bunkers.[10][11] It was reported in February 2026 that Golden Horizon had been offered to the Indian Air Force as a long-range air-launched ballistic missile to be integrated on upgraded Sukhoi Su-30MKI platforms.[12][13]
Operational history
The Silver Sparrow version was first tested on September 2, 2013.[14] The launch from the Mediterranean was detected by a Russian ballistic missile early warning radar at Armavir,[15] followed by Israeli acknowledgement of the test over an hour later.[14]
The Financial Times reported experts identifying the Blue Sparrow, from its booster remnants, as the missile used in the April 2024 Israeli strikes on Iran.[6]
The New York Times reported that the Israeli Air Force utilized the Black Sparrow variant to destroy Iranian surface-to-air missile batteries during the 2026 Iran conflict.[7] The Times of India further reported that a Blue Sparrow was used to kill Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei.[16]
References
- ^ 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. Archived from the original on 2009-09-05. 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.
- ^ a b c Rathbone, John Paul; Zilber, Neri (19 April 2024). "Military briefing: the Israeli missiles used to strike Iran". Financial Times. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
- ^ a b Halbfinger, David M.; Bergman, Ronen (1 March 2026). "How the Assault on Iran Unfolded". The New York Times. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Air Weapons: Rampage Rocks". StrategyPage. 19 March 2019. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
- ^ "Did Israel Use ROCKS or the Secretive Golden Horizon Long-range Ballistic Missile to Strike Iran?". defensemirror.com. Retrieved 2026-03-04.
- ^ "Golden Horizon ALBM". www.globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 2026-03-04.
- ^ "Golden Horizon ALBM: Why Israel's secret missile is a game-changer for India". Zee News. Retrieved 2026-02-21.
- ^ "Israel Pitches Golden Horizon ALBM To Arm India's Su-30MKI Against Two-Front Foes". Retrieved 2026-02-21.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "The weapon that killed Khamenei came from 'space': How Israel's Blue Sparrow missile struck Iran - The Times of India". The Times of India. 2026-03-06. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2026-03-06.