Israel reportedly utilized a supersonic missile with long-range capabilities during its recent strike on Iran, as per a report from Israeli broadcaster Kan, as cited by The Times of Israel.
According to US officials, a missile strike was conducted by Israel on a military base near the city of Isfahan on Friday.
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Israel has not officially confirmed the reports, while Iran has attempted to downplay the incident. In an interview with NBC News, Iran’s foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian referred to the drones used in the attack as “like toys our children play with.”
According to the Times of Israel, it is still uncertain which weapons were used in the strike. However, Israel’s national broadcaster Kan has reported that Israel utilized a specific type of missile called the “Rampage” air-to-surface missile. The report suggests that this conclusion was based on identifying the missile in photos and assessing the damage caused by the attack, which was consistent with a Rampage strike.
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) designed the Rampage specifically to target communication and command centers, air force bases, maintenance centers, and infrastructure. This lethal weapon aims to deliver maximum impact.
According to the company, the missile is a precision strike weapon that weighs 1,250 pounds. It is designed for long-range, air-to-ground missions and does not rely on a seeker for targeting.
Some reports, on the other hand, have indicated the utilization of a different kind of missile during the assault.
According to analyses conducted by the BBC and the Financial Times, it has been determined that the attack likely utilized Israel’s Blue Sparrow missile. This conclusion was drawn from the examination of wreckage that landed in Iraq.
According to Justin Crump, a veteran and CEO of risk intelligence, the wreckage is believed to be a part of the missile’s booster system that detached during its journey.
Israel’s Sparrow missile, as reported by the FT, is an air-launched ballistic missile with an impressive range of up to 1,240 miles. This missile is primarily utilized for testing Israel’s air defenses, as mentioned in The War Zone.
According to an anonymous source familiar with the matter, the Pentagon also suspects the possible involvement of the Blue Sparrow, as reported by the FT.
According to The New York Times, two Western officials have revealed that the recent Israeli strike on Iran was a direct response to Iran’s attack on Israel. The purpose of the strike was to demonstrate to Tehran that it could easily bypass its air-defense systems.
After engaging in conversations with President Joe Biden, as well as the foreign ministers of both Britain and Germany, it was decided to reduce the scale of the planned attack, as reported by the newspaper.
Business Insider reached out to the IDF and the IAI for their comments.
Last year, there were reports suggesting that the UK’s Royal Air Force had expressed interest in acquiring Rampage missiles. This move was aimed at restocking its missile inventory, as it had previously donated a significant number of its own Storm Shadow cruise missiles to Ukraine.
The Rampage offers a more cost-effective option, with each unit costing only hundreds of thousands of dollars, in contrast to the hefty $3 million price tag of the Storm Shadow. This information was reported by The National.
The missile can reach speeds of up to 1,250 mph and has a range of 190 miles. It can be launched from an aircraft or used as a stand-alone system. The missile utilizes GPS/INS guidance navigation and is equipped with anti-jamming capabilities. It is also equipped with a blast fragmentation or general-purpose warhead.
